The city by the bay offers so much to see and do that you’ll definitely want to consider a car rental if you plan to visit. Although the city of San Francisco is only 50 square miles, there are lots of things to see and do outside of the city. The Golden Gate Bridge will take you to the other side of the bay, were you’ll find Marin and many other beautiful waterfront communities. There’s no way to see all of that without a rental car. Even when you’re in the city a car comes in handy as buses are often crowded and slow. Cable cars are fun but they don’t go all over the city. There is plenty of parking to be found in San Francisco. You will have to pay for parking nearly everywhere you go in the city, so be prepared. In nearly every major parking lot and garage there will be a self pay station where you can use cash, coins and major credit cards.
You’ll find many discounts available when renting a car in the San Francisco Bay area. Coupon codes and online discounts abound as do your choices in available vehicles. San Francisco has nearly every major car rental company available near the airport as well as a few luxury and exotic rental agencies. No matter your budget, you’ll be able to find a rental that appeals to you. Do your homework first and know if you’ll need to purchase insurance coverage. For some, their existing auto insurance policies include coverage for rental cars. If yours does not, it’s a good idea to purchase the coverage - especially in cities with aggressive and crowded driving like San Francisco.
