Hotels/Cars - figuring out for SF/Monterey

Question

Hi! Planning to stay first two nights in SF and then several days in Monterey and Santa Cruz area, then back to SF night before our flight the next morning.

Trying to figure out a rental car as it seems unnecessary in SF and comes with concerns/costs for parking, but need for bank/forth Monterey area.

Best to rent at the airport and just leave parked at the hotel, use public transport/uber until leaving SF or get uber to hotel and then acquire a car rental when leaving the hotel to go to Monterey? Concerned if we wait to get the car that it could waste time/be inconvenient, have always gotten a car at the airport in the past so not sure. Thoughts?

Hotels- ideas for moderate price, safe area, walkable to some things in SF? Marriotts or Hiltons preferred over b and b’s. Monterey /santa Cruz area/ need ideas here too,good hotel distance wise to attractions.

Thanks!!

Answer

For your San Francisco portion, it is generally more convenient to avoid renting a car right at the airport if you plan to stay in the city for just two nights. Parking in SF is expensive and limited, and the city is highly walkable with excellent public transportation options including MUNI, BART, cable cars, and ride-share services. Picking up a car only when you leave SF for Monterey and Santa Cruz can save both money and stress.

Option 1: Use Uber, Lyft, or public transport from the airport to your SF hotel, then rent a car on the day you leave SF for Monterey. This avoids paying for parking or worrying about city driving.
Option 2: Rent the car at the airport as usual and leave it parked at your SF hotel. This is feasible if your hotel provides parking, but expect daily parking fees to be high, often $50+ per night, and parking availability can be limited in downtown SF.
Option 3: A compromise is to rent the car at the airport but schedule the pickup a few hours after arrival or arrange a nearby offsite rental location closer to your hotel. This requires advance planning but can reduce hassle.

Regarding hotels in San Francisco, for moderate pricing and safe, walkable areas, consider:

Union Square area: Close to shopping, restaurants, and public transport. Marriott and Hilton options available.
Fisherman’s Wharf / North Beach: Good for sightseeing, walking distance to Pier 39, restaurants, and some attractions. Moderate pricing varies seasonally.
Embarcadero / Financial District: Clean, safe, and convenient for public transport, though slightly less lively at night.

For Monterey/Santa Cruz area, look for hotels that give you easy access to main attractions like Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17-Mile Drive, and Santa Cruz boardwalk:

Monterey: Marriott’s Monterey options (Monterey Bay or Del Monte) are centrally located near Cannery Row.
Carmel/Monterey Peninsula: Mid-range hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea offer charm and proximity to Point Lobos and 17-Mile Drive.
Santa Cruz: Downtown Santa Cruz or near the Boardwalk; several Hilton and Marriott properties available, convenient for beach and boardwalk activities.

Overall, the most efficient plan is to avoid a car in SF, use public transport or ride-share for the first two days, then rent a car on the day you depart for Monterey. This reduces parking costs and city traffic stress while giving you flexibility for exploring the central coast.

Hotels/Cars - figuring out for SF/Monterey

More San Francisco Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions