Vacation in San Francisco without a car?

[scottmandue]

Trying to think up a vacation plan for later this year, have not been to San Francisco in years and the wife and I have not been there together.

I am aware that the BART runs onto Oakland and S.F. airports.

So my evil plan would be to get a hotel outside town near a BART station and ride the train into town and to/from the airport.

Good or bad idea?

If a good idea any suggestions on a hotel

[masraum]

I think I'd get the hotel in town and ride the train to/from town to the airport. I was there for a week in 2014 with the missus for a mix of business and vaca. We rented a car for one day to go to Miur Woods to see the redwoods, but spent the rest of the week walking.

[KFC911]

We kept our hearts, but my girl and I left our footprints all over the place .

[emcon5]

Uber would probably be less hassle than toting luggage through a BART station, and a lot faster.

[Tobra]

Hotel in the city, public transit in SF is fantastic

[javadog]

It sort of depends what you want to do when there, and how long you'll be there. No way I'd have a car for the whole time, but I might for some days. I'd stay downtown, too.

Make a list of what you'd like to do when there and how long you have and I'll make some suggestions.

JR

[john walker's workshop]

No way I'd be stuck there without a car. Too much stuff to see out of town. In fact I wouldn't go downtown at all.

[MT930]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Hotel in the city, public transit in SF is fantastic

1+ Just did this stayed down at the Warf. Walked or rode cable cars around.

I did have a car but did not use it much.

[wildthing]

Uber or Lyft ... I would stay in the city though just to be able to stay late.

[Tobra]

I lived in SF for 4 years going to school, car stayed in the garage almost all the time, unless I was going to VA Palo Alto or something.

There are a few places near GG Park that rent bicycles. The streets in the park are generally closed to cars on Sundays.

[Tidybuoy]

Just my personal recommendation which is different from your original plan.

Stay at the Seal Rock Inn. It's on Geary Blvd all the way out by the Pacific Ocean and across the street from the Cliff House. Then Uber your way around town or take the bus.

Seal Rock Inn is way out on the West side of the Richmond district, relatively near Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, several miles from downtown and is in a very quiet part of the city. Views of the Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge and much less expensive than downtown hotels. The Official Seal Rock Inn Site: San Francisco

[Tobra]

Liable to be pretty overcast out at the end of Geary, but you will only be sleeping there.

[Hugh R]

I travel a lot, two cities I don't rent cars are NYC and SF, you don't need them, and driving is a pain. If you want to travel to NAPA or something, rent a car for the day. Uber, Lyft, BART, taxi.

[Tobra]

Driving in the city of no left turns is a challenge, parking is where it really gets tough.

[BE911SC]

Stayed at the Hotel Powell once. It's adjacent to the cable car turntable at Powell and Market. The cable car guys clang the bell on that thing until at least 11 pm. There was also a fire station nearby and they had responses all night long. Sirens and horns blaring all the way out and all the way back at least once an hour. Other than all the noise it was a great stay!

[kanadary]

Stay in town., and get a seven day muni pass. We normally stay by end of the powell line and market or by fishermans wharf

[LWJ]

Yes. Cars make it more effort.

[Ayles]

Posting from SFO Airport no car no problem. Plenty to see and do within an inexpensive uber ride. Done it many many times. Even in the pre uber days it wasn't bad.

Once you see the parking situation in the city you would wish you didnt have it.

[Cajundaddy]

SF is more fun without a car. Walk it, ride the cable, whatever. It is freeing.

[Tobra]

Cable car is a nice way to get around, should be pretty stellar weather. If you do the cable car, go on Friday instead of Sat or Sun, won't be as much of a crowd.

Bicycle is a pretty good way to get around if you have the legs for it. Only about 47 square miles, but there is a lot of up and down.