When thinking of traveling in the western part of the United States, the first option that pops up in many people's minds is self-driving, but in the downtown area of San Francisco, self-driving is a very unreliable option. There are various slopes of 20-45° slope in the urban area, and the driving skills of ordinary people may not be able to hold it. In addition, not only is it difficult to find parking spaces in the urban area, but parking is also super expensive. If you are not particularly good at driving, I advise you to give up driving.
Since driving in downtown San Francisco is so inconvenient, what alternative is there?
Ancient Cable Car
The old-fashioned bell car is a perfect match for the steep streets, and the bell car itself is one of the experiences of San Francisco and the city's "walking attraction". Powell St, near Union Square, is the terminus of the bell bus, making it easier to get a seat from here, and as a popular transportation in the city, you can't get on the bus anywhere.
Tips：
If you're just going to experience the magic of the car, it's a good idea to buy a one-way ticket depending on where you want to go.
If you're planning to take a ride on the bell to see the city's different "temptation spots", you might as well buy a one-day pass.
Price: $7 one-way, $12 for a one-day pass [$22 for paper] It is recommended to buy a ticket on the next MUNI app.
Trolley bus
The Trolley bus is a great place to visit some of the interesting shops, cafes and boutiques scattered throughout the city...... Discover the fun hidden in some corners. Some MUNI BUS stop signs are not very obvious, and they are rudely printed on the telephone poles on the side of the street, so you need to take the initiative to look up.
MUNI Metro
MUNI Metro is one of the most popular modes of transportation in the area. It can get to the heart of the city much faster than by bus, but it's also easy to miss some of the smaller but beautiful places.
If you are planning to spend 1-2 days in downtown San Francisco, it is highly recommended that you buy a one-day pass + download the MUNI app, which can save money and help you get through customs in San Francisco. The one-day pass also allows you to ride as many of MUNI's dangdang cars as you like.
Bart – San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bart primarily connects downtown San Francisco to the surrounding cities. Most of the people who work in downtown San Francisco live far away, and many office workers choose Bart for commuting, which is faster and more controllable than MUNI's buses, and can also take you to the entire Bay Area!
Tips：
To and from the airport, BART is one of the best options. From the airport to the city, it only takes about half an hour to take BART.
Taxi & ride-hailing
Taxi, like any city in the world, are just a hit, but the prices are not great, and there are fewer and fewer taxis on San Francisco's roads.
Taxis in San Francisco start at $3.1 and add $1.39 for each additional mile, and drivers are required to tip at least 10 percent when they get off. The number 333-3333, which is extremely obvious on the body, is the taxi reservation number.
The reason for the lack of taxis is that ride-hailing platforms Uber and Lyft have grabbed market share for taxis. Ride-hailing is the mainstream way to get around, and it's cheaper than taxis, with an average cost of between US$7 and US$8 if it's not too far away.
GoCar mini convertible
If you're looking for more freedom to travel, you can also try the GoCar, a dedicated rental car at Fisherman's Wharf, which was named "the funkiest and coolest invention of the year" by Time magazine.
GoCar won't let you miss out on San Francisco's hotspots, but it will also take you to many lesser-known but interesting places. However, the price is a bit expensive, 900+ RMB for two hours, and the driver must be 21 years old or older and show a valid driver's license.
Big Bus double-decker buses
In addition to the "mini convertibles" mentioned above, some "large convertibles" are also very eye-catching in San Francisco, and you will often see them weaving through the streets of the city. This is a very well-known local lazy tour bus, operated by Big Bus, especially for those who are too lazy to do the tricks.
Conclusion
In a fast-paced life, we're already trying to get on the road. When traveling, you don't need to use transportation as a way to travel, and you can really slow down and enjoy the transportation itself.