Original English Free Tour

Free Tour in San Francisco

★ 9.5/10 1,354 reviews on freetour.com

Free pay what you want

Run by an independent local guide on freetour.com

Takes you to the guide's freetour.com page, where a free place is reserved directly. Nothing is paid here, and the walk is free, pay what you want.

Duration: 2 hours
Language: English
Meeting point: Union Square, corner of Post and Powell Streets
Where it walks: Union Square
Guide: Free SF Tour
What it costs: Free, pay what you want

Overview

The Original English Free Tour began in October 2015 as a local initiative, and it still gathers every morning at the corner of Post and Powell Streets on Union Square for a walk through downtown San Francisco. The operator, Free SF Tour, runs it in English, and the whole outing lasts 2 hours. It is free, pay what you want: reserving a place costs nothing on freetour.com, and guests pay the guide what they feel the walk was worth at the end.

Union Square plaza with its tall column and palm trees under a pale morning sky, a few distant pedestrians crossing the paving

The operator describes the route as covering most of downtown: Union Square, Chinatown, the Financial District and the Embarcadero, finishing at the Ferry Building. Stories along the way range from buried ships under the buildings and gold rush fortunes to earthquakes, the Civil Rights movement and Silicon Valley, and how each shaped the city's present character.

With no minimum attendee requirement and a start point at Union Square, this walk suits travellers who want a single introduction to the city centre before exploring on their own. Guides also share local tips in person, and everyone who attends is emailed the Manual Of the City, the operator's own guide to what to do and where to eat and drink.

Itinerary

Stop	What Happens
Meet at Union Square	The tour starts at Union Square, at the corner of Post and Powell Streets. The operator lists a daily 10 am start.
Union Square and downtown	The walk sets off from the square and moves through downtown San Francisco, with stories about the city's history and present day.
Chinatown	The operator's description includes Chinatown San Francisco among the areas the walk covers.
Financial District	The route continues through the Financial District, including the Transamerica Pyramid among its listed highlights.
Embarcadero and old Market Street	The walk reaches the Embarcadero, passing old Market Street and a cable car stop, with a secret rooftop terrace also listed among the highlights.
Finish at the Ferry Building	The tour ends at the Ferry Building on the waterfront. Total duration is 2 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the operator's own page will help you plan the morning.

Meeting point. The walk starts at the corner of Post and Powell Streets on Union Square. There is no pickup; everyone makes their own way to the square.
Language. The tour runs in English only, according to the operator. If you need another language, check the freetour.com page for the operator's other offerings.
Accessibility. The operator's page states the tour is suitable for people with reduced mobility. It is also listed as suitable for families with children, and as pet-friendly.
Paying the guide. Booking is free and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. That is the whole price model; decide your own amount.

Duration	Language	Meeting point	What it costs
2 hours	English	Union Square, corner of Post and Powell Streets	Free, pay what you want

After the walk. Everyone in attendance is emailed the Manual Of the City, the operator's guide of local tips covering what to do and where to eat and drink. It is a useful follow-up if the walk leaves you with a plan to fill.
Extra costs. The operator's page states no additional cost for the tour itself. The guiding is pay what you want, and nothing else is charged.

Common issues. There is no minimum attendee number, so the walk is not cancelled for small numbers on that basis. This is a downtown walk of 2 hours, so anything outside Union Square, Chinatown, the Financial District and the Embarcadero is not part of it. No food, drinks or transport are included, and everyone pays the guide at the end in the pay what you want model, so the final cost is yours to decide. Guests with an early flight or a tight morning should note the listed 10 am start when planning the rest of the day.

Free Sights Close By

Place	Free Or Ticketed	What Is Free	What You Still Pay For
Union Square	Free	Open plaza, free. The holiday tree and the Macy's windows are here in winter.	Nothing. There is no ticket to buy here.
Ghirardelli Square	Free	Free to walk the square and the sign plaza.	Chocolate, shops and restaurants are paid.
Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies	Free	Free park with the classic Victorian row view.	Nothing. There is no ticket to buy here.

Before You Reserve A Free Walk

Where Does The Tour Meet?

At Union Square, on the corner of Post and Powell Streets. The operator lists a daily 10 am start from that corner, and the walk ends at the Ferry Building.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

No. Pickup is not included, so travellers make their own way to Union Square. The meeting corner is on a well-known public square in central San Francisco.

How Much Does The Tour Cost?

Nothing to book. The tour is free, pay what you want: reserving a place on freetour.com costs nothing, and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. The operator states no additional cost.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children And People With Reduced Mobility?

Yes, according to the operator's page. The tour is listed as suitable for families with children and for people with reduced mobility. It is also pet-friendly, and there is no minimum attendee requirement.

What Does The Tour Cover?

The operator describes a downtown route through Union Square, Chinatown, the Financial District and the Embarcadero, ending at the Ferry Building. Stories cover the Gold Rush, earthquakes, buried ships under the buildings, the Civil Rights movement and Silicon Valley. The full walk lasts 2 hours.

What Should I Bring?

Nothing special is required. Comfortable walking shoes for a 2 hour city walk are sensible, and the operator's know-before-you-go notes list nothing to bring. After the walk, every attendee is emailed the Manual Of the City with local tips, so a valid email address used at booking is worth checking.