Car Rental at San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco is a wonderful city to visit. It has great scenery, great food, and a great bridge. Getting around the city is a breeze, just pick up a car at the San Francisco International Airport upon arrival.

The car rental agents make it easy get your trip off to a good start. They'll give you a mini map of the city that shows the main thoroughfares and key attractions. Fortunately, San Francisco is a small place, only seven square miles. The agents are happy to give directions on leaving the airport and getting to downtown, if that's where you're headed, takes less than 30 minutes.

If you arrive at the airport in the morning or early evening, be prepared for fog. It usually clears in the early afternoon and at night. Even so, fog advisories are rare and the rental agent can suggest radio stations that provide traffic and weather information.

Even on foggy days, San Francisco is stunning. Take your rental car to Nob Hill or Pacific Heights and catch a glimpse of Alcatraz or the Golden Gate Bridge. The top of the Golden Gate Bridge bathed in fog or sparkling in sunlight is a picture-taking moment.

Most American car rentals are automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions are sometimes available, however before you request a manual car do consider that San Francisco is a very hilly city and it's easy to roll down hill at steep traffic stops.

Remember to always bring a jacket to San Francisco; leave it in the car during the warm part of the day if you don't need it. You'll be glad you did come the cool evenings. Summer in San Francisco is much chillier than people realize, especially in the early evening. But don't forget to remove it when you return your car to the airport.

When you're ready to leave, allow plenty of time for refilling the gas tank, returning the car and transport to the airport terminal.