Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Getting around San Francisco

This is topic Getting around San Francisco in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 02-09-2011, 09:36 PM:

I'm going out to SF in a few weeks and am wondering what is the best way to get around the city? I was there briefly a few months ago for one day with my car for a movie screening, and it was a pain the ass to find parking in most places I visited. Right now I'm planning on staying near the airport as it is cheaper and some of them offer free parking. I notice that BART is an option, but tickets seem rather expensive depending on where you're going. So would the best option be to rent a car there, or use public transportation?

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 02-10-2011, 07:48 AM:

When I was in SF, streetcars and feet worked for me. Cable car may also be an option.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 02-10-2011, 09:02 AM:

Check out the "F Market and Wharves" line. I have no idea if it provides useful transportation, but it's worth checking out because they use restored PCC streetcars.

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 02-10-2011, 09:11 AM:

Every trip we've made to SF we purchased the "unlimited" BART ticket. You use to could purchase it for a different number of days...i.e. 1 day pass, 4 day pass, etc. It seemed to be cheaper to do that. It's good for anything BART operates.

Don

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 02-10-2011, 09:40 AM:

The times I've been to San Francisco. I stayed in the Union Square area and a few hotels along Lombard Street near Van Ness Ave. . Many of the hotels along Lombard Street have guest parking included. Your right from SFO area to the city is alittle expensive at $8.10 one way on BART.

Posted by Emma Tomiak (Member # 1862) on 02-11-2011, 07:46 PM:

I agree with Don on the BART pass. When I went for a 3 day trip I purchased a 4 day unlimited pass. We stayed in the Union Square area and took a taxi in from the airport (worth it for the views) and a train back.

Getting around in the city, we used trains, buses, cables cars, trolleys, and our feet (make sure you wear comfortable shoes!). There was absolutely no need for a car, which I loved.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 02-11-2011, 10:11 PM:

When I went to SF 3 years ago, I bought a CityPass, which included most of the places I wanted to go anyway andn free tranist on everything but BART (the pass even included free cable car). BUT, SF is very easily negotiated on foot. One day I walked from my motel on Market (a Travelodge =- but DONT stay there!!!) to Golden Gate Park to Lincoln Park. I was REALLY disappointed in the city when it came to theatres, though. I spent a lot of times there when living in Berkeley in the mid 70's, and it was kinda depressing seeing so many of them closed 9or even torn down).

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 02-13-2011, 03:34 PM:

I checked the Bart site and they have passes for $45 but don't specify if thats unlimited or not. Is that about how much the unlimited tickets cost?

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 02-13-2011, 06:44 PM:

From their website:

quote:
BART fares are set with a mileage-based formula, therefore time-based passes (e.g., weekly or monthly) are not available.

So there's no such thing as an "unlimited pass."