Coming from Yosemite to SF...
 

Hi all, I need some advice on our upcoming trip to SF. We are arriving on Sat May 31 and driving to Yosemite. Will be in Yosemite for four nights and then return to SF for six days. We are planning on seeing Monterey, probably on the way back from Yosemite, though some suggest it is better to see it from North to South and not like we are planning. Then will stay in SF (have reservations in Lombard St motel) for six nights. We plan on seeing Muir Woods as well.

My question is this: We will be renting a car at airport to go to Yosemite, then use it for the Monterey trip, Muir Woods, etc. I would like to return the car after our travels, but still need transportation to the airport on our last day. So what do I do?? Seems like we should keep it for the entire trip. So many suggest not keeping a car, but seems difficult to return to airport early, then get alternate transportation back to the City. So, what do you think?? Is there any better way to handle the "car" situation?? We will have free parking, so that is not a problem. Thanks all.

You're right that it isn't easy to get to/from Lombard Street motels without a car. You'd have to take a cab, or a shuttle, or BART (but to do that, you'd have to get to the BART station, which would also require a bus or cab ride). If it were me, I'd keep the car.

Larger rental companies will have multiple rental offices in SF; you don't have to return the car at the airport. That said, while I wouldn't plan to use the car much in SF, with 6 days I would expect you to spend as much time in the surrounding area as in the city, and the car comes in handy then. Places like Ft Funston (to watch the hang gliders), Half Moon Bay or Pt Reyes, Sonoma/Napa, are more convenient with a car.

Where exactly are you thinking of visiting those six days? If only within The City, you'll find a car not only completely unnecessary but actually a nuisance -- few U.S. cities have made more effort at making cars unnecessary and inconvenient as has S.F.

I can't imagine the cost of renting AND PARKING a car for six days will be less than that for a cab ride from your motel to the nearest BART station.

If you plan to leave The City, then do so in your first few days there, then return it as soon as you can.

The OP said they'll have free parking.

The parking is free AT THE MOTEL, not while drive around the city. If you think you can drive somewhere in SF and then park there for free, then you've never been to SF! You're lucky if you can find a place to park at an outrageous price!

Can you find a car rental that will allow you to rent at the airport, to return in the city?

On the last day, to get back to the airport, shuttle or taxi would be your options. Pricier, but beat paying for car rental all these days.

Guys, yes, parking is free, but how much is the car rental fee?

How many of you are coming? Do the math - what is cheaper. Also, do you have small children or elderly with you? Sometimes it's worth it to pay for convenience.

PaulRabe, I live in San Francisco (well, I live in the burbs, but I work in SF). I wasn't suggesting they drive around the city, only that they keep the car for flexibility and returning to the airport.

If the rental fee is reasonable, since parking is free at your hotel, I would keep the car. There are plenty of places you may want to go where parking is available.

The Ferry Building, for example, has cheap parking with validation. Parking at the 4th & Mission garage (I think) near the Museum of Modern Art is reasonable.

You can park at the Exploratorium and Legion of Honor, and there is an underground parking garage at Golden Gate park near the new De Young museum.

I can usually find parking at the Cliff House by the ocean. It's fun to drive up to Sutro Towers for the view. I also can usually find parking in the Mission, or Castro.

You'll probably appreciate having a car when you have to go to the airport with all your bags.

You can park in the Embarcadero cheap with validation, too -- nights and weekends.