Rental cars in San Francisco from $26

If your trip to San Francisco is all locked in but your itinerary is looking a bit empty, we can give you a few hints and tips.You may need to ask the boss for an extra week off, because San Francisco is bursting at the seams with unmissable sights and landmarks. First to be checked off your list should be Lombard Street and Pier 39. You won’t want to miss University of San Francisco and Palace of Fine Arts either.Experience the best that this city has to offer by adding Westfield San Francisco Centre and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to your to-do list. If you’ve got some spare time, take a look at TransAmerica Pyramid and Asian Art Museum of San Francisco as well.Close to the center, Orpheum Theater is one sight you might like to consider putting on your must-see list. San Francisco City Hall and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium are also a stone’s throw away and worth a detour.

San Francisco offers some wonderful sights, but there are other things to feast your eyes on in the surrounding area. How does a world-renowned attraction sound to you? About 35 miles away in Mountain View, California’s Great America lures the crowds all year round. Why not head there and see what all the fuss is about?

Fill up the tank, buckle up and get ready to feel the sea air blowing through your hair. San Francisco is home to some glorious stretches of coast, such as:

• Baker Beach (4 miles away).
• China Beach (5 miles away).
• Ocean Beach (6 miles away).

After spending time mixing with like-minded people, it’s always nice to be able to relax and unwind somewhere nearby. If you’re visiting San Francisco primarily for work, here are some of the popular convention centers that are close to hotels and restaurants:

• Moscone Convention Center (0.5 miles away).
• SFJAZZ Center (1 mile away).
• China Cabin (7 miles away).

If it’s your first time visiting San Francisco, you’re in for an incredible time. With bucket-list sights like Pier 39 and Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll wonder why you didn’t arrange your escape sooner. But like all major cities, driving can be a challenge — so why not lock in a compact car or a mini? Parking is a snap and handling is about as easy as it gets. Alternatively, if you’re eager to avoid the downtown area and discover the more remote sandy shores in San Mateo County, opt for a four-wheel drive or an SUV.

Sometimes it’s all about the journey, which makes your car choice particularly important. If you’re about to head off on an epic road trip around San Francisco, a safe and sturdy SUV could be the answer. If you’d like a fantastic bargain and plan on sticking mostly to the city, an economy car is a clever pick. All you have to do is choose what suits you best, throw your bags in the trunk, and hit the road.

Getting your hands on a place to park in San Francisco can take time. That’s why many visitors book a hotel that has its own parking. When leaving the car around town, keep a close eye on the signage. Overstaying the specified time limit could earn you a big fine.

As with most destinations, roads get busier in the rush hours before and after work. However, due to its smaller population of roughly 864,800, traffic jams aren’t a big issue in San Francisco.

Speed limits vary in San Francisco, but typically range from 25mph to 50mph. Most residential roads have a maximum speed of 25mph unless signed otherwise.

Normally your chosen rental car company will charge the amount stated on the fine to your credit card, including local taxes. Otherwise, they may share your contact details with local authorities, who’ll then issue a fine directly to you.

It’s against the law to use your cell phone while driving around San Francisco, and you may even be fined for just holding your phone when you’re in control of a vehicle. However, the use of hands-free or Bluetooth functions is permitted, as long as your eyes remain on the road.

In San Francisco, it is an offence to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of more than 0.08%. If you’re planning to have a drink or two, it’s a good idea to leave the car behind.

Yes it is. But before doing so, you must bring the vehicle to a total stop and only move on if the coast is clear.

Although there are a small number of exceptions, seat belts must be worn in San Mateo County.