Free things to do in San Francisco

As the focal point of the Bay Area, it's no wonder San Francisco attracts millions of travelers each year. It's brimming with exquisite Victorian architecture, a diverse array of eateries and, of course, the famed Golden Gate Bridge. Visitors can use Thrifty Car Rental's affordable San Francisco rental cars to traverse Fog City, and they can even save some money with excellent San Francisco deals. Then, after you've picked up your vehicle and settled into your hotel room, head out to explore these free attractions:

Fort Point

History buffs will want to take their San Francisco rental cars down to Fort Point, which is situated along Marine Drive and offers free admission. It was erected in 1861 as a guard against Confederate attacks during the Civil War, and it's now known for being the place where actress Kim Novak jumped into the icy waters in Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo." While it was originally built for protection, the fort never actually saw battle, it has an interesting history. It was remodeled in World War I to be used as detention barracks, though it was never used for that either, and in the 1920s it finally found use as housing for soldiers and eventually became a National Historic Site. Visitors of the fort also get a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The art galleries

This city is home to a vibrant arts community, which visitors can explore by foot or with the help of their San Francisco rental cars. Many of them are free to the public, or you can spend some money to hire a tour guide to take you around. Located along Geary Street is where you'll find 49 Geary, a four-floor gallery that showcases contemporary works by independent artists. Ratio 3, Diego Rivera and Luggage Store galleries are also must-sees.