Hey folks,

My company is asking me to work out of our San Francisco office for 4 months, and I've got a couple of quick questions.

I'm thinking of taking my car, mainly so I can go on weekend trips (and I don't want to leave it on the streets of Chicago during the winter when I'm not there...). The company is putting me up in an apartment. I've only been to SF once, and I really didn't get a feel for the residential neighborhoods. I'm sure it varies around town, but how impossible is it to find parking on the street?

Public transit-wise, how easy is it to get around town? I've only put 80 miles on my MINI in the past month in Chicago, either cycling or taking the L everywhere, so I'm used to a non car-centric life. Is it even worth bringing it out? I'd need to find winter storage otherwise...

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy

 

Parking impossible without a garage. Street parking is a PITA. Public transit is very good and, with MUNI, Caltrans and BART encompasses almost the entire Bay Area. SF is on a peninsula surrounded by saltwater and almost daily salt fog. It does wondorous things to cars parked on the street and not detailed on a virtually weekly basis. I say bring it if you got a garage - otherwise stow it in the Windy City.

 

And the answer is: Depends!

If you can answer the big three: where the apartment is, where the job is located and how much you love your car it would help.

The Bay Area is one of the finest places for day or overnight trips in a Mini and the sights to see are magical, yes I'm prejudiced, enjoyable and varied.

If you bring the car, your bicycle too, you will enjoy the stay even more. Of course if you have a safe environment, off-street parking, here for the car all the better. You may even find yourself in a similar situation as you're in in Chicago and San Francisco on foot is a wonder all to its self.

I no longer reside in the city and I'm sure those that do can help more than myself. It all goes back to knowing the answers to the big three, location location and how much. Without those I can't give you a good answer.

Hope this helps...

 

A lot really really depends on the neighborhood, before deciding I'd say that I needed to know the details on where the place is and if you get assigned parking (there is a chance you will with temp work housing). Also ease of use of public transit varies by area as well, so I'd really see what specifics they can provide.

 

If you think you will get out of town on weekends, take the MINI. The coast, wine country, Redwoods... so many beautiful places to see and great twisties to get you there.

 

I can answer 2 of the 3. I really, really love my car, and Google Earth says the office is at 2nd and Folsom. We haven't secured the apartment yet, but it sounds like I'll have carte blanche on what neighborhood it's in, so long as the price isn't obscene (relatively, of course). I'll be travelling with a co-worker, and he's been sourcing apartments. He's shooting for Russian Hill. Actually, advice on that front would be helpful, too.

The issue is that every listing I've seen charges another $350 on top of rent for parking. I'm afraid that the company is just going to let me rent a car on the weekends, which would be cheaper for them, but much less fun for me. And I still have to store my car at home.

 

2nd and Folsom is a very congested area and not one where I would leave a MINI on the street.

The MINI clubs here - Norcal, Redwood Empire, Mavericks, and MOASF all have websites and events every month of the year. When you get here check in and join us on a run or two!!!

 

To add to what Trico says about 2nd and Folsom: I believe most of that area is short term parking and tow-away not to mention pricey for daily off street parking. But that pretty much sums up parking in all of San Francisco!

But if your living nearby it all works. In other words why pay for parking twice when once will do.

You could look at the south of Market, Dog Patch, China Basin. You could look at the Embarcadero, or the east North Beach area to Aquatic Park and that way the parking is not an issue. You can take Muni or walk or bike to work as the area is all bike friendly and or foot friendly.

These are all nice areas weather wise and currently being re-developed as well. There are wonderful places to shop, eat and drink as well as parks and open areas to enjoy as well. Lots of SF history in those areas too.

Your co-worker should work with a leasing agent that is familiar with the area that your office is located. Russian Hill, like *** Hill, is nice but pricey and not the easiest to get to and from your office area with out driving. The reason for working with a pro, if your not, is that looking at the map it's not telling you what areas you don't want to go through such as, congestion, construction, un-friendly to foot trafic and what ones are not as direct, such as one way streets or no buses, as the map shows.

All that being said 350 dollars a month for parking is not bad, I can't believe I just said that, for Russian Hill. I remember what the wife paid in Presidio Heights many years ago for secure parking so it sounds reasonable.

Where ever you decide to stay my hope is that your time in the city will be, it will be, fun and enjoyable.

Hope this helps...

 

Do you have a parking garage/employee parking at work? If you want to drive to work that is another consideration.

I think there are a fair number of short term rental options around there (ie http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/sub/401740270.html) if you want to live close to work and then just drive for errands and pleasure. As kazlot said, it is a good idea to work with at least one agency and look at web sites dedicated to corporate furnished short term rentals for the best results. And remember, everything is negotiable

There are quiet neighborhoods where street parking is not really an issue (for example Inner Sunset/Twin Peaks has areas), but without looking at the scenario firsthand I would not want to depend on anyone's word about that. Renting a car frequently is not a cheap thing, and storing your car for so long is not ideal - convince them that even if there is an additional charge for parking it will be for the best all around

 

If you're going to live in the City and work Downtown you'll want to take Muni and not drive.

Check the following site out for locating Corporate Rentals:

http://www.amsires.com/

If your company will spring for $4500 per month ...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/apa/403616722.html

Easy walking distance to ...

