SF MUNI, San Francisco

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.

We used public transit (MUNI and BART) around San Francisco, mainly because we were afraid to drive (the angle of the streets confirmed my worst fears). However, we had a great time using the bus. Bus service, in my opinion, was very good. The best deal for the MUNI are the passports, which also give discounts to attractions around the city. When we were there, fare was $1.

SF has a decent Mass Transit system called MUNI which runs through almost all of San Francisco and Daly City.
Throughout the commercial downtown and parts China town, North Beach, Union Square you can only use the Cable Cars.

If you can handle the bus system, or can read the map, take the bus. It's a dollar and you get a transfer good for 90 minutes. If you want to travel up and down Market streets, take the Metro (subway). If you need to go to the East Bay or Oakland Airport take BART (transbay subway). If you need to get to the Peninsula, take Caltrain (commuter train). If you need to go up and down the embarcadero from Market take the F Train (train on overhead lines). Otherwise take a cab or walk. Driving is a pain in the ass and parking is non existent and expensive if you can find it.

Within the compact city center,
walking is a pleasurable way to get around,
but there's a solid transportation network
backing you up when going by foot seems too
pedestrian. San Francisco's principal public
transport system is the Municipal Transit
Agency (MUNI), which operates nearly 100
bus lines within the city (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
have enjoyed a modest revival in recent years,
and there are services from Fisherman's Wharf
and the Embarcadero Ferry Building to Alameda,
Oakland, Sausalito, Tiburon and the bay islands.

$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.

The Street Cars that make up the F-Line are a great way to get along Market Street. The F-Line also runs clear out to the Castro and down to Fisherman's Wharf via the Embarcadero. So, with fares at only $1 it can't be beat as a way to get around the major tourist areas.

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.