bkington1858

We will be visiting San Francisco during a long road trip. Realizing parking is a challenge, I made arrangements for a rental in Mill Valley, with the plan to take a ferry ( leaving car parked) to and from SF for site seeing and dinners.

Am I safe with that - or did I assume wrong?

We will be arriving Sat 7/4 through checkout Wednesday - when we move to Sonoma
- and yes, possible view of the fireworks also impacted the rental selection.

Thanks everyone.
Bev

SAB

You should check golden gate transit ferry service schedules to see if this is a good choice or not. Weekend ferry service is very limited. For example the last ferry leaves San Francisco for the Larkspur ferry terminal at 7:30 PM on weekends. Therefore your choices for dining out in San Francisco on the weekend will be limited unless you drive into the City which kind of defeats the purpose of staying outside of the City.

I don't think that the parking in San Francisco is such a challenge that I would recommend staying in Millvalley when the purpose is to visit San Francisco.

StuDudley

I would not plan a trip around seeing Fireworks on July 4. Lots of fog then.

Mill Valley is quite nice - but as SAB said, it is NOT San Francisco, if that is your focus.

Stu Dudley

janisj

>>or did I assume wrong?

bkington1858

I was afraid of that... Back to my drawing board!

bkington1858

Thanks again, everyone. Reservations made at another Fodor's recommendation - Columbus Motor Court.

That will take care of parking the car, and the reasonable prices will give us more cash to spend on great meals and tours!

janisj

Assuming you mean Columbus Motor Inn . . . good choice.

Michael

Therefore your choices for dining out in San Francisco on the weekend will be limited unless you drive into the City which kind of defeats the purpose of staying outside of the City.


However, parking in the Sutter/Stockton garage costs only $1 per hour after 6 p.m. The Fourth St. garage may be slightly higher.

Given the a ferry schedule that is more limited than the MUNI (public transportation) system in SF proper, staying in the outer fringes of SF, such as ocean side with free street parking, may turn out to be just as convenient as Sausalito.

clarkgriswold

I was going to recommend the Columbus but didn't know if your vacation rental deposit was refundable. Yes, good choice.

Dayenu

Check out motels along Van Ness (North part) and Lombard - they offer free parking.

Dayenu

And if you are stuck with Mill Valley, the system of buses to/from San Francisco is "Golden Gate Transit".

janisj

Hi Dayenu.

>>Check out motels along Van Ness (North part) and Lombard - they offer free parking.>And if you are stuck with Mill Valley, the system of buses to/from San Francisco is "Golden Gate Transit".

Dayenu