We are arriving in SF on a Wednesday afternoon and plan to drop off our rental car and use public transportation. We're staying at the Golden Gate Hotel, which says it's between Union Square and the top of Nob Hill. There will be 4 of us, parents and 2 teenage boys. If we have a choice, would we be better off dropping the car at the Union Square office - or return it at the airport and get a shuttle or something back in? I'm not sure (1) how hard it is to get around SF and (2) how hard it is to get in from the airport.

Your hotel is only a few blocks from Union Square. Drop your luggage at the hotel, then drop the car and walk back.

That's exactly what we did on our last visit. Dropped off our luggage at the hotel then returned the rental. There are quite a few rental car offices on O'Farrell Street, across from the SF Hilton, which is where we returned our vehicle. For a Union Square hotel stay that would be the easiest.

Have you considered taking BART from airport to Union Square? I know that there are 4 of you, so cost might be about same as rental car, but it is worth a thought.

I think the fare was around $5 a person. We just did it last month and it was really pretty simple, even with luggage.

You pay extra for picking up a car rental at SFO, so it might even out.

Dollar is right on O'Farrell near Union Square. They do not charge for a one way rental/ drop off fee. Others might, so be careful.

We used public transportation the entire trip and it was very easy.

I HIGHLY suggest buying a MUNI pass. It was unlimited rides for 7 days for $24. This includes bus, cable car and trolley. The cable car alone is $5 each way! We really got our money's worth, we figured we got our cost covered within 3 days.

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

My impression was that OP was arriving in San Francisco with a car, not picking one up at the airport to get into the city.

In that case, it makes sense to drop it off in the appropriate car return place in Union Square.

OP, it is very easy to get around San Francisco after you leave the car. (You will be glad you did.) Public transportation is wonderful in the city.

Have a good trip.

You are correct, jtrandolph! I somehow took it to mean they were flying into SFO.