San Francisco Airport Car Rental

Parking in San Francisco

• San Francisco Airport is one of the busiest in the US and has around 15,000 parking spaces. Find long-term parking to the airport’s north, with short-stay options close to the terminals.
• Metered street parking is available across the city, but follow the signs to avoid a parking ticket. Usually there are restrictions due to time limits, weather, construction and scheduled street cleaning.
• Find downtown parking with 1,865 spaces at Sutter-Stockton Garage, around 600 spaces at Union Square Garage (both 94108), and room for more than 2,500 vehicles at Fifth and Mission/Yerba Buena Garage (94103).

Traffic in San Francisco

Rush hour in San Francisco starts at around 7am and lasts until 9am, when traffic can be pretty busy. In the afternoon, the same will be true from 4pm until 6pm – with the Golden Gate Bridge one of the most congested routes at these times. Plan your journeys to avoid the busiest times, however, and San Francisco’s steep hills and beautiful beachfronts make for some of the most stunning drives in the US.

How to get from San Francisco Airport to Union Square

San Francisco International Airport is 13 miles south of Union Square and the journey can take around 20 minutes depending on traffic.

1. Leave the Rental Car Center and turn right along N McDonnell Road.
2. Turn left down San Bruno Avenue, then right onto US-101 going north for just over 10 miles.
3. Keep right at Exit 433 and merge onto I-80 E.
4. Use Exit 2 onto Bryant Street and head left down 3^rd Street.
5. Cross Market Street, bear left along Geary Street, right down Powell Street and Post Street to arrive at Union Square.

Roads and freeways

Main routes in San Francisco

• Interstate 80 (I-80) connects the central San Francisco Bay with Oakland and heads all the way up to Sacramento.
• Highway 101 is the famous road-trip route that joins San Francisco with Los Angeles – 420 miles south.
• Interstate 280 (I-280) is 57 miles long, starting in San Francisco Bay and connecting it to San Jose.

San Francisco to Napa Valley

The drive from San Francisco to Napa County is slightly less than 70 miles – ideal for a day trip when visiting the city. Follow the I-80 E for around 40 miles. Take Exit 41 onto Suisun then Wooden Valley Road, before joining CA-121 and CA-128 to the heart of the Napa Valley.

The best things to do in San Francisco

Golden Gate Park

This incredible park spans more than 1,000 acres, bordering Ocean Beach and the neighborhood of Richmond. Follow the various trails through the greenery to reach the serenity of the Japanese garden with its koi ponds and bamboo pathways, or the burst of color that is the Conservatory of Flowers, housing more than 2,000 species of blooms from across the globe. Admire the works at the de Young Fine Arts Museum and learn at the Academy of Sciences – both within the park.

Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is believed to be the oldest – and one of the largest – Asian communities outside the continent – dating back to Chinese immigrants arriving during the Gold Rush. The area covers around 24 blocks just north of Union Square. Drive through the iconic Dragon Gate and step into a whole new world, where you can explore the ornate architecture, tantalizing aromas and truly authentic cuisine – the original home of fortune cookies and chop suey.

Oracle Park

Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, a visit to Oracle Park is worth it for the views alone. Home to the San Francisco Giants since 2000, this modern stadium overlooks the bay and is arguably the most picturesque baseball park in the country. Even out of season (November to March) you can enjoy a tour to check out the team’s World Series trophies and rings.

Twin Peaks

Drive your rental car from San Francisco Airport up the famous winding, grassy hills to the summit of Twin Peaks – 922 feet above sea level. It’s likely to be cooler and breezier at the top, so take an extra layer to keep warm as you gaze out across the city’s bounty of landmarks from above. The great debate is whether the views are better during the day or at night – you might just have to make the worthy trip twice to decide for yourself.

Where to eat in San Francisco

Mister Jiu’s

San Fran is renowned for its Chinese cuisine, and Mister Jiu’s brings together the flavors of the Far East effortlessly with the influence of Western culture, both in its menu and its décor. Wooden tables, gold chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Chinatown give an authentic backdrop to chef Brandon Jew’s contemporary Cantonese cooking.

Liholiho Yacht Club

The fusion of Hawaiian, Chinese and Californian flavors makes Liholiho Yacht Club a truly unique eatery in the city. The vibrant environment is reflected by colorful plates adorned with flavor-packed dishes, whether it’s duck liver toast, roasted octopus with curried raisins or jalapeno and pickled pineapple.

Aziza

At Aziza, on Geary Boulevard in Central Richmond, chef Mourad Lahlou fuses Moroccan cooking styles with local Californian ingredients to serve up seriously flavorful dishes. With beef cheek tagine, various flatbreads and sticky date cake on the menu, there’s something for every mood, mealtime and appetite.

The best hotels in San Francisco

Palace Hotel

This historic – and iconic – hotel along Market Street in downtown San Francisco was rebuilt after the great earthquake in 1906. Its opulence and five-star luxury is evident in every corner of hotel, from the contemporary rooms to the Beaux-Arts architecture, chandeliers and marble pillars steeped in history. Take afternoon tea in the ornate Garden Court.

Hotel Zephyr

The superb location in Fisherman’s Wharf is just the start, with bright rooms that follow a nautical theme great for a family vacation. An outdoor playground and fire pit for cool evenings add to its charms.

The Parsonage