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Car hire in San Francisco with Hertz
San Francisco is a city of sharp contrasts. Waterfront views and steep streets. Neighborhood coffee spots and big-ticket landmarks. In a single day, you can go from the Embarcadero to Golden Gate Park, then end up watching the sunset near Ocean Beach.
Having a car opens up the Bay Area in a way that rideshares and transit rarely match. You can move on your own clock, take the scenic route along the coast, and build easy day trips to places like Sausalito, Muir Woods, or Half Moon Bay without juggling connections.
With car hire in San Francisco, those plans stay flexible. A car rental in San Francisco through Hertz gives you a straightforward way to explore the city and the surrounding coast, whether you’re running quick errands in town or planning longer drives beyond SF.
Pickup locations in San Francisco
- San Francisco International Airport
- San Francisco - Ellis Street HLE
- San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf
- San Francisco Box Truck Rentals
- San Francisco - Marriott Marquis
- San Francisco - Mason Street
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You can skip the counter once your membership is activated after your first rental. Available at select locations only.
Benefits from day one.
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- Make travel feel golden with Hertz Gold+
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- Skip the line, choose your ride, and go
Skip the rental counter at selected locations – just head to your car and go. At selected US rental locations, you can also choose from a wider selection of cars, including exclusive vehicles for top-tier members.
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Earn free rental days with every booking. The more you rent, the faster you unlock elite status.* *Points are earned & redeemed on the base rental rate only. Taxes, fees, & options are excluded. Additional terms apply.
- Share the drive for free
Add your spouse or partner as an additional driver for free.
Driving Guide: Car Rental in San Francisco
Parking Information
- 1200 Van Ness Garage is a convenient covered parking option in Polk Gulch, located at 1200 Van Ness Ave, and is operated 24/7. It offers 215 spots and is a solid pick if you want a straightforward place to park near the Van Ness corridor.
- UC Law San Francisco Garage is a large, convenient Civic Center parking garage with around 400 spots, ideal if you’re headed to City Hall, UN Plaza, or the nearby museums and offices. The garage includes accessible parking and EV charging, so it works well for most standard vehicles.
- 1455 Market St Garage is a centrally located SoMa parking garage operated by Propark Mobility, with around 350 spots. It’s a practical option if you’re heading to the Market Street / Van Ness area, nearby offices, or events, and want a structured garage rather than hunting for street parking. The garage includes accessible parking and EV charging; however, it is accessible only from Monday to Friday.
Key Roads in San Francisco
- Market Street: San Francisco’s main street that cuts across the city, linking downtown to neighborhoods like SoMa and the Civic Center area. It’s busy, full of transit, and a common route for getting in and out of the core, plus it puts you close to shopping, offices, and major connections.
- Van Ness Avenue (US-101 corridor connector): A major north–south artery that runs through the city and helps you move between neighborhoods like the Marina/Cow Hollow area and Civic Center, with quick links toward Highway 101. It’s one of the most direct ways to cross the city without struggling through smaller streets.
- Lombard Street: Famous for its steep, winding, and crooked block, but also a useful east–west connector in the northern part of the city. It’s a popular tourist drive, and it can help you reach areas near Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina, and the Presidio, depending on your route.
Electric Car Hire
If you want a cleaner way to get around the city, Hertz offers electric car hire in San Francisco, giving you a smooth, quiet drive that fits right into the Bay Area’s eco-minded vibe.
Choose from newer EV models available through our car rental San Francisco options and explore the city with zero tailpipe emissions, from waterfront drives to quick hops between neighborhoods.
The Hertz electric fleet makes car hire in San Francisco feel modern and practical. You still get the comfort and convenience you expect, with the added perk of a quieter ride and lower fuel spend. It’s a smart pick for city cruising, day trips across the bridge, and everything in between.
Charging Points
San Francisco has around 1,192 public EV charging stations, which is usually enough for city driving, airport runs, and short day trips across the Bay Area. If you plan your charging stops in advance, it’s easy to fit quick top-ups into your route between neighborhoods, shopping areas, and major parking garages.
The wider California charging network also keeps expanding, so charging access around San Francisco and nearby routes is expected to keep improving.
That makes an EV rental through Hertz a practical choice for car hire in San Francisco, whether you’re staying close to downtown and the waterfront or using your car rental in San Francisco to head out to places like Sausalito, Muir Woods, or the Pacific Coast.
