We are planning a trip to San Francisco in Oct. do you think we can get away with not getting a rental car?

Question

We aren't sure where we are staying yet, I was thinking the financial district. We want to do Muir Woods, visit the bridge, Chinatown, Alcatraz and Fisherman's warf. Can we do this cheaply on cable cars or buses or are we better off renting a car? Anything else you think we really need to see while there?

Answer 1

There's no need for a rental car, especially with your itinerary.

Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and Golden Gate Park are all accessible using buses, subways, and surface trams. Fares are $1.50 in the city proper (for a 2 hour period).

Cable Cars are $5.00 one-way and S-L-O-W, so if there's a bus, subway, or tram... locals will always take those.

Subway fares to SFO International Airport is $5.15 one-way.

Alcatraz is a national park, and the number of people allowed on the island is strictly controlled by the federal government. You'll need to book a ferry and tour beforehand (it's a good idea to do this several days before your planned visit to ensure a seat).

http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz

Muir Woods you can do through a Grey Line or Blue and Gold Fleet bus tour. Fortunately, they'll do all the talking on the way over, and leave you alone to wander when you get there (which is what most people want).

They always stop by Sausalito, an artsy and wealthy Italian-American enclave. This is where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spends much of her free time when she's not in Washington DC, BTW. Read into that what you will. Heh.

http://sanfranciscosightseeing.com/

http://blueandgoldfleet.com/

Answer 2

You can see some things on public transportation. However, to go out of town (Muir Woods) you'll need a car. You have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get there, so you could do both on the same day.

If you're staying in the financial district, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf are easily accessible. You get the boat to Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf.

Answer 3

Sure! I would suggest using the mass transit system which is reasonable in cost, has frequent service to nearly all bay area destinations and would avoid the traffic mess. SF Muni is the local provider in the city and operates the buses, streetcars, cable cars and subway/LRV. If your travels take you outside of the city, BART trains travel to mosts parts of the five county region as do the regional buses ran by various providers in each respective county. Often you can purchase an all day pass for a given system. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Driving a rental car in San Francisco will ruin your vacation. You will end up frazzled and annoyed with no place to park and if you do find a place to park, it will cost 25+dollars. Use public transportation: trolley, muni, BART, cabs or walk for anything you want to see in the city and rent a car only for muir woods.
PS. SF Dude has the right ideas.

Answer 5

Pier 39 is a wonderful location to visit in SF. I gave you a link to it below. The classic line-up of San Francisco tourist attractions includes breathtaking vistas, interesting architecture and copious amounts of the city’s quirky character. Many head down to Fisherman’s Wharf for a bowl of chowder or to watch barking seals before waiting in line for a tour of Alcatraz Island, the infamous federal prison. Nearby, the acclaimed theatrical world of Teatro Zinzanni is popular with locals and tourists.

Fans of traditional Victorian homes won’t want to miss the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square framed by the downtown skyline. Lookouts like Coit Tower and Twin Peaks encompass views of the entire Bay from the Marin headlands to the Berkeley Hills, and a drive out to Ocean or Baker beach will afford you a sweeping panorama of the vast Pacific.

Golden Gate Park is the obvious choice for visitors, but San Francisco has many smaller and important parks in virtually every neighborhood. Throw back a brown-bagged, 24 oz. Tecate in hipster heaven at Dolores Park; see new moms pamper their children at the playground atop Pacific Heights at Alta Plaza; watch kitesurfers and sailboarders tear through waves at Chrissy Field; observe tennis ball launchers used to maximize canine exertion in the Panhandle; join elderly Chinese at dawn for Tai Chi and Qigong (traditional calisthenics) in Washington Square.

If you can avoid the temptation to rent a car, you’ll get to know San Francisco as many locals know it: by public transportation and by foot. Once in San Francisco, BART and the Muni Metro system run down Market Street (SF’s major lifeline) and branch off along two main corridors heading South and West. If your desired destination is far from these routes, the Muni buses are your best bet and run very regularly almost all day. Maps are posted at all BART and Muni stations so you can scout your path ahead of time.

Answer 6

easy bus everywhere