The current state of the economy means tighter budgets and less spending, especially for leisure expenditures. However, you can still travel and enjoy entertainment options that are not only cheap, they're free!

San Francisco is well known for its celebrated attractions and countless things to do. Many do not realize that many of these diversions cost little to nothing, from guided tours to historical sites and everything in between.

Put away your wallets, leave your credit cards at home and take advantage of the free offerings around the Bay City. While you are exploring these incredible destinations, you will need affordable lodging that gives you effortless access to it all. Check out five of the numerous free things to do in San Francisco.

Although it's easy to spend money at these attractions, it's also easy to not spend any money and still have an outstanding experience. This bustling waterfront area is a favorite attraction for tourists the world over. Brimming with amazing sights, sounds and smells, Fisherman's Wharf offers something special for visitors of all ages.

• Watch the many street entertainers as they dazzle you with their unique talents and skills
• Listen for the sounds of the barks and calls of the sea lions on Pier 39, where at certain times of the year, you will see up to 900 of these lively pinnipeds
• Visit the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop near Fisherman's Wharf where you can view the process of chocolate-making and enjoy a free chocolate sample
• Head to Pier 45's Musee Mechanique, a unique and free museum featuring mechanically-operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines.
• Make your way to the west end of the Fisherman's Wharf to Hyde Street Pier, a National Park boasting a fleet of national historic landmark vessels (fee to board vessels), a free visitor center, a free maritime museum (opening in 2009) and unrivaled views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge

Discover the excitement of Fisherman's Wharf and reserve lodging at Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf, your best bet among San Francisco hotels near Fisherman's Wharf. You can save on parking by walking just a few blocks to the wharf and stretch your dollar a little further with valuable San Francisco travel packages!

Experience a lush, urban oasis located within San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Stroll through 55 breathtaking acres of property to find more than 7,500 varieties of plants in this amazing attraction that's always free to the public. Formerly Strybing Arboretum, the garden opened in 1940 and is managed by the city of San Francisco. One of the largest gardens of its kind on the West Coast, the Garden is categorized into special collections.

Enjoy a walk on the Redwood Trail to be surrounded by giant centuries-old trees, take in the heavenly scents in the Garden of Fragrance or immerse yourself in the enchantment of the East Asia and moon-viewing gardens. The little ones are sure to love the Children's Garden where they can take a hands-on approach to gardening. Free guided walks depart daily at 1:30 p.m. from the Bookstore and Friend Gate.

If you're in the mood for some history, be sure to visit Fort Point National Historical Site. Built between 1853 and 1861 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the fort's purpose was to guard San Francisco Bay from hostile fleets. Occupied throughout the Civil War, troops were finally withdrawn around 1900 and the fort turned into a storage and training facility.

Between 1933 and 1937, Fort Point was utilized as an operational base for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Later, during World War II, the fort housed around 100 soldiers whose mission was to protect the Bay from submarine attack. The fort officially became a National Historic Site on October 16^th, 1970.

Today visitors to the fort will learn about the experience of African-American soldiers during times of war as well as the role of women in the military. Additional exhibits touch on the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, living and sleeping quarters of the soldiers who lived here and more. Take a self-guided tour or join a staff member on a free half-hour guided experience.

San Franciscans love their city and are proud to show it off. So proud, in fact, that citizens volunteer to take visitors on free guided history and architecture tours of the city. This non-profit organization, founded in 1978, is sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library and includes 200 trained volunteers.

Walks focus on various neighborhoods and districts of San Francisco and are offered every day of the year, usually lasting around 1.5 to 2 hours. Select from about 30 different walks available each month, with additional walks during the months of May and October. No reservations are required, but you can make group reservations for a small fee.

Wondering whether I would mention one of San Francisco's most famous landmarks? It would be impossible not to mention the Golden Gate Bridge in this list of top free attractions. The 2nd longest suspension bridge in the United States at 4,200 feet, the bridge spans the Golden Gate, where the waters of San Francisco Bay run into the Pacific Ocean. Welcoming around nine million visitors from across the globe each year, the bridge connects the city of San Francisco to Marin County as part of US Highway 101 and California State Highway 1.

Designed by prominent bridge engineer Joseph Straus, Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937. The bridge featured six lanes for automobile traffic in addition to convenient pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfares. Stroll or bike over this stunning structure and be sure to stop by the visitor's center on the southeast side to learn more about this world-renowned San Francisco tourist attraction and get a Golden Gate souvenir.

In addition to the above-mentioned San Francisco attractions and things to do, there are many more admission-free entertainment options in this city. No more excuses! With a world of FREE adventures waiting for you, it's never too late to start planning unforgettable and affordable San Francisco vacations. Save even more on your travel by reserving San Francisco lodging at Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf hotel, where kids always eat FREE*!

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