Congestion Charges
If you’re planning a car hire in San Francisco, there’s no citywide congestion charge for driving around San Francisco in the way you might see in cities with an active downtown charging zone. San Francisco has explored the idea through a downtown congestion pricing study, but it is not something that’s been rolled out for everyday driving today.
What you may pay instead are bridge tolls when you cross into or out of the city. If your route includes the Golden Gate Bridge, tolls apply there too, and pricing varies by payment method (FasTrak, one-time payment, or invoice).
If you’d like a lower-emission option while using a car rental in San Francisco, Hertz also offers EV rentals, which can be a smart fit for city driving and Bay Area day trips.
Getting from San Francisco to Oakland
It’s a straightforward drive from San Francisco to Oakland, and usually it takes around 29 minutes in normal traffic (about 11.8 miles, depending on your exact start point), typically via I-80 E. Here’s how you can navigate it:
- Start in San Francisco and head toward 10th St, then connect to Bryant St.
- Use 10th St and Bryant St to get on I-80 E.
- Stay on I-80 E and cross the Bay Bridge toward the East Bay.
- Continue on I-80 E toward Oakland.
- Take the exit to merge onto I-980 W, then take Exit 1D.
- After exiting, drive toward 14th St to reach central Oakland.
Getting from San Francisco to Fremont
If you want a smoother run out of the city, this route heads south first and typically avoids the heavier backup you can hit near the Bay Bridge. From San Francisco, the drive to Fremont is usually around 57 minutes in normal traffic (about 42.1 miles, depending on where you start), most often via US-101 S.
- Start in San Francisco and get on US-101 S / Central Freeway.
- Stay on US-101 S, following signs south out of the city.
- Continue on US-101 S, then connect onto CA-84 E toward the East Bay.
- Follow CA-84 E and take the exit toward Decoto Rd in Fremont.
- Drive along Decoto Rd, then connect to Fremont Blvd.
- Continue on Fremont Blvd and follow it to Mowry Ave to reach Fremont.
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A Quick Guide to San Francisco
Fairmont San Francisco
950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
A well-known Nob Hill hotel with a classic, upscale feel and strong city views from higher floors. It’s a convenient base for visiting Union Square, Chinatown, and nearby cable car lines. Best for travelers who want a landmark hotel with full-service amenities.
Four Seasons San Francisco
757 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
A modern luxury hotel with a quieter, polished atmosphere and high-comfort rooms. Its downtown location works well for business travel and for access to shopping, dining, and museums nearby. Best for travelers who want a premium stay with consistent service.
Hilton San Francisco
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
A central Union Square area hotel with easy access to shopping, theaters, restaurants, and transit. It’s a practical choice for short city stays, work trips, and events, with full-service facilities and a straightforward check-in experience.
Bottega
1132 Valencia St, San Francisco
A neighborhood spot focused on Italian cooking with an Italian-American touch, with a menu built around familiar classics and comfort-forward plates. It’s a good choice if you want a relaxed meal with pastas, pizzas, and shareable starters in the Mission/Valencia area.
Delancey Street Restaurant
600 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
A casual, straightforward place near the waterfront with a classic American-leaning menu. It works well for an easy meal when you’re around the Embarcadero and want something simple and reliable. Expect approachable, crowd-friendly dishes in a simple setting.
Rich Table
199 Gough St, San Francisco
A well-known Hayes Valley restaurant serving California/New American style food, led by chefs Evan and Sarah Rich. It’s a strong pick for a more elevated dinner where the menu is ingredient-driven and changes seasonally.
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Brg, San Francisco
The most recognizable San Francisco landmark is an easy “first stop” for most visitors. You can walk or bike part of the bridge, or get better photo angles from nearby viewpoints like Battery Spencer or Crissy Field. Go earlier in the day if you want clearer views and lighter crowds.
Alcatraz Island
San Francisco, CA 94133
A standout experience because it combines a short bay ferry ride with a high-interest historic site. The visit is well-structured, and you get great skyline views back toward the city. Tickets often sell out, so it’s worth booking ahead.
Golden Gate Park
501 Stanyan Street, San Francisco
A large, walkable park with enough variety to fill a half day without feeling rushed. It’s good for gardens, museums, lakes, and relaxed outdoor time, especially if you want a break from steep streets and downtown traffic.
FAQs about car hire
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