World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
To avoid steep hills and aching feet, the city’s transport authority, San Francisco Municipal Railway – Muni (tel: (415) 673 6864; fax (415) 923 6166; website: www.sfmuni.com and www.transitinfo.org) operates trolley cars, buses, streetcars, cable cars and a light rail system, for a 24-hour service to all areas of the city. The Bay Area Travel Info line (tel: 511) has automated information on most routes and traffic.

San Francisco has many different types of above-ground vehicles covering the same routes. Buses, trolleys (with wire cable) and streetcars all cover the same routes and command the same adult fare of US$1.25. These operate citywide, with the name, destination and line number displayed on the front of the bus. Stops are designated by pole signs and curb and street markings. Tickets are purchased upon boarding and exact change is required. Historic streetcars run similar routes, every six-15 minutes. The cars come from as far away as Italy and date back to 1928, with US$14 million spent on restoring and maintaining them. Fare is also US$1.25 and is purchased upon boarding.

Cable cars, which run three routes (see Key Attractions) and provide some of the best views in the city, cost US$3. Passengers can buy tickets on-board (exact change is required) or from kiosks located at the cable car turnarounds.

Muni light rail, costing US$1.25 per ride, travels along Market Street to the Mission District and Noe Valley (J line), the Ingleside district (K line), the Sunset District (L, M, and N lines), and the Castro, Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf (F line). Transfers are issued and are good for bus-to-rail or rail-to-bus connections within 90 minutes.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system (tel: (650) 989 2278; website: www.bart.gov) operates San Francisco’s subway, which runs along Market Street stopping at The Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center and links San Francisco with East Bay and Daly City. It operates from early morning (exact hours of service depend on the line: some Muni lines begin at 0430 on weekdays; others at 0730, others claim to be 24-hours) until 2400. Tickets (from US$1.15 to US$6.90) are available for purchase from machines located in the stations.

Muni Passports are available for one day (US$9), three days (US$15) or seven days (US$20) and allow for unlimited travel on Muni services. These passes are sold at a number of venues, including the ticket booth at the cable car turnaround at Powell Street and Market Street, as well as the Visitor Information Center, lower level, Hallidie Plaza, Powell Street and Market Street. A comprehensive map of all Muni routes costs US$2 and is available from local bookstores, newspaper stands and corner shops.

Ferries depart from the Ferry Building, The Embarcadero, located at the east end of Market Street – once the world’s second busiest passenger terminal, handling 100,000 daily ferry commuters. Regular crossings go to and from Bay communities. Sausalito and Larkspur are served by the Golden Gate Ferry (tel: (415) 923 2000), which leaves from the south wing of the Ferry Building and makes frequent crossings, taking 30-45 minutes. Tickets are sold on-board. Blue and Gold Fleet (tel: (415) 705 5555; website: www.blueandgoldfleet.com or www.telesails.com), Red and White Fleet (tel: (415) 673 2900; website: www.redandwhite.com) and Vallejo Baylink (tel: (707) 643 3779; website: www.baylinkferry.com) run daily services from the Ferry Building (weekdays only for Tiburon) and Pier 41, Fisherman’s Wharf, serving Oakland, Alameda, Vallejo, Tiburon and Sausalito. Single fares range from US$4.75 to US$9.50.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and, despite reports to the contrary, hailing them is not difficult, although the wise passenger will book in advance. Prices vary but fares are about US$2.50 for the first mile and US$2 per mile thereafter. Tipping is customary, almost obligatory, and drivers expect about 15%. Yellow Cab Cooperative Inc (tel: (415) 626 2345) and Veterans Taxicab Company (tel: (415) 552 1300) are both reputable providers.

Limousines
Stretch limos are a common sight in San Francisco. A level of service to suit every taste is available, with some cars carrying up to 10 passengers. Many operate 24 hours a day and come fully insured, American Coach Limo (tel: (650) 876 1884) and All City Limousine (tel: (650) 757 9511) among them. Rates vary. A limousine from the San Francisco International Airport to Downtown costs approximately US$50.

Driving in the City
While arriving in San Francisco by car is a delight, driving around this city is not. Hills and cable cars, which have right of way, do not help. Parking is at a premium, car parks are expensive and the unwitting tourist can easily fall prey to a hefty fine. Regulations can be confusing and are aggressively enforced – pedestrians at a crossing always have the right of way and coloured curbs indicate restricted parking. It is important to note that, when parking on a hill, the driver must curb the wheels to prevent a runaway and ensure that the handbrake is on. Wheels should be turned out facing uphill.

The Fifth and Mission Parking Garage, located where Fifth Street and Mission Street meet, is the biggest in the city. Other car parks include Union Square Garage, Geary Street, and the Ellis-O’Farrell Garage, located where these two streets meet. The cheapest parking lots charge US$2 per hour and are, of course, the first to fill up.

Car Hire
The best reason for hiring a car is to explore the magnificent coastal road, Highway 1, or for longer journeys, further afield. Most car hire companies offer deals that include insurance and unlimited mileage but drivers should be at least 21 years of age – some specify 25 years. A valid driving licence is required, while a second form of identification and booking ahead is advised. Alamo (tel: (800) 327 9633; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (415) 885 5011 or (800) 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (415) 292 8400 or (800) 221 1203; website: www.budgetrentacar.com), Dollar (tel: (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollarcar.com), or Thrifty (tel: (415) 788 8111 or (800) 367 2277; website: www.thrifty.com) offer competitive rates. Daily base rates start at approximately US$45.

Bicycle & Scooter Hire
For those visitors who believe they can take on the hills, Holiday Adventures Sales and Rentals (tel: (415) 567 1192) hires out mountain and street bikes from US$5 per hour or US$25 per day. The more adventurous may want to sit astride a Harley. Eaglerider Motorcycle Rental (tel: (415) 503 1900) can turn mere citizens into easyriders from US$75 daily. Prices include helmets, basic liability insurance and unlimited mileage. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and hold a motorcycle driving licence.