Public Transit 101: Getting around San Francisco without a car

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Driving in San Francisco is a lesson in humility. Between the hills that feel like roller coasters, the endless street cleaning signs, and the $95 parking tickets that appear like ghosts in the night, it’s enough to make anyone reconsider the whole car thing.

The good news? You don’t need one. You just need a Clipper Card, some layered clothing, and a little local insight. SF is a walkable, rideable, wonderfully unpredictable city. Once you get the hang of its public transit, you’ll wonder why you ever sat in traffic.

Here’s your starter guide to getting around without four wheels of your own.

Muni: The Everyday Essential

This is the one you’ll use the most. Muni is San Francisco’s public transit system made up of buses, metro light rail, and those underground trains that somehow pop back up by the beach like magic.

It’s imperfect but loyal. It gets you across the city, through the fog, and into neighborhoods you’d never find otherwise.

If you’re taking a bus: check the Transit App. Real-time arrival is your new best friend. If you’re hopping on the light rail: be patient. Some lines are moody. Some disappear for twenty minutes and then three show up at once. It’s part of the charm.

Locals swear by the 5, the 22, and the 38. Especially the 38. That one is basically a lifestyle.

Clipper Card accepted. Exact change not recommended. Bring headphones and a sense of direction.

Cable Cars: Touristy, But Worth It

They’re loud. They’re dramatic. They feel like something Wes Anderson would storyboard. And yes, you should ride one at least once.

Cable cars run on three lines, but if you want fewer crowds, hop on the California Street route. It’s the underdog. Same vintage charm, way fewer tourists elbowing for photos.

Locals might pretend they’re above it, but even we smile when we hang off the side and roll down the hill past Grace Cathedral with the wind in our hair.

You won’t get anywhere fast, but that’s not the point.

BART: Bay Access with Big Feelings

BART is your ride to the airport, the East Bay, and occasionally downtown. It’s clean-ish, fast-ish, and reliable-ish. Think of it as the commuter backbone of the Bay Area with a bit of mood.

It’s less about getting around SF and more about getting in and out of it. If you’re heading to SFO, BART will get you there without the $70 surge pricing. If you’re venturing into Oakland, Berkeley, or beyond, this is your move.

Just make sure you’re on the right platform before the doors close. No one enjoys finding themselves in Daly City when they meant to go to Millbrae.

Bikes, Scooters, and Walking It Out

When the sun’s out, the transit gods align, and the hills don’t look too intimidating, opt for human-powered movement.

Bay Wheels has rentable bikes and e-bikes all over the city. Great for coasting through Golden Gate Park or pretending you're in a coming-of-age film as you bike the Embarcadero.

Scooters are everywhere. Just don’t take them down a steep hill unless you’ve made peace with gravity.

Walking is underrated. Most of SF’s best moments are found between destinations. Wandering through a new neighborhood beats sitting in traffic every time.

Ferries: A Scenic Detour Worth Taking

This one’s for the day you want to feel like you’re on vacation. Ferries leave from the Ferry Building and take you to places like Sausalito, Tiburon, or even Angel Island.

You get water views, salty air, and a quiet seat to think about absolutely nothing. Ferry life is low-stress, high-reward. You may not use it every day, but it’s a good one to keep in your back pocket.

The Takeaway

San Francisco runs on a unique rhythm. Its transit system isn’t perfect, but it works in its own slightly chaotic way. Give it time and it starts to make sense. You’ll miss your stop once, fall in love with a bus route no one talks about, and memorize the Metro map without meaning to.

You don’t need a car to live here. You need layers, curiosity, and maybe a little stubbornness.

Once you figure it out, getting around becomes less of a chore and more of an experience. And honestly, that’s very San Francisco.