San Francisco is a compact city, just 7 miles by 7 miles, but getting around can be tricky if you don’t know the system. Here’s how to navigate the city like a local.
Muni (Municipal Railway)
Muni is San Francisco’s main public transit system, running buses, light rail (Metro), historic streetcars, and cable cars throughout the city. A single ride costs $2.50 with a Clipper Card. The Muni Day Pass ($5) gives you unlimited rides for 24 hours, worth it if you’ll ride more than twice. Cable cars are $8 per ride, or you can buy day passes.
Key Muni lines:
- F-Line (Historic Streetcar) Runs along Market Street and the Embarcadero using beautifully restored vintage streetcars from around the world. Great for tourists heading to Fisherman’s Wharf.
- N-Judah Connects downtown to Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, and the Sunset.
- Cable Cars $8 per ride, or you can buy day passes. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines are the most scenic. The California line is less crowded.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
BART is the regional rail system connecting San Francisco to Oakland, Berkeley, SFO Airport, and other East Bay and South Bay cities. Fares are distance-based (starting around $2). BART is the fastest way to get to and from SFO. The ride takes about 30 minutes to downtown.
Useful BART stations in SF: Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, 16th Street Mission, 24th Street Mission.
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The iconic cable cars are both a transit system and a tourist attraction. A single ride costs $8 (free with a Muni Day Pass). There are three lines:
- Powell-Hyde The most scenic. Ends near Ghirardelli Square with stunning Bay views.
- Powell-Mason Ends near Fisherman’s Wharf. Often has shorter lines.
- California Street Runs east-west through Nob Hill. Less touristy, more practical.
Walking
Walking is one of the best ways to experience San Francisco, just be prepared for hills. Flat-friendly routes include the Embarcadero waterfront, Golden Gate Park, and most of the Mission District. Bring comfortable shoes and embrace the hills. The views from the top are always worth it.
Biking
The Golden Gate Bridge bike ride (with a ferry return from Sausalito) is one of the top things to do in the city. Bay Wheels (the local bike share) has stations throughout downtown and popular neighborhoods. E-bikes make the hills much more manageable.
Rideshare & Taxis
Uber and Lyft were both founded in San Francisco, and they’re widely available. Useful for late nights, steep hills, or trips to neighborhoods with limited transit. Traditional taxis are also available but less common than rideshares.
Ferries
The San Francisco Bay Ferry connects the city to Sausalito, Tiburon, Oakland, Alameda, and Vallejo. The Sausalito ferry is particularly popular. Take it one way and bike the other across the Golden Gate Bridge. Ferries depart from the Ferry Building.
Getting to/from the Airport
SFO Airport: BART is the cheapest and fastest option (about 30 min, around $10). Rideshares cost $30-50 depending on traffic.
Oakland Airport (OAK): Take BART to Coliseum station, then the AirBART shuttle. Total time is about 60-75 minutes to downtown SF.
Pro Tips
- Get a Clipper Card. It works on Muni, BART, ferries, and more. Load it at any BART station or Walgreens.
- Don’t rent a car in the city. Parking is expensive ($30-50/day), hills make driving stressful, and transit covers most areas well.
- Use the Muni Day Pass ($5) if you’ll ride more than twice. It pays for itself quickly.
- Cable car lines are longest midday. Go early morning or after 6 PM for shorter waits.