Transportation

Question

We are planning to stay at CMI for three nights and will have a car. We have never been to SF and don’t know about public transportation. We want to go to Chinatown, Fishermen’s Warf, Ghirardelli Square and the Marina District. Are those walkable or is there public transportation that we could use?

Answer

Staying at CMI in San Francisco gives you a good starting point for exploring the city, but navigating SF with a car can be challenging due to steep hills, limited parking, and traffic. Many of the neighborhoods you mentioned are walkable depending on your comfort with hills, but public transportation is often easier and more convenient.

Walkability:

Chinatown: Depending on the exact location of CMI, Chinatown is generally walkable, but be prepared for some uphill streets if coming from Union Square or downtown areas.
Fisherman’s Wharf: It is a longer walk from central areas (about 1.5–2 miles from Union Square/CMI). You can walk, but it may be tiring, especially if you plan to explore the wharf extensively.
Ghirardelli Square: Close to Fisherman’s Wharf and can be combined with a Wharf visit. Walking is possible if you are comfortable with some gentle hills.
Marina District: A longer walk from CMI (roughly 2–3 miles depending on exact locations). Walking is feasible but public transit or rideshare may be more comfortable.

Public Transportation Options:

MUNI buses and streetcars: Extensive network that can get you close to all the destinations mentioned. For example, MUNI line 30 or 45 can take you from downtown/Union Square areas to the Marina District and Ghirardelli Square area.
Historic F-line streetcar: Runs along Market Street to the Embarcadero, ending near Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square—good for sightseeing along the way.
Cable cars: Can be a fun experience, especially the Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde lines, which pass near Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Rideshare/Taxi: Convenient if you prefer to save time or avoid hills, particularly from CMI to the Marina District or during evenings.

Parking considerations:

Street parking is limited and expensive near the Wharf, Ghirardelli, and Marina District.
Consider using public garages, but be prepared for rates around $20–$40 per day.
It may be easier to leave your car at CMI and rely on public transit or rideshares for day trips.

In summary, Chinatown is easily walkable, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square are walkable but a bus or streetcar can save energy, and the Marina District is best accessed via public transit or rideshare. San Francisco’s public transport is quite reliable for these areas and will save you parking hassles.

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