Car hire from San Franciso

[eaglesrest]

Hey folks, we are doing 3 weeks SFO-SFO road-trip next August, and wondering what the best approach for car hire is?

We'll be arriving at SFO late in the evening and wont want to drive, nor fancy paying San Fran parking costs, so will probably get a transfer - any tips on pre-booking this? We haven't decided on accommodation yet, but probably be near union square or pier 39.

So, we will need to pick-up our car the morning when we checkout then head to Yosemite. Would we be better going to SFO to collect, or a local rental place to collect? I guess it doesn't matter price-wise but local could be more convenient. I recall using a Dollar shop which we were able to walk to, but it was like 15 years ago.

Which agency's offer good deals on the west coast? We normally use Alamo for MCO, and we spotted a great deal with Alamo for a luxury SUV (QX80 or similar) for £800. That was dummy bookings for 3 weeks in July as our dates weren't available. Just tried it for August with our actual dates and the price is now £2.5k! That's more than the flights Hoping the prices come down eventually, or is it just the August factor?

Thanks

[400ixl]

If you are arriving late evening and then heading to Yosemite the next morning I would stay at an airport hotel.

Have always found it cheaper and a far better choice from the airport than in SF itself.

Last time we hired from SF it was for a Yukon XL class for 23 nights dropping at Las Vegas and was £780 from Hertz. I think we got a good deal as they were trying to relocate cars across their network.

So good prices are possible.

[eaglesrest]

Originally Posted by 400ixl

If you are arriving late evening and then heading to Yosemite the next morning I would stay at an airport hotel.

Have always found it cheaper and a far better choice from the airport than in SF itself.

Last time we hired from SF it was for a Yukon XL class for 23 nights dropping at Las Vegas and was £780 from Hertz. I think we got a good deal as they were trying to relocate cars across their network.

So good prices are possible.

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Thanks.

We are staying in San Fran for a couple of nights, with the plan being to walk around Fishermans wharf, union square, then head off to Yosemite the next day.

I think you are right though. There is the Grand Hyatt which is bang on SFO so we could walk to bed. Taxi/bus (?) for a day of sight seeing, then back to the hotel airport for bed then airport shuttle/walk to pickup the car next day.

If the Hyatt works our cheaper than central san fran options it might be a no brainer.

Yukon would be fine especially at that price.

[Pumpkin Pie]

Originally Posted by eaglesrest

Thanks.

We are staying in San Fran for a couple of nights, with the plan being to walk around Fishermans wharf, union square, then head off to Yosemite the next day.

I think you are right though. There is the Grand Hyatt which is bang on SFO so we could walk to bed. Taxi/bus (?) for a day of sight seeing, then back to the hotel airport for bed then airport shuttle/walk to pickup the car next day.

If the Hyatt works our cheaper than central san fran options it might be a no brainer.

Yukon would be fine especially at that price.

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You could take the BART from the airport to city centre. We did that one year as it’s a lot cheaper. The BART stops on Market Street just down from Union Square.

[jdouds]

After a long flight get picked up or taxi. £500 is the car hire price range you should look for, large suv for this price. For San Fran we would suggest 3 n minimum as there is lots to see unless you have done it recently. Union sq area not favoured by many on here with lots of homeless and drugs in the area. Have a look at the chestnut st area , 15 mins walk to pier area past ghardellies. On our last visit we did , Alcatraz, cycle to bridge and over to Sausalito and back on the ferry,Disney museum, electric bike tour of city. On previous trip we did a trip up the coast and down the napa valley.

[eaglesrest]

Originally Posted by jdouds

After a long flight get picked up or taxi. £500 is the car hire price range you should look for, large suv for this price. For San Fran we would suggest 3 n minimum as there is lots to see unless you have done it recently. Union sq area not favoured by many on here with lots of homeless and drugs in the area. Have a look at the chestnut st area , 15 mins walk to pier area past ghardellies. On our last visit we did , Alcatraz, cycle to bridge and over to Sausalito and back on the ferry,Disney museum, electric bike tour of city. On previous trip we did a trip up the coast and down the nappy valley.

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We've done san fran a few times so its mainly for the kids. We'll probably do the cable cars, pier 39. The electric bike tour sounds cool, will look into that.

They wont be keen on Alcatraz so will probably skip that.

We're actually now thinking about just staying at the airport when we arrive then picking up the hire car next day and driving to Yosemite. I'm planning on hiking half dome cables with the youngest if we can get a permit, and the jet lagged early starts will be perfect for that. We then push some san fran sight seeing to the end of the holiday which I think will work a lot better.

[pinkandfluffy]

If you still have the car at the end of the holiday The Chelsea motor inn has free parking in San Francisco. We stayed there and its a nice, reasonably priced hotel on Lombard
Street. We parked up and used Uber when we were there.

[jdouds]

Hi again when looking at accommodation for San Fran and anywhere on the west coast have a look at Airbnb. Many great places and lots with of street parking. In San Fran we stayed in one on chestnut st and had a easy walk through park to ghardellies and pier area.

[eaglesrest]

Originally Posted by jdouds

Hi again when looking at accommodation for San Fran and anywhere on the west coast have a look at Airbnb. Many great places and lots with of street parking. In San Fran we stayed in one on chestnut st and had a easy walk through park to ghardellies and pier area.

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We have been thinking about that. We'll have 1 or 2 nights at the end of the holiday prior to flying back so an apartment would be perfect.

Thanks