San Francisco is a compact city with good public transportation, and many visitors are better off without a car while they are in town. But if you are starting or ending a road trip here, or staying in an outer neighborhood, you will need to drive and park. The city has some unusual challenges: very steep hills, cable cars and streetcars sharing the road, strict parking rules and a well-known problem with car break-ins.

Do you need a car?

For the main sights, usually not. Muni buses, streetcars and cable cars, BART trains, ride-hailing and walking cover most of the city, and parking is expensive and scarce. A common plan is to explore the city first without a car and pick one up on the day you leave. See getting around San Francisco.

Driving on the hills

  • Stopping on a slope: some streets are steep enough that you cannot see the road over the crest when stopped at the top. Creep forward slowly.
  • Hill starts: almost all rentals are automatic, which makes this easier. Keep a gap behind the car in front in case it rolls back.
  • Curb your wheels: when parking on a grade, it is the law to turn your wheels so the car would roll into the curb. Facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb. Facing uphill, turn them away from the curb. Set the parking brake every time.

Sharing the road

  • Cable cars run on fixed tracks on a few streets and cannot swerve or stop quickly. Give them room and never block the tracks.
  • Transit lanes painted red are for buses and taxis at the times posted. Do not drive in them except to turn where allowed.
  • Cyclists and pedestrians are everywhere. Look carefully before turning, and stop for people in crosswalks, marked or not.
  • One-way streets are common downtown. Follow the arrows, and expect lots of turn restrictions on Market Street.

Parking rules

Colored curbs

  • Red: no stopping or parking at any time.
  • Yellow: commercial loading during posted hours.
  • White: brief passenger loading only.
  • Green: short-term parking, time limit posted.
  • Blue: for vehicles with a disabled parking placard only.

Signs and street cleaning

Read every sign on the block. Street-cleaning restrictions apply on set days and hours, and residential areas often have time limits for cars without a neighborhood permit. Tow-away zones during rush hours are common on busy streets. Tickets are frequent and towing is costly, so if a sign is confusing, find another spot. Do not block driveways, even by a few inches.

Garages and hotel parking

Public garages are the stress-free option. Many hotels charge separately for overnight parking; check when you book. See where to stay in San Francisco if parking matters to you.

Car break-ins

Car break-ins are a long-standing problem, especially at tourist spots, viewpoints and busy shopping areas. Rental cars are frequent targets.

  • Leave nothing visible in the car, not even a jacket, a charging cable or an empty bag.
  • Do not move luggage into the trunk at your destination; thieves watch for that. Pack it before you arrive, or better, do not leave luggage in the car at all.
  • Use staffed garages where you can.

When to drive

Weekday rush hours, roughly early morning and late afternoon, slow the bridges, the freeways and the main routes through downtown. Weekend afternoons bring their own jams near the beaches and the Golden Gate Bridge on sunny days. Leaving the city early in the morning for a road trip avoids most of it. Fog can also roll in suddenly on the bridges and the western side of the city, so slow down and use headlights.

Bridges and tolls

The Golden Gate Bridge charges a toll southbound, into the city, and has no cash booths; tolls are collected electronically by license plate or transponder. The Bay Bridge charges westbound, toward the city. Rental cars are usually enrolled in a toll program that bills you later. Ask the rental company how it works, and check before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive down Lombard Street?

Yes, the famous crooked block is a public street, but it is often crowded and slow. Expect a line of cars in busy seasons, and respect the residents.

Is it safe to leave luggage in the car?

No. Break-ins happen quickly and in daylight. Keep bags with you or at your hotel.

What happens if I am towed?

Towed cars are taken to a city impound lot, and you pay towing and storage charges to get the car back. Read the signs to avoid it.