Don't drive to San Francisco and pay $35 or more per day to park. Don't fly and then spend steadily on a ride-sharing service or taxicabs. Don't imagine those storied but slow cable cars will get you everywhere you want to be.
Instead, after that flight to San Francisco or Oakland, followed by the BART ride into the heart of the city, place your faith in those quaint old streetcars that rattle along the waterfront and Market Street.
That's what I did in March. For three days, I counted on that many-hued streetcar fleet to move me along the waterfront and up Market to the Castro District on the route known as the F-line.
First, about the cars themselves: As many as 20 reconditioned vintage cars roll at any one time, most dating from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Their color schemes pay tribute to streetcar systems from around the world, most abandoned long ago.
The streetcars are supposed to run every six to 15 minutes, and for me they did, except on one afternoon when the wait was 20 to 25 minutes. A single ride costs $2.75, so it's a better bargain to buy a Muni pass (one day for $21, three days for $32, a week for $42; for where to purchase go to lat.ms/SFMTA), which lets you ride streetcars, cable cars and Muni buses.
Now, here's some of what you'll find on the way:
