Driving in San Francisco/San Jose

[Mazzy]

Hi :wave:

I'm in the midst of planning our itinerary for California and Vegas, and we will be hiring a car to drive out of San Francisco down to Monterey for a few days.

Sounds simple, BUT DH has never driven in the US, and I'm a bit worried about us driving through the city to get to Highway 1, the coastal route - I have visions of us approaching a big junction and ending up as mush! :eek:

Has anyone driven out of SF, if so, would you recommend it for a first-time US driver?

We will also be driving from Monterey to San Jose airport (for our flight to Vegas) and if anyone else has done that, I would appreciate any tips/advice.

Thanks! :D

[Diamonddog]

The airport in SF is the right side of the city for you - you won't have to drive 'through' the city to get to it. Because driving in SF is very difficult - the slopes are much, much worse than it appears in the movies!!

If you could, I'd recommend staying overnight in SF, getting used to driving, and then moving on to San Jose. I would not
recommend driving into 'downtown' SF though - parking is appalingly difficult and the one way systems are damn difficult too. It's not built on a simple grid like 'modern' US cities.

If you can't stayover (and, hey, you simply must visit the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz) you will need an excellent map. And a cool head for the first hour of your drive - after that you should adapt just fine.

I envy you - have a great trip!

[Mazzy]

Diamond dog - Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. We are staying in San Francisco for 4 nights, then at the end of our stay, we will be getting the hire car to drive the coastal route down to Monterey.

We will be staying in Fisherman's Wharf, and there is an AVIS car hire near The Cannery, from what I can make out on their map. So, we would be starting our drive from near The Cannery and heading towards Highway 1 to get to Monterey - any idea what that route out of SF is like regarding hills etc?

If the drive out of SF sounds too much, another option is after staying in SF, we get a taxi to SF airport and get a flight to Vegas, then after Vegas, fly to San Jose, pick the hire car up from there and then do the Monterey driving section of the trip.

Thanks :D

[sumacdo]

San Fran is quite a tough one for your first drive in the states, but I'm sure you'll be just fine. Traffic is hectic and they don't have road signs every 100 yards like we do over here. Read the map properly before you set off and take it slow to begin with, most of all - Dont panic!! If you can drive in San Fran then you can drive anywhere!! Just remember to use the parking brake and curb the wheels when your park on one of their famous hills.
Driving on the Pacific Coast Highway is easy - it's real slow and lazy and you stop every few miles to look at stuff.
We found Monterey and Carmel to be a bit naff (I think we actually had to pay to go into Carmel). There is a really nice seaside place just a bit further north called Santa Cruz where we found probably the best Mexican restaurant ever!! While in San Jose try and visit the Winchester Mystery House and do a tour.

[Diamonddog]

Right, now I understand. Fishermans Wharf is outside of the really 'difficult' area (as I recall) - but it's still the case that you'll be going on slopes/hills you won't believe! As the previous poster said - remember to turn the wheels into the kerb when parking - it's a ticketable offence not to do so. Besides the fact you may just lose the car!!:)
I'd seriously suggest you get an excellent roadmap of SF and know exactly how you're going to get from the airport to Fishermans Wharf. Make yourself very aware of this before you fly. It's also worth mentioning that most hotels in SF charge for car parking ; $15-20 per night isn't uncommon!
Another key thing to remember is to use the handbrake when stopped on inclines - especially at traffic lights. Don't think the normal 'park' mode will suffice - it probably won't. Find out before you leave the airport exactly where it's situated. Also, remember that automatics 'creep' in neutral - you must also put your foot on the brake pedal.
Basically - take it steady. Use the public transport when you can (especially cable cars) - it really is so much easier than driving around the city centre.
I'm not trying to put you off - I'm just letting you know SF is quite demanding. I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you do a bit of homework and stay calm!

Last bit of advice whilst in SF - always take a sweater or suchlike with you no matter what the weather. Seriously - I've seen the temperature fall from high 70s to low 40s in less than an hour in September. It can catch you out badly - be prepared.

By the way - SF is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city. You'll love it!

[DarrenW]

A friend who lived there for 2 years said driving in SF is as bad as New York but with hippies giving you the finger.

[DarrenW]

Another thing to consider is hiring cycles to view the city. I did that in September and spent the day riding around Golden Gate Park (free bluegrass festival), the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausilito. The hills are a pain on the way up, but on the way down, wwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Check out www.blazingsaddles.com

[chris5117]

I have driven in SF a couple of times and then down the 101 with no prob's, you will be fine. I
ts great fun going up and down the hills, its a good job the cars are automatics ( a lot easier on hill starts).

[jheaton]

hi Mazzy
sounds like you're doing a similar trip DH and I did in 2003, we had a few days in SF then drove down the Highway 1 to Monterey, its a lovely coastal drive.DH had previously driven in orlando before, we opted to pick our car up at Alamo's Mission St office as that is in the southern part of the city and the rental people gave us great directions out of town,it was only a few blocks to the 280 (Southern freeway) and then about 3 miles along take the Cabrillo freeway to Highway 1- it was very well sign-posted.After Monterey we drove to Yosemite and DH was feeling braver on the way back to SF so we drove in from the North across the Golden Gate bridge and found Lombard St so he could screech round the twisty bit like in the movies!!Still managed to find our way back to the Alamo office so I'm sure you'll be fine-just take your time.By the way-have you booked a place to stay in Monterey?, I can recommend the Beach Resort, Sand Dunes Drive.Its right on the beach.
Have a great trip

janet

[Mazzy]

Thanks everyone for your help with this, it's been a big help. :D

DiamondDog - thanks for the tip, as I am a person who easily feels the cold, I will make sure I have my layers with me! ;)

Darren - :D

Janet - can you walk from the beach resort into Monterey, or do you need to drive in. I'm looking for something quite central, thanks :D

[jheaton]

Hi Mazzy

No, the Beach Resort is just along the coast from Central Monterey- only a few mins drive but too far to walk.

[Mazzy]

OK thanks Janet. :D

[Mrs_Dazzle]

Hi Mazzy :wave:

We;re off to San Fransisco this Easter - staying for a few nights at the Holiday Inn, Fisherman's Wharf, and then headed off to Lake Tahoe for a couple of weeks skiing and sightseeing around there :d: :d: :d: :spin: :spin: :spin: (can you tell I'm getting excited yet ;) ).

We chose the HI because of it's location - in other words, we arrive there from the airport, then leave the car there, travelling on foot, or tram. $40 parking a day, though:omg: . This is with the exception of a trip down the real winding road - just got to be done, though we'll probably be putting names in the hat between Darryl, myself and our friends who we're travelling with:smile:

Your trip sounds fantastic - when are you going?

[CruellaDeVilla]

God you guys are brave, driving in SF is quite tough but just go for it!

We did San Fran to San Diego over a three week period a couple of years back.....FABULOUS!

[MattF]

We did the Grand Tour of California a few years ago (Before we had the kids). I'd never driven in the US before, but I found it really easy. We started off with 4 days in the Holiday, Fisherman's wharf and loved it. You won't use the car whilst in SF because you can either walk or catch the tram or trolley buses, the city is so good for that. I drove nearly 1800 miles in just over 2 weeks and found it really easy. Just have to keep yor wits about you.

Matt