San Francisco Transportation Tips by GUYON

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: We hesitated a long between San Francisco and Los Angeles to choose the place to begin our round trip in 2004.
We noticed there are more direct flights from Paris to SF than to LA, mainly because a part of the flights to LA have a transfer in SF.
There was also a light difference of price.
So we landed in SF at the beginning of the afternoon, with a 9 hour time lag.
Our choice was for United Airlines because we noticed they are often on time and because they have a good service especially the little indidual TV screens are very pleasant.
Time : 11:30 (Paris - SF), 10:30 (SF - Paris)
Price : 880 euros in June through Travelocity.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: We have searched the best solution for the car. The lowest price found from France was 1148$ for a Compact car for 4 weeks, tax and insurance include.
Finally, I discover Holyday Autos on Internet. They rent the cars of the other rent-a-car companies but cheaper. The idea is to make some saving on insurance. A comprehensive cover worths rougthly the same amount than the renting itself. Theft and collision damage are not really covered by an insurance company. The rent-a-car Cy prefers to self-insured them and to received a sum from the client for the waiver. HA makes mandatory the underwriting of the comprehensive coverage and reduces itsprice.
To avoid to be in competition with their partners, HA renunces to rent to locals.
So I paid 810$ for the car on the picture, with SLI, CDW, TP (with deductible, without personal accident, luggage and cancellation, all insurances provided by our VISA).
The car provided was given by NATIONAL.
Only concern : I prefer a 4 doors car even it is a compact...

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: During our first stay of 1998, we renunced to take the cable car because of the too long line at Powell (Market Street).
In 2004, we took the car (line PM) at Taylor (near the Fisherman's Wharf) without any line to do and we made the whole drive to Powell, comfortabily sitted to observe the driver handling its 2 levers with strength.
At the arrival, we saw how he made a U turn to place the car in the opposite direction.

The cable car have been invented by a man who wanted to relieve the horses. The idea was (and is still) simple and clever : a moving cable is in the pavement and the car has a grip to seize it in order to be pulled up.

Ticket : 2$

See the free : Cable Car Museum 1201 Mason street (10AM to 6PM, except on Winter : 5PM).

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'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: The steep slopes of the city need to be cautious driving the car or parking it.
In a sloping street, the cars must be parked perpendicularly to the slope or with the wheels blocked against the sidewalk.

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