I'm trying not to rent a car...to short of a stay (2days). Can I get away with using public transportation in San Fran to get around.I will be using it to travel day and night. Or should I rent a car.

I travel to San Francisco frequently and like to have a rental vehicle. I find it more convenient that public transportation (and I'm a New Yorker who uses public trans every day). Also, I like to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, up to Marin, Tiburon, etc.

Also, if you'd like to spend a day in wine country, you'll need a car.

Yes, you can easily get around without a car.

Hi Monica_S, I always manage just fine without a car while in SF but if you are renting a house in SSF won't you need a car? Or have you found a way to get from the house into SF? If so unless you have time to go to Marin County (which you might not since you will only be in SF two days) I wouldn't bother. Parking is so expensive, traffic is usually heavy etc. BTW, you can take the ferry over to Sausalito if you want to visit there and maybe have lunch. Personally with 2 days I would just stay in SF as there is so much to see and do. Just my two cents worth. Have a wonderful time no matter what you decide.

We parked our car at our motel and didn't need to use it until we left for Monterey. San Francisco's public transportation system is very good. Go to www.sfmuni.com and click on the 511 link; you can plan your routes and print maps.

Lee Ann

I reading others story here on Vegas restaurant called pink taco and mine eyes reading pubic transpotation. Sleeping now for siure.

AR

Avoid renting a car. It will create more hassles (and cost) than it is worth. Check with your hotel for the best bus, trolley, or BART lines. It's all good. And walking always works well.

Went to SF recently, 5 days, had no shortage of things to do, with no car. Took #5 bus out to Pacific Ocean and de Young Museum, biked across the Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf, visited the Haight, Alamo Square, Castro and Mission Dolores, walked up to Coit Tower. Did everything I wanted to & more! (Stayed in Mission/Castro though, close to transit.)

DAN

Does San Francisco's public transportaton run 24/7? I don't think so, in which case you'll need to take a cab if you're out late.

I'm often in the minority on this issue ... but I prefer to have a rental car for touring around (and in) San Francisco.

How else will you see Seacliff, the Presidio, Lincoln Park, etc?

I think the crux of this issue is the scope and duration of the trip.

For a short trip in which the person will remain in SF proper, public transportation is fine - supplimented with a cab here and here, esspecially late at night.

For longer trips in which the person will visit the outer reaches of SF and/or leave the city, a car is beneficial for at least part of the trip.

Yes. Do yourself a favor: Go to the tourist office downstairs on Market near Powell and buy a map of the transit system (it was $2.85). And, check out transit passes to see if they make sense.

Hotel parking in SF is about $40 a day.

If you like to walk, Chinatown, North Beach, and even Fisherman's Wharf are within walking distance of Union Square.

From Union Square, we like to take a bus to Filmore Street and then walk up the hill, down the hill, etc. Very interesting. Great bay views, etc.

I should give you my purpose for being in San Fran to give you a better idea in how to help.
I fly in Saturday 16th to SFO in the early morning. Renting a house on
Greenwood Dr. in South San Francisco. Wanted to do some shopping (fish. wharf) during the day, go back to the house (get ready) and possibly visit Cobb's comedy club in the evening followed by sometype of nightlife sight seeing (maybe a local popular bar.)
I will be attending the 49er game on Sunday the 17th (if I rent a car I will need a parking pass for the stadium $45.00).
Fly back home Monday morning the 18th. Please keep in mind I do not know the area. Would I be o.k to take public transportation? Would it be equally the same amount of money taking it than I would renting a car? I am trying to save some money. HELP?????

Hi Monica, you will be staying north of SFO and south of Monster Park basically. I don't know anything about public transportation to and from there. Hopefully some Fodorite with knowledge of South San Francisco will be able to help you. Best wishes, I hope you get this worked out.

Monica, I live in the city without a car, use MUNI every day, and honestly, I wouldn't be so brave to take buses to/from South City not knowing the area.

Are you under impression that South San Francisco is the southern part of the city? Believe me, it's not. It's a different city connected by a different system of buses and/or trains, depending on your location. It's an industrial city.

Sorry can't help you much, only to advise to look into Caltrain, BART, SamTrans - these are the types of transportation to connect San Francisco and the South City.

Gekko: yes, the MUNI system in the city is 24/7, some lines have reduced service, some lines go "owl" and the metro trains are replaced by groud buses, but the skeleton service is 24/7.

Considering your itinerary, I think it is clear you should rent a car rather than spend your valuable time trying to figure out the transportation system.

Hi Monica, I agree, I would rent a car also. Due to where you are staying I don't see how public transportation would work for you. Considering everything in this case I would think that saving time and more importantly safety would be the two top considerations.

Yes, definitely rent a car. Public transportation is perfectly fine in SF, but coming from outside SF, esspecially in the evenning, it can be tough and cabs will really eat into your budget. Public transportation to Candlestick Park is notoriously inadaquate. I can't believe that parking at the stadium is $45 now though - are you sure your information is correct? The last game I went to was 3 seasons ago and parking was $25.

You could very easily get by using public transportation if you wanted...people are acting like you're staying way out in the boondocks but SSF is only about 12 miles from downtown SF. There are Bart stations within easy reach (SSF, Colma, San Bruno, SFO) - San Bruno Station (behind Tanforan Shopping Center) is the closest to Greenwood Dr, less than a mile. There is also a CalTrain station in SSF. SamTrans has frequent bus service into SF and runs special bus service to Monster Park on game days. Advantages to using public transport are no parking fees and you could have some drinks and not worry about driving; disadvantages are it takes a little more time and BART stops running shortly after midnight.

LoveItaly, I'm curious how in one post you say "I don't know anything about public transportation to and from there" but then a couple of hours later you say "Due to where you are staying I don't see how public transportation would work for you." That seems inconsistent.

I looked up Greenwood drive in SSF. It's between roads 82 and 280 by a cemetary.

A woman alone in the evening in that unfamiliar area gets off a bus or a BART stop(caltrain is too far) and walks home??? I just can't picture myself in this situation, sorry, BlueStar, I disagree with you.

I decided to rent a car. I think trying to save money in this situation is making things harder on myself. Plus this way I do not have to rely on someone else to get me around.And that way I can come and go as I please...right... and not have to worry I will miss my next bus!Thank you everyone.