Parking in San Francisco

[durbster]

I've got a couple of nights in San Francisco booked soon and will be driving there from LA. The hotel has a car park but it's quite expensive so can anybody suggest an alternative plan? The other car parks in the centre seem to be similar prices so I thought about parking further out for free and jumping on public transport. Never been to SF before so I don't know how practical that would be. Any tips?

And any hints on what to do with a couple of nights there would be appreciated too

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Do you need the car in San Francisco, driving in the city looks like a pain and car parking looked very expensive. The public transport system is cheap and efficient.

[durbster]

We're passing through so will have the car either side but don't need it while we're there. The public transport is supposed to be good so we were just going to park the car up somewhere safe then go and collect it when we leave.

[Mr E]

durbster said:

We're passing through so will have the car either side but don't need it while we're there. The public transport is supposed to be good so we were just going to park the car up somewhere safe then go and collect it when we leave.

It's what we did, though our hotel was in Oakland (strange place).

[chrisj_abz]

i parked up at the Milbrae transit centre once, just off the 101 near the airport. seemed to be plenty spaces but when i was there it was a weekend and quite quiet. that wasnt over night so cant say how secure it is and it is pay and display as well.

you can get the BART there to the centre of the city.

http://www.caltrain.com/stations/millbraetransitce...

[ViperDave]

have you considered the airport? Set up for overnight parking and good transport links. $18/day in long-stay.

Alternatively why not return and re-rent the car? Depends on where your start and end point are but generally no one way fees in CA.

Edited by ViperDave on Thursday 18th October 11:10

[anonymous-user]

Download an app called 'Best Parking' - I used it recently to find parking in a number of cities in CA. You input your arrival time and departure time and it shows you on a map where the nearest parking garages are, and how much it will cost you. It was spot on every time. Great little app.

[Mrs Pitstop]

Don't forget that you have to drive down Lombard Street, just to say you have! Even if it's far too tight to get any smoke in the tyres!

When I last went there (several years ago) we used the car for a few days to do the coast drive and to venture across the Golden Gate Bridge, but public transport is great so you don't need it to get around the city itself.

Enjoy! (now reminising and wanting to go back...)

[durbster]

Thanks all. I'll definitely try that app and I do fancy driving round the city at least once just to say I have.

Better check the rental agreement for airborne allowance.

[zac510]

chrisj_abz said:

i parked up at the Milbrae transit centre once, just off the 101 near the airport. seemed to be plenty spaces but when i was there it was a weekend and quite quiet. that wasnt over night so cant say how secure it is and it is pay and display as well.

you can get the BART there to the centre of the city.

http://www.caltrain.com/stations/millbraetransitce...

Just to note that link is for the Caltrain which is different to the Bart. Although Caltrain does go to SF it only stops at the main train station which is a cab ride from Downtown SF.

Here is the Bart website. The Bart stops more frequently in downtown, probably closer to your hotel. It's more like a tube train except it makes the tube look positively luxurious.
http://bart.gov/stations/mlbr/index.aspx

I think from memory Milbrae-SF is about a $5 so x2 and the others in your car $20 or so.. Might aswell just pay the hotel parking and not waste your time on a dingy train.