
By UNROOTME
One of the worst things about going into the city is the challenge of trying to find parking! It isn’t a place you can jump into your car, drive to and whip into a parking spot without any thought put into where you’re going to be parking and how much it is going to cost.
Typically, we would have skipped the city altogether, but, there were two reasons we were determined to visit San Francisco. One, I wanted to try all of the delicious food we had heard about and two, uncle Phillip was flying into town and we weren’t going to miss him.
So, we began searching the web to find everything we could about both getting around and parking in San Francisco. Below is what we learned.
If you drive into San Francisco, You’re going to need to find a place to park your car somewhere in the city. Whether you choose to use a parking app, park your car in a garage, use metered parking or take advantage of a weekend parking deal, we’ve got you covered.
“No Great City As Ever Been Known For It’s Abundant Supply Of Parking”

Parking Apps
Parking apps can and will make your life a whole lot easier when attempting to park anywhere in the city! They are going to help you find and reserve a spot in advance and help you to find available parking. Talk about a relief!
The four most popular apps seem to be as follows.
Weekend Deals
Now let’s talk about the weekend deal we scored at the Golden Gate parking garage during our visit to the city. This garage offers an $8 flat rate during the weekend, but, if you want to get an even better deal ($3) be sure to stop by either the farmers market or china town and get your parking slip validated.
Metered Parking
San Francisco parking meters are the most convenient parking meters we’ve used. They accept every form of payment. You can pay with coins, a debit card or with your phone while miles away. They are located all over the city, but, unfortunately, there are also expensive ranging anywhere from $2 to $7 an hour, depending on where you’re located. If you’re going to be near any tourist destination, expect the rate to be on the higher end. Also, if you’re parking during a holiday expect to may more.
Oh, and don’t forget to use your parking app of choice.
Bonus: Metered parking is free on Sundays.
Parking Garages And Locations
Union Square Parking
Sutter-Stockton Garage
Location: 444 Stockton Street
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Height Clearance: 6’5″
Hourly rate: $1 to $3 per hour
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $36 ($18 on Sundays)
Union Square Garage
Location: 333 Post Street
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Hourly rate: $2.50 to $6 an hour
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $36
Ellis and O’Farrell Garage
Location: 123 O’Farrell Street
Hours: Opens every day at 5:30 am; closes at 1 am Sunday – Thursday and 2 am Friday – Saturday
Hourly rate: $1.50 to $4 an hour
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $36
Weekday Early Bird discount: Flat rate of $19 when you enter before 8:30 am and exit before the close
Options in Downtown San Francisco
Fifth and Mission / Yerba Buena Garage
Location: 833 Mission Street
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Hourly rate: $3 to $4 an hour depending on when you arrive
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $34
St. Mary’s Square Garage
Location: 433 Kearny Street
Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Hourly rate: $1 to $5 an hour depending on when you arrive
Weekday Early Bird discount: Flat rate of $23 when you enter before 8:30 am and exit before midnight
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $39
San Francisco Parking in Nob Hill
Polk-Bush Garage
Location: 1399 Bush Street
Hourly rate: $3
Hours: Open Monday – Thursday from am – 10 pm, Friday from 7 am – 2:30 am, Saturday from 8 am – 2:30 am, and Sunday 9 am – 10 pm
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $27
Weekday Early Bird discount: Flat rate of $18 when you enter before 9 am and exit before 7 pm
Overnight discount: Flat rate of $8 when you enter after 9 pm and exit by 9 am (weekdays) or 10 am (weekends) the next day
Mission District Parking
Mission-Bartlett Garage
Location: 3255 21st Street
Hours: Open Monday – Thursday from 7 am-midnight, Friday from 7 am – 2:30 am, Saturday from 8 am – 2:30 am, and Sunday 8 am – midnight
Hourly rate: $1.50 to $5 an hour
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $27
Mission-Otis Garage
Location: 1660 Mission Street
Hours: Open Monday – Friday from 7 am – 6 pm
Rate: Every 30 minutes costs $3
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $22
North Beach Parking
North Beach Garage
Location: 735 Vallejo Street
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Hourly rate: $4
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $30
Weekday Early Bird discount: Flat rate of $20 when you enter before 10 am and exit before 7 pm
Options for Civic Center and Hayes Valley
Civic Center
Location: 355 McAllister Street, underground
Size: Large garage with 843 spaces
Hours: Open weekdays from 6 am-midnight, Saturday from 8 am-midnight, and Sunday from 9 am – 10 pm
Hourly rate: $2 to $6 an hour
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $29
Weekday Early Bird discount: Flat rate of $18 when you enter before 8:30 am and exit before closing
Performing Arts Garage
Location: 360 Grove Street
Hours: Open weekdays 6 am-midnight, closed weekends unless an event is scheduled
Hourly rate: $1 to $4.50, special event rates range from $5 to $40
Daily maximum or lost ticket: $22
Weekday Early Bird discount: Flat rate of $14 when you enter before 8:30 am and exit before closing
Monthly Parking
Staying for a month or more in San Francisco and looking for a monthly parking rate? Check out the websites below.
https://monthlyparking.org/san-francisco-monthly-parking/
https://parking.com/san-francisco/monthly-parking
The parking apps listed above can also help.

Transportation Around The City
If the parking rates above are a little too steep for your budget or you don’t have a car to get you around. The public transportation is very convenient. Below is the website for each form of transportation and how much they cost.
Cal-Train
Cost one way $3.75
Day Pass $7.50
Additional Zones $2.25
Muni Pass
https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/fares
Cost: Cash $2.75
Clipper Card: $2.50
Historic Cable Cars (Trolley)
https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/cable-cars
Cost $7.00

Bike Rentals
San Francisco Bicycle Rentals
https://www.bikerentalsanfrancisco.com/
425 Jefferson St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 922-4537
Hourly Rate: $8-9
Daily Rate: $32+
Online Rate: 20% Discount
CityRide Bike Rentals
https://cityridebikerentals.com/
370 Linden St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone Number: (415) 500-2050
Daily Rate: $32
Online Rate: 20% Discount
Basically Free Bike Rentals
2568 Jones St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone Number: (415) 934-2922
Hourly Rate: $23 for 3 hours
Daily Rate: $40
Uber or Lyft
Traveling with a group of friends? The app-based transportation, Uber or Lyft might be a good option.
Uber App: http://uber.uptrivial.com/en/us/android/
Lyft App: https://www.lyft.com/signup
Sightseeing Tour
On a time crunch and want to fit in as much sightseeing as you can? A Sightseeing tour might work best.
Cost: $49+
Do you know of another way to get around San Francisco? Let us know in the comments below.