Overview
Within the compact city centre, walking is a pleasurable way to get around, but there’s a solid transport network backing you up when perambulation seems too pedestrian. San Francisco’s principal public transport system is Muni (San Francisco Municipal Railway), which operates nearly 100 bus lines (many of them electric trolley buses), streetcars and the famous cable cars. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is a convenient, economical subway system linking San Francisco with the East Bay. Ferries are a scenic way to get around.
A car is more of a liability than an asset in downtown San Francisco: hills are steep and parking spots few. If you’re considering a taxi, the best way is to phone.
For most visitors, the thought of hopping a bicycle in the city is gruesome–there’s too much traffic and the hills are fearsome–but the Bay Area is a great place for recreational biking.
Underground rail
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is a convenient, economical subway system linking San Francisco with the East Bay.
Ferry
Ferries are back in business, plying the waters from Fisherman’s Wharf and the Embarcadero Ferry Building to Alameda, Oakland, Sausalito, Tiburon and the bay islands.
Tram/trolley
Where else can you travel in a tourist attraction from one tourist highlight to another? As well as getting you around its three downtown routes, a ride in one of San Francisco’s old-fashioned, open-air, seemingly dangerous cable cars can be exhilarating fun. The subterranean rumbling on Market St is an underground light-rail run by the Sanfrancisco Municipal Railway (Muni), that weaves its way through downtown San Francisco. Downtown, Muni stations are the same as BART stations.
Bus
Along with the Muni light-rail and cable cars, Muni buses will get you almost anywhere in the city. A Muni passport allows unlimited travel on all Muni transports and is available from Visitor Information Centres, hotels and from businesses that display the Muni pass sign in their window.
Car
A car is the last thing you want in downtown San Francisco: negotiating the hills and trying to find a parking spot are going to stress both you and your machine. For travelling further afield though–up to the Wine Country for example–a car can be invaluable.
Taxi
Taxis are tough to secure in San Francisco; you may find phoning one easier than whistling or waving your hand on street corners, especially during peak hours, but even that’s no guarantee.
© 2005 Lonely Planet Publications. Reproduced with permission from Lonely Planet.
Last udpated on December 11, 2006
Content on this page reproduced with permission from Lonely Planet.
