Free S.F.! 15 Awesome Local Activities That Don't Cost A Thing
What’s better than getting something on sale? Getting it for free — duh! It’s our favorite four-letter word for a reason, especially since we live in a place where rents are priced for dot-com gazillionaires and not the rest of us plebians. So, we’re going to lighten your load, literally, and make your wallet so very happy in the process.
How so? Well, we’ve scouted this fine city for the coolest things to do, see, and eat, which won’t cost you a single cent. This includes fall’s highly anticipated exhibits, cooking lessons from top chefs, award-winning contemporary dance performances, and even complimentary beer. Hey, who said there was no such thing as a free lunch? Certainly, not us! Make room on your calendar. You’re about to be a cool, cultured city dweller with money in the bank. Reason to celebrate, right?
Free Run Club With Lululemon
Lululemon devotees swear by the butt-flattering properties of the company’s trusty workout pants, but they’ll also cost you a pretty penny. Membership to the run club, on the other hand, is free as the wind. There are three routes available for beginners (3 and 4.5 miles) and beyond (a 6-mile option). Runs start at Lululemon’s Union Square location and are followed by happy hour at the Irish Bank. Bottoms up!
When: Every Thursday, 6 p.m.
Where: Lululemon, 327 Grant Avenue (between Sutter and Bush streets); 415-402-0914.
Free Bagels at La Victoria Bakery
Dreading the workweek? Tackle that mountain of work by carb loading — with a free bagel courtesy of the Mission’s La Victoria Bakery. The breakfast giveaway starts Monday at 10 a.m. and goes until it runs out. While you’re at this Mexican panaderia, just try to resist the cases full of pan dulce.
When: Every Monday, 10 a.m.
Where: La Victoria Bakery, 2937 24th Street (at Alabama Street); 415-742-7120.
Omnivore Books In-Store Appearances
Omnivore Books should be the favorite bookstore of frugal food enthusiasts. Since it's a must-stop for book-tour circuits, on any given day, you’ll find chef-turned-authors really eager to tell you about their books and give you a live demo. Oh, the major plus? Sometimes you can sample free of charge. Nom.
When: Various days, check the calendar here!
Where: Omnivore Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez Street, Suite A (at Church Street); 415-282-4712.
Free Yoga at Hayes Valley Farm
When you’re focusing on your breath, why not get some fresh air while you’re at it? If you ask us, yoga is best enjoyed in an environment where you can really get your om on while connecting with nature. So, hit up Hayes Valley Farm for some outside sessions of complimentary yoga in the fields and led by mustached instructor Brandon Bosche. You'll know where to find us!
When: Every Tuesday, noon
Where: Hayes Valley Farm, 450 Laguna Street (at Fell Street); 415-763-7645.
Free Vegan Cooking Workshop
There’s nothing Vegan Hackers can’t veganize. In the past, the savvy folks have whipped up animal-free versions of Twinkies, ravioli, and corn dogs. Just show up with ingredients and boom, you're enrolled — no RSVPs are required. If you don’t have time to grocery shop, shell out a small donation — a few bucks — so you don’t feel like a jerk. In return, there will be camaraderie, that special bond only two vegans can have, and invaluable culinary skills to bring back to your own kitchen.
When: Every last Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m.
Where: Noisebridge, 2169 Mission Street (between 17th and 18th streets); 415-738-2341.
Photos: Courtesy of Omnivore Books (right) and Lululemon (left).
How so? Well, we’ve scouted this fine city for the coolest things to do, see, and eat, which won’t cost you a single cent. This includes fall’s highly anticipated exhibits, cooking lessons from top chefs, award-winning contemporary dance performances, and even complimentary beer. Hey, who said there was no such thing as a free lunch? Certainly, not us! Make room on your calendar. You’re about to be a cool, cultured city dweller with money in the bank. Reason to celebrate, right?
Free Run Club With Lululemon
Lululemon devotees swear by the butt-flattering properties of the company’s trusty workout pants, but they’ll also cost you a pretty penny. Membership to the run club, on the other hand, is free as the wind. There are three routes available for beginners (3 and 4.5 miles) and beyond (a 6-mile option). Runs start at Lululemon’s Union Square location and are followed by happy hour at the Irish Bank. Bottoms up!
When: Every Thursday, 6 p.m.
Where: Lululemon, 327 Grant Avenue (between Sutter and Bush streets); 415-402-0914.
Free Bagels at La Victoria Bakery
Dreading the workweek? Tackle that mountain of work by carb loading — with a free bagel courtesy of the Mission’s La Victoria Bakery. The breakfast giveaway starts Monday at 10 a.m. and goes until it runs out. While you’re at this Mexican panaderia, just try to resist the cases full of pan dulce.
When: Every Monday, 10 a.m.
Where: La Victoria Bakery, 2937 24th Street (at Alabama Street); 415-742-7120.
Omnivore Books In-Store Appearances
Omnivore Books should be the favorite bookstore of frugal food enthusiasts. Since it's a must-stop for book-tour circuits, on any given day, you’ll find chef-turned-authors really eager to tell you about their books and give you a live demo. Oh, the major plus? Sometimes you can sample free of charge. Nom.
When: Various days, check the calendar here!
Where: Omnivore Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez Street, Suite A (at Church Street); 415-282-4712.
Free Yoga at Hayes Valley Farm
When you’re focusing on your breath, why not get some fresh air while you’re at it? If you ask us, yoga is best enjoyed in an environment where you can really get your om on while connecting with nature. So, hit up Hayes Valley Farm for some outside sessions of complimentary yoga in the fields and led by mustached instructor Brandon Bosche. You'll know where to find us!
When: Every Tuesday, noon
Where: Hayes Valley Farm, 450 Laguna Street (at Fell Street); 415-763-7645.
Free Vegan Cooking Workshop
There’s nothing Vegan Hackers can’t veganize. In the past, the savvy folks have whipped up animal-free versions of Twinkies, ravioli, and corn dogs. Just show up with ingredients and boom, you're enrolled — no RSVPs are required. If you don’t have time to grocery shop, shell out a small donation — a few bucks — so you don’t feel like a jerk. In return, there will be camaraderie, that special bond only two vegans can have, and invaluable culinary skills to bring back to your own kitchen.
When: Every last Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m.
Where: Noisebridge, 2169 Mission Street (between 17th and 18th streets); 415-738-2341.
Photos: Courtesy of Omnivore Books (right) and Lululemon (left).
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