San Francisco - newbies
 

hi,
We're flying into SF, would like to spend 4 days there, then hire a car and head out to the coast.
Happy not to drive whilst in SF, where is best to get a rent a car after 4 days to head out, without getting caught up in downtown SF traffic/hills etc.

thanks :)
rebecca

Where will you be staying while in the city?

the best tip I can give you is to top stududley's post on San Francisco. Great information.

Driving out of SF is not a big deal (neither is actually driving in SF, it's not like trying to navigate Paris, Rome or London in a car) Yes there are some one way streets downtown that may require driving an extra block, but downtown SF like most US cities is laid out on a grid. If you pick up a car downtown you should be able to get to the major routes down the coast fairly easily. It would be much simpler than going to SFO--the other major area to pick up a rental.

I would make my selection by price and convenience to the hotel where I am staying. Thousands of drivers have previously made it out of San Francisco without incident from whichever pick-up location you select.

Hills are not a problem. Avoid the heaviest traffic by departing after morning rush hour.

Have a great time.

HTTY

PS I like this tour. It give a interesting glimpse of San Francisco at the time of the 1906 earthquake: http://www.victorianhomewalk.com/Vic...k/Welcome.html

Sorry, I gave an incorrect link for the Victorian house tour. This is it: http://www.sfheritage.org/

HTTY

Depends on where you are staying in SF, but you can rent a car near Union Square in San Francisco. There are about 5 car rental companies at on O'farrell Street corner of Mason.