Tourist Tips for Driving and Parking in San Francisco

Posted by Tony | On 27 August 2018 | Destinations, Tips & Advice

(Image Credit: pxhere)

Exploring San Francisco, whether you’re new to the city or have lived here for years, is always a captivating experience. The city’s diverse neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and vibrant cultural scene ensure there’s something new to discover each time. You can wander through the bustling streets of Chinatown, relax in the serene beauty of Golden Gate Park, or ride the historic cable cars while enjoying the eclectic mix of restaurants and shops. San Francisco’s dynamic blend of old and new charms everyone who visits. The ever-changing weather, the fog rolling over the Golden Gate Bridge, and the stunning views from the hills add to the city’s timeless appeal, making every visit feel like an adventure.

Whether you are gliding along the city streets in your own vehicle or indulging in a leisurely drive in a luxurious rental from a company that specializes in Luxury Car Rental San Francisco, navigating the bustling streets can be a bit daunting. This feeling is particularly common if it’s your first time in the city or if you’ve been away for a while. That’s why it’s always a smart move to familiarize yourself with what to expect before you arrive in this beloved San Francisco hotspot.

Expect Congestion

Although San Francisco roads always have a lot of traffic, the morning and afternoon rush hours can be especially problematic. Out-of-state drivers should expect heavy gridlock on the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. If possible, they should plan their outing between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. if it includes driving across these famous structures. Non-local drivers should also be aware that other drivers will frequently try to merge into their lane on both bridges.

Travel Faster by Hitting the Timed Green Lights Just Right

Some of the major one-way streets in San Francisco are on a timed system for green lights that can be advantageous to drivers traveling 25 to 35 miles per hour. These streets include:

Eastbound Bush and westbound Pine
Southbound Gough and northbound Franklin
Eastbound Oak and westbound Fell
Northbound and southbound for the Great Highway

By timing their driving just right, can hit continuous green lights. However, it’s important to keep in mind that break points exist at some of the city’s major intersections.

Be Prepared to Drive on Steep Hills

San Francisco is well-known for its steep hills. While a streetcar chugging up a hill makes for a pretty postcard, navigating the hills in a private vehicle can be challenging for newcomers. It can be downright dangerous on rainy and windy days or other types of inclement weather. For downhill driving, it’s important to leave adequate time to stop for stoplights and signs. For uphill driving, people should be certain to leave enough space between their car and the car traveling in front of them.

When parking on a hill, drivers must remember to curb their wheels. They should turn the wheels towards the street when parking uphill and towards the road when parking downhill.

Dealing with Delivery Trucks

Like any major city, San Francisco has its share of delivery trucks stopping at businesses and private homes. Their routes are especially busy in the morning hours. Since delivery truck drivers tend to double-park in the right lane, it’s a good idea to check for their presence one to two blocks before making a lane change. Drivers can find themselves stuck behind a delivery truck until its driver comes back out if other drivers won’t allow them to merge back into traffic.

Parking in Congested Neighborhoods like Chinatown

Tourists have the option of parking on the street or in a paid lot when visiting San Francisco’s Chinatown. While street parking in Chinatown is hard to come by, it is occasionally possible to find a spot. Metered rates vary depending on the demand and many have a two-hour limit. Some possible choices for paid parking ramps include: