Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CITY BUSES
Buses go nearly everywhere in town, and they're fairly speedy as city buses go.
Some are powered by overhead electrical lines, making them “clean” vehicles,
while others are of the typical fume-spewing variety. Fares on buses are $1.50;
exact change is required. Be sure to request a transfer when you pay, because that
will get you a flimsy newsprint tag that entitles you to ride another bus for free
within 90 minutes, which is often enough to see whatever you're headed to see
and still have time for a free ride afterward. Given the transfer benefits, it's
unlikely that the $11 daily visitor's passes will pay off unless you practically live
on the buses—which some weird people do, so avoid riding late at night.
Locals are very peculiar about their bus etiquette. You must enter the vehicle
by the front door and leave by the rear door. And to get the rear door to open,
you have to physically step into the stairwell, where there are sensors. Neglect to
do this and shout for the driver to open the door, and you run the risk of being
on the receiving end of some sour stares.
Bus stops, when they're not obvious (such as where there are shelters), are typ-
ically denoted by yellow stripes painted around utility poles.
You'll often hear the buses referred to as Muni (Municipal Transportation
Agency; % 415/701-2323, or, within San Francisco, dial 311; www.sfmta.com),
although in truth, Muni also runs the city's streetcars, trams, and even the cable
car system. Muni passes ( % 415/923-6050) are $15 for a week, valid Monday
through Sunday (starting Monday and not on any other day), and if you have
one, you're entitled to $1 fares on the cable cars. I am not a fan of the passes
because their funky scheduling means that you could end up having to buy two
passes if your trip spans a Monday. Figuring out if a weekly pass will work for you
is easy: Will you take more than 10 bus rides before the pass expires on Sunday?
Useful Bus Lines
These bus lines hit a number of places where visitors like to go. Get your $1.50
ticket and a transfer, and ride away.
The 30: Goes through Chinatown from Union Square, veers through North
Beach along iconic Columbus Avenue, goes a block within Fisherman's Wharf, and
then heads west to Chestnut Street, the major shopping thoroughfare of the
Marina. It turns around and heads back about a 10-minute walk east of the
Exploratorium.
The 7 and 71: Both go down Market Street and wind up in the Haight-Ashbury,
where Golden Gate Park is accessible.
The 2, 3, and 4: All go down Post Street to Japantown, somewhere trams and
trains don't go.
The 39: It will do the climbing up to Coit Tower for you.
The 21: Heads down Market Street and then veers along Hayes Street, where
the shopping is rich and the residents are richer. The route runs along the south
of Alamo Square, home of one of the postcard-perfect views of the Painted Ladies.
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