How to get around San Francisco

16.02.2024 - 16:17 / lonelyplanet.com / John F.Kennedy

With notoriously lousy traffic and next-to-impossible parking, driving is most definitely not the best way to get around San Francisco. Fortunately, there are plenty of other excellent ways to traverse the city. 

Most locals walk, cycle, ride Muni (the public transit network of buses and streetcars) or ride-share instead of taking a car. The city also has three cable car lines that are frequent, slow and scenic – and riding one is a must for any first-time visitor.

Here's everything you need to know to navigate San Francisco like a local.

Regularly ranked as one of the most walkable cities in the US, a bunch of major sights in San Francisco are reachable on foot in a day. Walking is also always the best way to explore a neighborhood.

An initiative started in 2020 sees numerous streets across the city close to vehicular traffic one or more days a week – and some, such as John F Kennedy Dr in Golden Gate Park, are now closed to traffic for the foreseeable future.

There are also plenty of guided walking tours on offer, but you can just as easily set off on your own for a great day of exploring, especially in such locales as the Presidio. It has a number of trails outlined by SF Crosstown Trails, which connect the city's neighborhoods, open spaces, and local trails. The epic, eponymous 17-mile trail from Candlestick Point to Lands End is divided into five sections, which can be tackled separately, and gives a great overview of the city.

San Francisco aims to be the most bike-friendly city in the US, and many locals have already jumped on the saddle. Many areas, such as Ocean Beach, the Marina and the waterfront, are ideal for cycling.

The city has an extensive bike network, and most sights are reachable on two wheels. The network covers 448 miles, and the travel authority has an online route map. The nonprofit San Francisco Bicycle Coalition also offers maps and information for cyclists.

Bike-sharing is available citywide through Bay Wheels. Both traditional bikes and e-bikes (electric bikes with removable batteries) can be hired from stations throughout San Francisco, the East Bay and San Jose and are available for single trips, day use or with monthly access passes.

Tips for using bike shares in San Francisco

Bay Wheels stations are located Downtown and at major intersections, but bikes come without helmets, and biking without proper protection will always be a little dangerous; consider bringing your own helmet to stay safe especially if hiring e-bikes.

Muni operates bus, streetcar and cable car lines. Buses and streetcars are referred to interchangeably as Muni. Some areas are better connected than others, but Muni spares you the costly hassle of driving and parking – and it's often faster.

Muni streetcars run