Vacation in San Francisco

You're planning a trip to San Francisco. It's your dream to see the Cable Cars and the Golden Gate Bridge, maybe also Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf. The question will be, how are you going to get around?

San Francisco is a compact city located on a peninsula between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. But even with a compact city you need to consider what to see in San Francisco and how to experience this location. In either case it's a good idea to check for Top Hotel Deals in San Francisco to book an accommodation from where you'll start your sightseeing trip.

If you come to the city by car, be prepared for traffic regardless what time of day you are arriving. As in most cities parking is a problem. In that location isn't enough parking and it can to be very costly.

Next point you really have to think about are the hills of San Francisco. The hills are part of the beauty and charm of the city. At first glance driving on hills seems not dangerous. But San Francisco has many streets that go up or down these hills, and a few of them are in truth steep. Locals occasionally enjoy in scaring friends on streets which appear to vanish into thin air with merely a yellow sign that caution against a "grade" or a "hill".

Whenever you're driving on one of these streets let us assure you the street goes forward on the other side of the point of intersection. Just make sure you've had your brakes checked. If you're not used to driving precipitous hills, they can be absolute fearsome. Most of these steep hills you can find on Nob Hill and Pacific, Russian Hill, Dolores and Buena Vista Heights. All of the most precipitous hills come along with stop signs at the top. Almost any cars you can rent in the U.S. are automatics and that's properly what you need in San Francisco.

Parking on the hills may also be a challenge whether it's perpendicular parking, which it often is on hills, or parallel parking. Just make sure you don't fall out of the automobile if you're on the downward-sloping side. It's a law that you always have to "curb" your wheels when parking on a hill to prevent uncontrolled cars. When looking downhill, turn the wheels of your car to the right. When parking uphill, turn your wheels to the left on a road curb. When parking uphill on a road without any curb stone, turn the wheels of your car to the right.

Market Street intersects the city diagonally. As a matter of fact, a lot of streets cross at odd angles. San Francisco isn't a city with an easy square grid of streets. There are also a lot of one way streets. All things considered San Francisco can be an infuriating spot to drive yourself.

Because San Francisco has more effective public transportation than most American cities, it can be a better choice getting round using public transportation. Especially up and down those hills to Chinatown, Nob Hill, Fisherman's Wharf, or North Beach you should take cable cars. Along the Embarcadero and Market Street ride on historic trolleys and buses. For the ride alone it is a pleasure to take them.

The Muni has a large system. The rate for basic tickets is $1.50; the cable cars cost $5.00. There are "Muni Passport" for 1, 3 or 7 days available. It can be a great deal, you are able to hop on and off without having to pay for each ride. Muni Passport includes the cable cars, but not BART. That is the subway that provides one line through the city. This passport you can get at many places in the city. For details look into the Muni website. Besides their internet site will assist you plan your tour through San Francisco online. It is also important to get a good transit map. They are offered at drugstores or transit booths or.

Another option is to walk between most of the popular places. You can reach most areas safe and easy and on foot, but have in mind that there are those hills you'll run into, therefore don't ignore taxis. You cannot go everywhere by Muni, so take hold of a taxicab when you want.

Of course, it is possible to drive in San Francisco, but you can explore it more comfortable with your own two feet, public transportation, and taxis. Driving with your car in San Francisco is a lot less stress. But the choice is yours, just enjoy your trip through San Francisco.