Plan your trip to California: visit San Francisco

Located in Northern California, San Francisco is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The hilly city is famous for its perpetual fog, the Silicon Valley, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colorful Victorian houses, also known as Painted Ladies. If you're planning to visit San Francisco, you've come to the right place. We've gathered all the important information you need to know to plan your trip!

How to travel to San Francisco California?

Planning a trip to San Francisco? Lucky you! Depending on where you leave from, you have three main options for getting to San Francisco: by plane, by train or by car. Let's take a look at these different options.

Travel to San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (SFO) is the airport of choice when visiting San Francisco. The airport is well connected to dozens of domestic and international cities. It's also one of the most unique airports in the world. Did you know that SFO has its very own museum? Before you board your flight, you can visit the SFO Museumwell-connected!

Travel to San Francisco California by train

San Francisco has two main train stations: King Street Station and Emeryville Station. King Street Station is located on the Caltrain commuter rail line. It is approximately 3 miles from downtown San Francisco. Emeryville Station is located 10 miles from downtown.

Travel to San Francisco California by car

Again, depending on where you leave from, driving to San Francisco may be an option. If you are feeling adventurous, you can plan a road trip and visit San Francisco. If you're flying into SFO, you can drive from the airport to the city. The trip takes 25 to 30 minutes. However, during rush hour, the trip can take 45 minutes to 1 hour. You don't own a car? Why not rent a car from locals in San Francisco?

San Francisco: how to get around the city?

You have many options for getting around the city to visit San Francisco's iconic sites and restaurants (Golden Gate Bridge, Bay, National Park, Alcatraz, etc.). Let's see which one is the best for you.

1. Cable cars

Cable cars are San Francisco's historic transportation system. Located downtown, the cable cars run on three lines:

• Powell-Mason: the route begins at the corner of Taylor & Bay streets at Fisherman's Wharf. The route ends at the end of Powell at the corner of Market Street.
• Powell-Hyde: the route begins at the intersection of Hyde and Beach streets and ends at Market Street.
• California Street: the route runs along California Street and ends at the Fairmont Hotel.

San Francisco cable cars are a great way to see the city.

2. Public transportation with Muni

Muni is San Francisco's citywide bus and subway system . It includes buses, trains, cable cars, and the F-line streetcar. You can view Muni Map to plan your trip around the city. To use this public transportation, you can buy a Muni pass. A 1-day pass costs $13, a 3-day pass costs $31 and a 7-day pass costs $41. You can get a pass at the San Francisco Visitor Information Center. Located at the intersection of Market and Powell streets, you'll find lots of tourist information.

3. Public transportation with Presidio GO Shuttle

The Presidio GO shuttle system provides free transportation. It offers free daily service to and around the park. This transportation has two routes, the Downtown Route and the South Hills Route. The Downtown Route operates from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The South Hills Route runs from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The Presidio GO Shuttle is wheelchair accessible and has bike racks.

4. Rental cars

Getting around San Francisco by car is a great way to visit the city. At Getaround, we offer a car rental service that is easy and safe. All you have to do is create a new profile on our website. Upload your ID card and driver's license. Once your profile has been verified by our team, search for a rental car in your area.

5. Rental bike and scooters

You can get around San Francisco on two wheels with the many bikes and scooters available. The Bay Wheels bike share program offers 4,500 bikes and more than 6,000 docking stations throughout San Francisco. It is an affordable way to get around the city. Did you know you can book a guided bike tour to visit San Francisco?

6. Ferry in San Francisco

A ferry ride across the bay is a great way to travel beyond San Francisco. You can visit the quaint town of Tiburon for a panoramic view of the city. The Golden Gate Ferry takes you north to Angel Island State Park, Larkspur, Sausalito and Tiburon. The ferries depart from Gate B on the north side of the Ferry Building.

You can also take the San Francisco Bay Ferry to go to Alameda, Oakland, Richmond, Treasure Island and Vallejo to the east. You can board these ferries at the three gates south of the Ferry Building. You can also bring your bike on the ferry.

Best things to do in San Francisco

Now that you know how to get to San Francisco and how to get around the city, let's check out the best things to do!

• Golden Gate Bridge;
• National Park;
• Alcatraz, San Francisco's famous prison island;
• Fisherman's Wharf;
• Aquarium of the Bay;
• Asian Art Museum;
• Children's Creativity Museum;
• Stroll through San Francisco to visit the Painted Ladies.

Of course, this is just a small list of things to do in San Francisco. The city is known for its many cultural attractions as well as its many restaurants serving food from all over the world. You can also book a private tour guide to make sure you don't miss any of San Francisco's history.

Where to stay in San Francisco, California USA?

San Francisco has more than 30,000 hotel rooms and more than 110,000 short-term rentals. Because of San Francisco's size almost any hotel or room you book is an ideal location for exploring the city's iconic sites or restaurants. Book your hotel, visit San Francisco and enjoy the best experience.

Now you know everything you need to know about visiting San Francisco. You can plan your trip to the city and have a great time in this hilly city! Need a car for your trip in San Francisco? With Getaround you can rent a car from locals in San Francisco. It's easy, fast and safe!