5 Free, Cheap and Fun Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco offers many great activities for all types of people. Whether you're visiting for the weekend, or live in the Bay Area, here are 5 things that are free (or almost free) things that the City by the Bay can offer:

1) Ghirardelli Square / Fisherman's Wharf / Pier 39

While many locals avoid this area like the plague, Fisherman's Wharf area offers many activities and is one of the best places to people watch. Start at the western part near Ghirardelli Square (there's always free samples of chocolate being given away at the store). Walk down towards the ocean and dip your feet in the bay. Walk east on Jefferson Street and say hello to the costumed bellmen at the Argonaut Hotel - take a peek inside the nautical themed hotel - before continuing down the street towards Fisherman's Wharf. You can pass by the Boudin bakery and watch the workers create animal shapes from the bread. Further down by Pier 39, you can watch the sea lions sun themselves by the west marina.

2) Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

Considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge is certainly a marvel to behold - get a close up look by actually walking this amazing structure. You can start at either end (San Francisco or Marin), or just walk halfway and back- either way it's a refreshing walk with fantastic views - try to time your walk during sunset. The Marin side of the bridge does offer amazing displays of the San Francisco skyline.

3) Take a drive on the Crookedest Street in the World

While originally constructed as a solution to the unusually steep grade of this particular hill, the 8 sharp turns on Lombard Street unwittingly became one of San Francisco's tourist attractions. Dozens of cars line up by Hyde Street to traverse Lombard's twists and turns - much to the annoyance of many of its residents. Try to visit on a weekday morning or afternoon when there is almost no wait. There are also steps on the sides to let visitors walk up and down the hill.

4) Watch the Cable Car turntable on Powell Street