driving in san fran
 

We will be in San Francisco for six days from August 1st thru August 7th. (There are 4 of us, two parents and two teens.) We plan on touring around the city for a few days and also take side trips ( wine country, Muir woods). Would you rent a car or rely on public transport and bus tours? Or a combination of both? We're concerned about the lack of flexibility but would driving be a nightmare? Any advice would sure be appreciated!

I'd group city days at one end, trips outside cty at other, and rent a car for the latter. a rental car will give you a lot more flexibility for your ventures outside the city. On the other hand, you don't need a car to see SF, public transportation is plentiful, easy, and safe, and parking is both a pain and very expensive. So you wouldn't want a car the whole time if you could help it.

Definitely agree with above! Add to everything else traffic, pedestrians, bicycles, cable cars, buses and streetcars and lots of one way streets. SF is not fun to drive in! We live close and try to take the train in whenever it's possible.

I'll take the opposite side of the argument...provided that cost is not a major issue. It is not cheap to park in the city, that cannot be denied. <BR>The convenience of having the car and the necessity of having it for trips outside the city make having a car at all times a no-brainer for me. Driving in SF is not as difficult as in many other cities in the US provided that your sense of direction and ability to read a map (preferably having done so before departing) are at least average. <BR>I would never take a trip to SF without a car. <BR>I do believe, though, that I'm in the minority.

Sam, I agree with you--Having a car in SF is the only way that we do it. I will admit that parking in certain areas at certain times can be a problem but in a car is the only way you can go down Lombard St. 10 times in a day.

I live in the city and sold my car long ago as it was an absolute pain to deal with.Parking here is a nightmare. Do the city without a car as suggested and then rent for trips at the end of your stay. There is absolutely no reason to have a car while you're here in the city.

Gail, you are so right! We live in Palo Alto, I have just returned from a day in SF on the CalTrain and realize that the reason I probably finding driving up to the city in the summer so awful is the abundance of tourists with rental cars who have to drive down Lombard Street 10 times a day! Give me a break! Perhaps the city should raise the tax on rental cars even further. Might as well earn some money.

Ellen- <BR>As you can tell from the previous posters, car rental in major cities is a personal decision. Which choice you make might depend on when you're from. As I live in Chicago (where I alternate between driving, taking public transportation and riding my bike), when I travel to San Francisco (which I do very often) I find it a breeze to drive in. Driving does allow you more flexibility, and if you're comfortable with city driving, you're probably comfortable with city parking. But the areas of San Francisco you'll want to see are in close proximity to one another--very walkable. <BR>As to comments from the poster from Palo Alto, suburbanites are rarely comfortable with city driving, which might be the reason they become so frustrated in the city. <BR>That said, if you do decide to rent a car, find a hotel with free parking (it can be done!).

Thank you, thank you, Caitlin, Sam, Kam, Ezron, Gail and Amy for your quick and helpful replies! I think we will use public transportation in the city and rent a car for our trips and not contribute to the traffic problem.

you will love S.F.!!! i go there every weekend and never get tired of it. i would strongly suggest that you take public transportation within the city. it is very easy. get a MUNI pass and a map and you can go anywhere. one thing you must try is the F-line. they are restored trolleys that are a lot of fun. it runs from market street to fishermans wharf. the two teens will like the Metreon (one block south of Market street at 4th and Misson). it is an entertainment center and is very well done. i suggest that you go there in the evening and view the beautiful city lights from yerba Beuna park. it will stick with you. While in the Market Street area, take a short walk to tadich grill. it think the address is 240 california. it is an old resturant that has excellant service and great seafood. they do not take reservations and it gets packed. i would suggest getting there after 1:00 PM but before 4:00 PM. Very good!!!! Another resturant is Greens in Ft Mason Bidg A. It has a great view of the golden gate and sunsets if fog is not a problem. Speaking of fog, bring a backpack to put a light jacket or sweater in. Depending on where you are in the city, it can be very warm or very cold because of the fog layer at this time. This way you can put it on or take it off as weather dictates. back to your question, don't drive in the city if you are not use to it. you can walk to most places and muni will get you anywhere you want to go, especially from Market street. One other hint. From market take Muni line (i think its 38) to Ocean beach. Walk up to the cliff house and have lunch right over the ocean. Sandwiches are $6.00 and the view is priceless. You will really enjoy S.F.

Thanks, Mark, for the great tips, especially the restaurants!

I am trying to find out kam ([email protected]) email address, can you help me at all?? Thank you. Carrie ([email protected])

Ellen, for more restaurant ideas, look for the recent thread "San Francisco restaurant ideas for Chinatown and North Beach Italian," which actually ranges beyond those areas a bit as well.

Amy, I shouldn't have mentioned Palo Alto because now you think I'm a timid suburbanite, uncomfortable with city driving. That was not my point at all. I lived in Chicago for 20 years and drove constantly, I lived in LA and was quite comfortable driving there and now I'm comfortable with driving in San Jose, which is larger than SF. My point is that driving in SF is a pain and very expensive and why rent a car which you won't need and might have to pay to garage (not all hotels have parking) when you don't need to waste your money? Even restaurants in SF that offer valet parking often charge for it, making a taxi a good deal in the evenings. I don't understand at all. If, in fact, you want to drive down Lombard Street 10 times a day, I find that really bizarre! Spend your money on a great meal or a good bottle of wine and enjoy SF.

No matter what these guys say a car is do-able in S.F. as loong as you remember that many streets are one way and once you get into the pattern your all set... No, as a tourist there twice I have yet to go to Lombard Street..but heavens knows in the middle of the night I stopped my husband from driving down one of those heart stopping streets,because we coudn't see the bottom LOL, LOL.. Our hotel had an agreement with a garage down the street.. and we found having one is very convenient... On the other hand taxi cabs are very reasonably priced in S.F. No, driving was not anightmare..we walked alot too...

Parrot Mom, certainly doable--we do it all the time, but you guys have a choice! Why would you WANT to do it? Anyway, Ellen, when you do rent your car I would recommend you take your kids to Point Reyes National Seashore after Muir Woods. That's putting the car to good use! enjoy.