San Francisco Transportation Tips by sswagner

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Some may consider this to be a tourist trap. Others may not want to stand in line for awhile. However, this is part of the San Francisco experience. It is fun indeed. There are two types of cable cars in the city: The ones with wheels and the antique ones that latch on to a cable in order to move. I recommend trying the latter. They do not move very fast, so you get a good look at your surroundings. Tickets are only a couple of dollars, so it will not set you back too much. San Francisco is famous for streets that go straight up hills at a very steep angle. These cable cars can take you right up those streets.

One fo the most popular routes is from Powell Street (where BART has a station) to Fisherman's Wharf. You will go up through Union Station and then climb Nob Hill to the area right above Lombard Street. Then, you descend to the Wharf. Look for views of the Transamerica pyramid, Alcatraz, and the Bay Bridge. Some people prefer to sit while others like to stand. They fill those cars up, so there will be people hanging off the side.

You may have to wait awhile for your turn on a busy day, so be sure to plan some wait time. Yet, I think it is something you should do at least once. Cable cars are popular with both tourists and locals. Perhaps the mode of transportation seems outdated, yet I would not want to imagine San Francisco without its cable cars.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: Ferries are an excellent way to see the bay that surrounds San Francisco. The most popular ride is of course to Alcatraz. However, there are many other ferries that can take you to various points on and across the bay. You might want to try the ferry to Sausalito. It will take you near Alcatraz and then continue on to the peninsula that is to the north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

We actually took a self guided bicycle tour from Fishermans Wharf to Sausalito via the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, we took the ferry back to the wharf to complete the circle. There are a lot of bike racks on the ferry itself, so this must be a popular choice. By all means, find a way to explore the bay itself. It gives an excellent perspective of the city.

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Phone: 800-735-2922
Website: http://www.goldengateferry.org/

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Most visitors to San Francisco will arrive a the city's main international airport. There are direct flights to Asia, Europe, and all over the United States. This makes San Francisco an ideal gateway city. Once you arrive here, there is easy public transportation to the city. BART, the train network that runs throughout the bay area, now directly accesses the airport. This will provide a direct link into the city. There are also public busses that serve the airport. If you are mainly sticking to the city center, there should be no reason to get an expensive cab or to rent a car. You do not want to spend half of your trip looking for a parking spot.

Another airport, Oakland International, is just across the bay from San Francisco's airport. It has a bus known as Air Bart that quicly accesses BART from that side of the bay. Likewise, BART can bring you from Oakland into the city.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bicycle
Getting TO/AROUND: Although many people may not realize it, bicycle touring is an excellent way to see the city. You do not have to worry about finding a parking spot and you can go in whatever direction you choose. Yes, there are some steep hills in the city. However, there are some good bicycle routes here as well. There are local bicycle shops that will rent you a bicycle for the day. They even have route maps for suggested rides with very detailed and accurate directions. A popular route is to follow the shoreline from the wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge, cross it, and then go to Sausalito. Then, you can either cycle back or take the ferry back. The ferry from Sausalito had a bicycle rack on it.

We also rode bicycles in and around Golden Gate Park. That was also a very rewarding experience. Be sure to bring some warm clothes and carry lots of water. It can get windy at times.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: BART is an excellent way to get around the Bay area as a whole. You can take it between the airports and the city and also go to Berkeley. Trains are fast and efficient. They actually cross under the bay to access the other side. Powell Street Station is a popular stop because the cable cars are right there to take you further in. Embarcadero is also another good stop in the middle of the city.

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