Getting Around The Bay Area

Driving around San Francisco presents many hazards: the rush hour traffic, the unconventional outlay of streets and, of course, the legendary parking difficulties. Chances are that if you're spending much time here you'll end up using some form of public transportation at least once. Here's a rundown of what you need to know, plus where to find out more.

Muni - it's sometimes late and crowded, but Muni is woefully necessary for getting around San Francisco. It's also the way to see the real city and the best option for budget transportation. Muni operates buses, streetcars and cable cars in the city 24 hours a day, but service is limited at night.

Cable Cars - A trip to San Francisco is simply incomplete unless you ride a cable car at least once. If you really want to get to Fisherman's Wharf, take the Powell-Hyde line or the Powell-Mason line. Both start at the cable car turnaround at Powell and Market and end at Fisherman's Wharf, but the Powell-Mason line has the best views. It ends on the east side of Fisherman's Wharf. The Powell-Hyde line takes you right past the crookedest street (Lombard) and ends on the west side of the Wharf. The lines to get on at Powell and Market and at Fisherman's Wharf can be very long -- try getting up at the crack of dawn if you don't like to wait. Don't try to catch it at the stop on the corner of Post and Powell by Union Square (known locally as Fantasy Island); the car is full by that time and won't admit more passengers.
Otherwise, take the California line, which runs on California Street from Market to Van Ness Avenue. It's generally less crowded, and takes you through Chinatown, past Grace Cathedral and up and down some impressively steep hills. Hang on tightly and be careful to keep all body parts inside the cable car -- sometimes cars pass very close.

BART - Generally on time and fairly clean, BART is the subway/commuter rail to the East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond or beyond), Fremont, Dublin/Pleasanton, the San Francisco Airport and Millbrae. To view the current schedule for each line, visit the BART website.