 

Yeah, driving to the office is not in the plan. I was planning on taking my bike along (another reason to take the car. Airline luggage handlers are murder on checked bikes.), and cycling into the office daily. The car would just be for fun.

But the general consensus seems to be that in most situations, street parking is out of the question. That's sort of what I was expecting. The company is giving a little resistance on paying for additional parking, so the MINI might be hibernating this year . At least I'll be having a good time. You guys have Zipcar out there, right?

 

How are you on hill climbing?

What months of the year will you be here?

 

Hills? Um...

Once I mapped out my current commute on USGS topographic maps. There is a constant slope downward to the office, and a total 6' elevation change over 4.5 miles. There are 2 expressway overpasses and a railroad overpass, though.

The current plan is October to March. I'm not so concerned about the weather, though. Does it get really bad? I'm hoping that relatively I'll be okay by not having to deal with sub-freezing temps. I'll just be happy not to get the salt in the drivetrain.

 

ok, born and raised in SF here. marin layer/fog saltwater in the air is not a big issue. I park my car outside everyday.

A neighborhood that i recommend for daily street parking would be the sunset district. I live in the richmond dist, closer to the ocean. parking in my neighborhood can be bad at night, but alot easier during the day.

since you're working in downtown, do what all the locals do: commute on MUNI buses and leave the car at home M-F. just remember to move the car at least once a week for street cleaning.

 

I disagree, that Marin layer is a pain - all those soccer Moms/Dads on cell phones in SUVs cutting you off

Yeah, the fog around here is not an issue, the only place I know of where it is pretty salty is in Southern Sausalito and probably near the beaches - you can tell the difference from the residue and when I park outside I never see any indication of it left on the car.

Check the web sites for Zip cars and such, they are around but relying on that is not something I can comment on. Considering that there could be a good bit of rain Oct-March you should be sure you are near other transport options then bike, unless you like getting to work sweaty, rained on and dirty

 

I recommend bringing the car. How could you live without it for that long? I see more MINI's in SF than I have in any other city so you'll be very much at home with one here. You can never count on street parking since there is just not enough but with the MINI you'll occasionally get lucky simply because you can fit in a space most other cars can't. Push to have your company pay for covered parking near your apt. Without it you will waste a lot of your life looking for a space as I have! I know there are parking garages near 2nd and Folsom. I was just there yesterday and know there are a few on 2nd around Howard, which is one short block away. The traffic is pretty chaotic all around there during rush hours so avoid driving if possible. Also something to keep in mind, a good sized area in between your office and *** Hill/Russian Hill area is crack-head central, so hopefully you can avoid the need to be on foot any more than necessary. Trolleys run between Market and *** Hill/Russian Hill and so does Muni. Google Earth should show these routes to help you figure out the public transportation.

Despite the few drawbacks of living in SF and having a car, I think it is worth it, especially for when you want to get out of town. There are so many beautiful twisty driving places within easy driving distance north and south of SF so you will not regret it especially if the company is covering the extra expenses!

 

I live on Russian Hill. Street parking is passable mid-day but difficult starting from around mid/late afternoon as people get home. The problem in this general area (northeast part of the city) is that a lot of residences are older buildings with no garages at all, which puts a strain on street parking. If you can find an apartment with parking, it is a great location to live -- lots of places to go just by walking or short bus ride.

At 2nd/Folsom you will most likely take the bus to work rather than bicycling, but depending on where you live there may be a good bike route. Parts of San Francisco are not bicycle friendly because of traffic congestion and narrow streets. I think it would be a great opportunity to live right in the city, but your work location is also accessible by BART (from the East Bay) and train (from the Peninsula), so you can also consider nearby cities where parking is not as much of an issue.

Yes we have Zipcar, and a few other similar rental companies. They even have MINIs (CVT Coopers and convertibles).

 

You should try and make it work for your Mini to be here. Nov 1st, I think, is when there'll be the Hooked on Minis event at Thunderhill. So you can enjoy a day at the track learning the course with other Mini owners.

 

Say hello to the California Street hill ... 240' climb in about a quarter mile.



October is one of the best months weather-wise, sunny and and in the mid-60s (except for those back to back 100 degree days in the first week of October 1987). Rain really doesn't start until Thanksgiving and then maybe 3-4 inches per month.

 

Years ago I drove up that hill in gridlocked traffic, stop and go every 15 feet, in a manual transmission. I was apprehensive while approaching the hill but it went fine and that's when I realized that my emergency brake technique was good enough for just about anywhere I might go.

 

The only time I've ever been in SF, I drove up from LA in a Hertz Shelby Mustang. It took every single ounce of restraint to keep from re-enacting Bullitt on that, and well, pretty much every hill.

 

I've run up that hill during a race!

 

Were you nekked? Or in costume? (Bay to Breakers?)

 

This hill was part of one of the courses that I used to do with the Fleet Feet running group ... talk about suffering major oxygen debt

Bay to Breakers has the Hayes Street hill ... about the same elevation gain but over a longer distance.

 

Got it. Always intended to do Bay to Breakers when I lived there, but never did. I lived over in the Sunset and instead of running it myself, would just watch the madness go by.

Anyway...not really relevant to the thread.