Getting Around San Francisco
Good Transportation in California's Hilly City
Cities built on hills are good exercise - for the young and the healthy. Or those who are used to dealing with hills. As well as buses and the ubiquitous cable cars, San Francisco also has historic trolleys and the subway.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
Getting from the airport to downtown and beyond is easy now that there is a station at the International Airport. Even if your hotel isn't near a BART station it is still worth taking the train (cost is a little over $5), then taking a taxi. The trains pass through the center of town to the Embarcadero where they then tunnel through to East Bay.
Muni Metro
The municipal transport system is divided into two - surface and subway. The routes include along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero inland to Church Street. This is in the Mission Dolores area. Here it then takes three different directions to the outer city.
Muni Buses
These are the most widely used as they go virtually everywhere you want to visit in San Francisco. From Fisherman's Wharf to Golden Gate Park and all stops in between. For example, take bus 15 from Fisherman's Wharf to Market Street, then take the 71 to the part and Haight Street.
Historic Trolley Cars
The trolleys are from around the world, with streetcars dating back to 1912 and streamliner PCCs dating from the 1940s. They have been renovated and are painted in their original livery. All of these and some trams from Milan in Italy.
For example, there is a red and black trolley from Moscow (Russia), a gray and red one from Osaka (Japan), a yellow and white one from Porto (Portugal), a green and cream one from Blackpool (England) and others from Australia, Belgium and Germany. There are also many from various cities across the USA.
These working museums make up the F Line which runs from Fisherman's Wharf to the Embarcadero, then up Market Street to The Castro district.
Cable Cars
The fun ride all first time visitors to San Francisco have to take. The consequence is that there are nearly always long lines. The really eager get up early and are in line at one end or the other of the routes before the cars begin operation. (There are places nearby to get a coffee and something to eat whilst waiting).
This costs $54 (children $39) and can be used on the cable cars, trolleys and Muni. They are a bargain as the travel is unlimited and they also include admission to some of the attractions.
If you drive to San Francisco, getting around the city can be confusing, to say nothing of finding somewhere to park. Best advice is to use public transport.
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