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Historic streetcar on Market Street - San Francisco
Historic streetcar on Market Street
by zChris
SF MUNI tips and advice posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals.
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SF MUNI: MUNI Bus
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  • If you're heading out to the main tourist attractions I recommend the taking the bus or a cab. Traffic is usually congested, especially in places like Union Square, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf. Parking everywhere is limited and very expensive. Most hotels have a flyer with a map of the MUNI routes. A good route is the 45. It takes you from Union Street to North Beach to Chinatown to Union Square. The drivers are usually friendly and if you ask will tell you whether you're on the right bus and when you need to get off.

    You need exact change. A good deal is the Passport Muni pass. You can buy a one day, three day or week long pass that's good for Muni and cable cars.

    The bus can get crowded so keep an eye on your wallet or purse.

    The front seats are reserved for elderly or handicapped which means if you're sitting in that area you must give up your seat. It's also polite.

    Buses don't always stop at each location. You must pull the signal cord to alert the driver. And the back doors don't automatically open at stops. You must step down or push on the doors to open them. If that doesn't work yell "back door!" and the driver will open them.

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  • Theme: Bus
  • Website: http://transit.511.org
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    SF MUNI: Bus-MUNI
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  • $1.00 for up to two transfers within 2 hours.
    $34.75 gets you a city pass. For more information see the websites below.

    The MUNI busses go to every corner of San Francisco. You do NOT need a car to get around the City. San Francisco is so much more than Lombard Street and China Town. Ask a bus driver for a bus schedule and hop on to explore the many hidden gems the city has to offer. Combine your bus travel with MUNI Metro and BART.

    The "bad" neighborhoods: In my opinion, the city is safe enough to get lost in. Do not be afraid. As long as it's daytime and you use your wits, don't worry about the "bad" neighborhoods.

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  • Theme: Bus
  • Website: www.sfmuni.com
  • Other Contact: www.citypass.net
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    SF MUNI: MUNI
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  • MUNI Bus on Stockton Street - San Francisco
    MUNI Bus on Stockton Street
    by SteveOSF
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    If you don't have a car, you'll need to use MUNI while in S.F. The Municipal Railway operates a network of buses and light rail vehicles thought out the City. Be sure to get a transfer when boarding. It is your proof of purchase and provides free transfers within the allotted time -- usually about 2 hours. You can even use it for your return trip.

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    SF MUNI: Muni historic streetcars & buses
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  • The San Francisco Municipal Railway is called the Muni, and includes the historic streetcars, cable cars, and buses, but not the BART subway system or CalTrain. The Muni operates 24/7 and carries some 200 million passengers each year. Bus, historic streetcar, and Metro trips for adults cost $1.50, including a free transfer while the cable cars rip off tourists at $5 for a short ride over the hill. The Muni routes are very complex and seem to require at least one transfer to get anywhere unless you are along the waterfront or Market Street (the F-line runs this entire route)

    The historic streetcars have been in operation since the system was begun in 1962. The first historic streetcar (from Hamburg Germany) was purchased in 1979 and since then street cars have been acquired from 14 American cities and 7 international cities.

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  • Theme: Train
  • Website: http://www.sfmta.com/
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    SF MUNI: SF MUNI
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  • Getting around San Francisco is very easy even without a car. In fact, one really does not need to hire a car, as the transportation system (known as MUNI) is excellent. There are 5 subway/metro lines that go both above and underground. (It goes underground when it reaches downtown and is above ground in the non-downtown areas.) The 5 lines are the J, K, L, M, and N lines, easily accessible by the Powell Street Station (right by Union Square). Furthermore, there are a countless number of buses serving the entire city. Thus, whereever you want to go, there is definitely a way to get there without needing a taxi or car, with few exceptions (for instance, getting to Twin Peaks is preferable with a car as it is a very high vantage point and difficult to get to through bus). The fare for both bus and subway/metro is $1.50, and that fare allows you to board the bus/metro again for free during a certain allocated time (usually only 1.5 hour). After that allocated period, you will have to pay the fare again. ALWAYS retain your ticket (until it has expired), as it is your proof of payment, and without it, you can be fined up to $200! As for the Cable Cars, it is $5 per trip, and you are not given a certain time period in which you can ride it again for free.

    When you are downtown and taking the subway/metro, you will encounter large metro stations. Go to the MUNI booth, and you will pay your fare through the coin slots at the turnstiles. They only accept coins, so if you only have cash, you will be directed to a change machine in the station. After you have paid your fare by inserting the coins into the slots, push the turnstile and a ticket will automatically pop up. Again, retain this ticket! When you are not downtown, you will just board the metro/bus and pay the driver. For the metro, you will need to go to the very first carriage to pay the driver in the front, as there is no driver in the adjoining carriage.

  • Theme: Subway/Metro
  • Website: www.sfmuni.com
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    SF MUNI: SF Muni bus 30
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  • Hop on the Muni 30 line and you can get a cheap round trip tour of many of the best parts of San Francisco. We usually pick it up at Pac Bell Park or at home, in the Marina. This bus route goes through: The Marina District, Fishermans Wharf, North Beach, ChinaTown, Union Square, Market Street, SOMA and Pac Bell Park...For only 1.25.
    Oh, and make sure that you're not on the 30X. That's the express bus for the commuters. It skips the wharf, chinatown and northbeach and head straight for the finacial district.

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    SF MUNI: Buses are the best
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  • The buses in San Francisco are the best & cheapest way to get around, especially if you have children. You cannot walk up & down all those hills. An excellent way to see the sights in different areas. You can buy a ticket & transfer from one route to another.

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  • Theme: Bus
  • Website: www.sfmuni.com
  • Other Contact: 415-673-6864
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    SF MUNI: Busses and Trolleys
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  • Street Car on North Point Street - San Francisco
    Street Car on North Point
    Street
    by Easty
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    The transportation system around San Francisco is excellent. It will cost you $1 per person per ride with free transfers. It is the best deal going in San Francisco.

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  • Theme: Bus
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    SF MUNI: Trolleys
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  • These antique replicas of international trolleys run along the Embarcadero from Fisherman's Wharf all the way to the Castro District (past PacBell Park). It makes it very easy to see the sites along the waterfront.

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  • Theme: Other
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    SF MUNI: The bus is very dependable....
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  • The bus is very dependable. The hotels usually can advise you what stops you need if you are looking for something specific. Make sure though you heave exact change, I did not have exact change once and the busdriver told me I had to wait for next bus....
    The bus was fine for me. Cable Car also, but it tends to fill up with tourists....it is a very convenient form of transportation, but you can only catch it on certain streets, so look for the cable car sign and that is how you know it stops.

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  • Theme: Other
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