San Francisco parking: when it's free, and the rules

This map focuses on garages and lots that are free or effectively free. Street meters are not plotted individually, but here is how they work so you can read the block you're on. Everything below is based on official SFMTA pages; the posted sign on the meter is always the final word.

“No meter payment due” does not mean “free to park”

Even when a meter isn't charging, you can still be ticketed or towed for street sweeping, a red or blue curb, a no-parking / tow-away sign, or an expired RPP limit.
Red and blue curbs are enforced 24/7. On the three free-meter holidays, red/blue and tow-away zones are still enforced.
Parking in one spot for more than 72 hours is prohibited citywide.

Meter hours & free times

Standard hours: most meters are enforced 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Hours vary by meter, so read the sign.
Sundays: free in most of the city, but enforced in some areas (Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero, several off-street lots, and special-event zones around Oracle Park and Chase Center).
Free holidays (citywide): New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day only.
Rates: demand-based, from $0.50/hr up to an $8/hr cap; most meters have a 4-hour limit, green meters 15 to 30 minutes.

Curb colors

Red — no stopping, standing or parking (enforced 24/7; may be towed).
Yellow — commercial loading during posted times.
White — passenger loading, about 5 minutes.
Green — short-term parking (posted 15 or 30 minutes).
Blue — disabled placard/plate only (enforced 24/7).

Peninsula & South Bay note

Many Peninsula downtowns (Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Redwood City and others) run free public garages and lots, often with a posted time limit rather than a fee. Those show up as pins on the map with their time limit. Rules differ by city, so check the posted signs.

Sources

Rules can change and vary by block. Always confirm with the posted signs and curb colors before you park.