My boyfriend and I are going to San Fran July 21 - 25th and are not sure whether or not to rent a car. Will we be able to get around without a car?? Or will not having one greatly decrease the amount of sight seeing we will be able to do. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Marie

Marie-
Here's my list of what I consider the major Pros and Cons of renting a car in SF.

The Cons are:
* parking is hard to find
* parking is expensive, many hotels charge for parking your car in their lot or garage
* SF drivers are either clueless or super agressive or both

Pros are:
* You have greater mobility (eg you can go to Monterey or Wine Country for a day
* You don't spend quite as much time getting from point A to Point B.

While neither a pro or a con, I think that most places you will want to visit are close enough together that you can either walk, take a cab or take public trans. Since you'll be here for a relatively short time I'd use the rental car money for something else.

That all depends. If you are limiting your sightseeing to just the city than I would definitely NOT get a car at all. It is much easier to get around without one (and parking is way too sparse and expensive). Anyway, the best way (IMO) to really see the city is to explore it on foot. Plus you really can get most places you'd want to go by public transportation. Whatever you can't get to, take a cab. You can also get to San Jose and Berkeley/East Bay via public transport. If you want to go to Sausalito there is a ferry or you can go on one of the bicycle tours that will take you there across the Golden Gate Bridge, feed you lunch, then take you back on the ferry. Napa Valley -- you can take a tour there (and avoid having to drive after wine tasting) or rent a car just for the day and drive yourself. Have fun!

I often visit LA and rent cars all the time. I rented a car once in SF.
I didn't know if I was coming or going what was south and what was north (no sun).Couldn't have found a two-way street if my life depended on it.
Got back to the rental agency and took a cab! Barb

SF is a rarity amongst US cities -- one with an public transit system adequate enough to permit you get around without your own car. Indeed, for all time you are in the city of SF itself, a car will be a MAJOR problem (as noted above). For the rest of the Bay Area, a vehicle will probably be unnecessary. For two people, you'll probably be better off taking public transport.

Ah yes . . . I had forgotten about all the one-way streets. Also one more thing -- SF's infamous motto "no left turn" (one of MY favorites!)

I agree with all of the above posters that a car is NOT necessary in San Francisco. In fact it is a liability and not an asset. You can easily do the city by walking, or public transportation. The only thing about walking is to be prepared for some serious climbing.

There are also numerous tours of the city, Napa Valley, etc. that are much better than trying to drive

Just wanted to thank you all for your responses, they were very helpful. At this point we would prefer not to rent a car. Does anyone know if we can get to a restaurant called the cliff house by public transportation? What about the Presidio. Again thanks for your help.

Marie

Marie, You can get to either place on public transportation. When you arrive get a Muni sightseeing map from the Visitor Info Center at Market and Powell Streets. Caveat--wouldn't recommend the food at the Cliff House--it's very touristy. There are nicer restaurants also with good views. It's a nice view from the Cliff House, however.