Rent a Car San Francisco to Explore the City by the Bay
Rent a car in London Docklands a Car San Francisco is the best way to explore the city and its many attractions. With so much to see, you’ll want to get on the road as soon as possible to make the most of your time.
One of the best ways to do this is by renting a car at the airport. The rates are usually cheaper than trying to find a location in the city.
Airport Locations
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is an excellent place to pick up a rental car. With nine rental companies located in a consolidated rental car center on airport grounds, or via shuttle buses to off-airport locations, there’s plenty of choice.
If you’ll be exploring downtown San Francisco, opt for a compact model that’s easy to park and navigate narrow streets. Families heading to Pacifica Pier or the San Francisco Aquarium may prefer an SUV with extra legroom and storage space.
You can also take your rental car on the road to top attractions in and around San Francisco. Check out Alcatraz, the free cable car museum or Golden Gate Park. And make sure to drive over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on your way out of town. If you’re dropping off your rental car at the airport, follow the signs for the rental return area on McDonnell Road and look for your agency’s specific drop-off location.
City Center Locations
San Francisco’s central business district (CBD) is home to many large companies and is a popular place for visitors to rent a car. The CBD has several neighborhoods that are easy to get around by public transit or by foot.
There are also a variety of rental cars available in downtown San Francisco, including sedans and luxury models. Renting a car in the city center is a great way to take advantage of everything that this historic and culturally significant city has to offer.
When you are ready to return your rental car, head back to the airport and follow the signs for the Rental Car Center. The AirTrain, SFO’s fully automated people mover, provides convenient and frequent service between all terminals, the airport parking garages and the Rental Car Center. After exiting the train, follow the signs to the automated SIXT Fastbreak kiosk and enter your credit card, RapidRez number or reservation number. The kiosk will automatically find your reservation and print a ticket with your space number and rental contract.
After-Hours Locations
A car rental in San Francisco lets you explore the City by the Bay at your own pace. You can visit famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf and stroll through quaint neighborhoods such as Nob Hill. You can drive to Union Square for a shopping spree or take a ride on a historic cable car.
Several rental car companies offer off-airport locations at SFO that are accessible via shuttle from the consolidated airport rentals center. You can find Payless and Sixt car rental locations along with Hertz and Thrifty, all of which are only a short shuttle ride away from the airport.
If you decide to drive your San Francisco car rental outside of the City, you will need to be familiar with driving rules in SF. The City is known for having one-way streets and bus lanes, so make sure to always check the local traffic map before you start driving.
Toll Roads
While most rental cars come equipped with a pass or transponder that will save you from having to deal with toll roads, they’re not the only option. Many routes and bridges allow you to pay your toll directly to the road or bridge authority. That will usually save you money versus an admin fee per day or per toll from the car rental company, as noted by NerdWallet.
To avoid fees, you can also rent a FasTrak tag and use it for the duration of your trip. You’ll need to register the tag and your license plate number with the bridge or road authority. It may take a little extra prep time, but it’s worth it to avoid fees and fines. The Bay Area’s most popular toll road, the Carquinez Bridge, is notorious for logging violations and adding the charges to drivers’ credit card bills. If you don’t pay them, you can end up paying an astronomical amount in penalties and interest.