getting around S.F. without a car
 

We will be in San Francisco for a week staying at Worldmark near Chinatown. Since we won't have a car, is there any kind of 5-day or 7-day pass available for bus/Bart?
Also, I really want to go on a walking tour (or any kind of tour).
Any suggestions?

The MUNI visitor's passports (1, 3 or 7 day) are a really good deal. Unlimited rides on the buses, streetcars, even the cable cars. See www.sfmta.com

The (free) walking tours conducted by the library are fantastic. Do a web search for more information and the schedule.

Our favorite tours include the motorized cable car tour (which goes over the Golden Gate Bridge with a stop for photos and back, and all over the city) and the boat tours.

Note: Visitors passports do not include BART.

We just spent 7 days in SF without a car. We bought Mni pass for $24 and it was the best thing to do. It covers bus[ $1.50 each way], cable cars [which are $5 each trip] and we took public transportation everywhere. You can buy them in Union Sq. or at the Powell ST/Mkt. St cable car turnaround.

http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm

The SF Public Libary has FREE walking tours:

http://www.sfcityguides.org/

Deb

GMTA

What does "GMTA" stand for?

There are no passes for BART, only for MUNI. Muni is a system of buses, trolleys and underground in the city. BART connects SF with the East Bay.

You can either get a BART ticket with exact change, or put a bill and use the same ticket for several rides. Each person must have his/her own BART ticket, 2 people can't share the same ticket.

GMTA = Great Minds Think Alike

Lee Ann

We also really liked the library tour we took of Coit Tower and its historic murals.

The wife of our Fodorite StuDudley who always gives such detail and good information for newcomers to SF is one of the guides for the SF Library. She is a beautiful and fun woman. We had the pleasure of their company at our last Saturday's SF Fodor's GTG.

My husband had me walk all over San Francisco.

We went down to the piers in the afternoon and wanted to take the bus back. It took 2 hours before a bus would stop because they where all full.

I hope their public transportation has improved. 7 day stay and we could only manage to get on one cable car.

Karin, this just can't be true, you had to wait for 2 hours to get on a bus? Which line, do you remember the number?

If you mean cable cars, they are not exactly a transportation as we understand it. They are a tourist attraction, and yes, the waiting line at both ends can be 2 hours.

MUNI is can be bad at rush hour--but 2 hours is unheard of, even on the notorious 30 Stockton. As for cable cars during the height of tourist season, getting on the Powell car is like a Disney ride-which is why we locals never recommend that anyone rely on it as a mode of reliable transportation and why we recommend that people take the California Street car if they just want to ride a cable care

The best way to board the Powell/Hyde line is to join the queue at one end or the other. Lines are sometimes long, but move quickly. And, you'll be able to ride all the way to the other end. If you try to board mid-route, one car after another is usually full, so only picks up as many passengers as hop off.

Or, ride the California line. Almost as thrilling (just doesn't go past Lombard St.) and not ever as crowded.

Also, the Powell/Hyde line is not busy late at night.