Name: Hire Car
Rating: 4.6

Exploring San Francisco by Hire Car

Street trains slowly pass by old Victorian houses, the Golden Gate Bridge loftily spans San Francisco Bay, countless bars and restaurants tempt with diverse offerings, and the city’s museums offer a rich cultural portfolio.

San Francisco is not stingy with superlatives. The city as well as the surrounding area can be excellently explored by hire car. We have put together a few tips for your rental and travel.

Receiving the hire car

Only a short train ride lies between you and your hire car. At the airport, simply board the AirTrain Blue Line. It will take you directly to the hire car center, where many rental agencies are located. Just make sure that your rental company also has its station in the hire car center. There are also providers whose stations are only located in the vicinity of the airport. Then you have to change again into a shuttle at the hire car center and lose valuable travel time.

Booking the right car

The wide American highways are best conquered in a large road cruiser. Since gas prices are still delightfully low in the land of opportunity, feel free to book a comfortable sedan.

Hire car prices

It is not entirely cheap to book a hire car in San Francisco. You are always well advised to book the car well in advance and use our price comparison. This way you have a good chance of finding a good deal.

hire car price comparison San Francisco

Insurance

Even in the cozy traffic of the USA, an accident can happen sometimes. If you have opted for a comprehensive insurance without deductible, you are well covered. With the liability you should absolutely pay attention to the sum insured. It should be at least one million euros.

Because if people are injured in an accident, it can be really expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company seems to be too low, you still have the possibility to insure yourself additionally via a so-called traveller policy. Talk to your insurance company.

age limit

With most hire car companies in San Francisco, you must be at least 21 years old to hire car. And drivers under 25 are often charged an additional fee. Be sure to inquire about the terms before renting the vehicle.

Accessories

If you need accessories, such as a navigation device or a child seat, we recommend that you make a reservation in good time. Only then can you be sure that your rental company also has these items on offer and that they are also available for you. In addition, you can also compare the prices of the different providers at your leisure.

Time shift

The jet lag caused by the time difference between Germany and the USA is a problem for most travellers. Take it easy in the first days and drive only short distances with the hire car. You can find more information on this topic in our special.

Free kilometers

Even if you just want to explore the San Francisco area, you’ll be driving countless miles. Therefore, make sure to sign a rental agreement where all the miles are free.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Not all customers are happy with San Francisco hire car companies. Some complain that they were tried to sell them expensive additional insurance. We recommend that you adequately insure the car when you reserve it and refuse to purchase additional insurance on the spot.

Safety hire car

Some customers are also dissatisfied with the roadworthiness of some rental vehicles. Therefore, be sure to do a little road test while still in the parking lot and insist on a replacement car if anything is wrong with the car. Also check the lights, brakes and brake lights.

And have any damage, such as scratches or dents, confirmed in writing in a damage report. In addition, you should read our customer reviews before renting the vehicle to avoid getting a black sheep in the first place.

Bail

Some rental companies block the amount due for the security deposit on your credit card only. Others debit the money and pay it back after you return the vehicle. In this case, it may take some time before the money is back in your account.

Sights in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge: Dreamlike views
Perhaps you first sit down in your hire car and drive once over the Golden Gate Bridge. It opened in 1937 and was considered the longest suspension bridge in the world until 1964. It has a total length of 2,737 meters. Thus, you will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great views of the San Francisco Bay and the city during the ride.

Main Library: studying the city’s history
Back in San Francisco, the Main Library is a worthwhile starting point for your stroll through the city. On the sixth floor is the San Francisco History Center. There you can learn details about the city’s history. The History Center is open Monday through Wednesday and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Friday, you can visit it from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On Sunday, the gates open at 12:00pm and close at 5:00pm.

Yeerba Buena Center for the Arts: Experience Modern Art
Art lovers may feel like strolling over to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. There, you can expect changing exhibitions of modern artists. There are always interesting performances to see at the attached Novellus Theater. The gallery is open from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. A ticket costs ten dollars.

Cable Car Barn & Museum: get to know the city dweller’s mode of transportation
No mode of transportation shapes the city as much as the famous cable cars. At the Cable Car Barn & Museum, you can learn about their history and admire three cable cars dating back to the 19th century. The museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from April to September and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm during the winter months. Admission to the museum is free.

Chinatown: Trip to Asia
A lively neighbourhood awaits you when you direct your steps to Chinatown to finish your sightseeing tour. There, you can stock up on Asian kitsch in a variety of shops and then enjoy the best dim sum dishes in one of the cookshops.

Find a good restaurant

San Francisco’s restaurant scene is truly cosmopolitan. Perhaps take advantage of the proximity to the ocean and head to one of Pacific Catch’s restaurants. There, you’ll get freshly caught fish that’s grilled in classic fashion.

Discover a good hotel

Many interesting hotels make the choice difficult. We recommend the “Hotel des Arts”. Each room has been individually decorated with modern works of art and you can also admire numerous paintings in the other rooms of the hotel.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Steer the hire car into the future and drive to San José. In just under an hour you will be there. In San José, you’ll find yourself in the secret capital of Silicon Valley, where the trends of tomorrow are developed. In the interactive Technology Museum of Innovation you will experience the inventiveness of the city’s inhabitants. But you won’t miss out on the past either, as you can experience afterwards at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. When you head back to San Francisco after an eventful day, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to choose hire car destinations for the next few days of your vacation.

Suggestion for a round trip

Sausalito: Pretty little town by the sea
Perhaps drive your hire car to Sausalito first. In half an hour you will be there. In Sausallito, you will immerse yourself in typical American small town life. At the harbour you can enjoy great views of the sea. And in the good restaurants of the city you can get to know genuine American cuisine.

Napa: The heaven of wine lovers
Wine lovers will not miss it to steer the hire car now to Napa. The drive takes about an hour. Napa is located in the famous Napa Valley where some of the best California wines are grown. In Napa, you will have the opportunity to fill the trunk with these delicacies.

Oakland: Art Deco and historic pub
Before heading back to San Francisco, it’s a good idea to make a stop in Oakland. You can be there in just under an hour. In downtown you can admire numerous buildings from the Art Deco period. Also worthwhile is a visit to “Heinold's First and Last Chance”. This pub opened in 1883 and has been largely left in its original state ever since. A 20-minute drive now separates you from San Francisco, where you will review the day’s experiences.

conclusion

It’s worth renting a car just to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. Around San Francisco there are many other worthwhile destinations. And with our handy price comparison, you’ll always find a great deal and a hire car that suits you.

Hire car San Francisco