San Francisco International Airport is perched on a large area of flat land right next to the Bay, so as soon as you pick up your hire car you’ll find the journey north to downtown San Francisco is quick and easy.

You'll find driving in the city centre simple thanks to the easy-to-navigate network of roads. Like many major cities, the roads are laid out in a grid system, with smaller routes leading onto San Francisco's main roads. Route 101 runs the length of the city on the west side of the bay, acting as the perfect place to find your bearings. Likewise, the I-280 allows you to easily navigate yourself from the waterfront to areas just outside of the city.

For picturesque views of the Pacific coast, head for the Great Highway, running from Golden Gate Park in the north down to San Francisco Zoo along the western shoreline. Drive over Golden Gate Bridge and look out for Bridgeway to explore the scenic Sausalito district. The city is famed for its iconic tram system, so make sure you check the roads are clear when turning left, and drive with caution on the steep winding streets in the inner-city. Visit Lombard Street – it’s famous throughout America because it has so many tight bends.

As with the majority of the USA, you'll find the driving laws, regulations and speed limits may differ in San Francisco in comparison to other cities and states. You can find out more information about what to expect while out on California’s roads online.

When you leave our branch in your hire car, you’ll be well placed to head to other major cities in Northern California. Take the I-80 and drive to Berkeley and Oakland across the Bay, or keep going south on 101 and you'll find San Jose and San Mateo. And if you head north beyond San Francisco on Route 101, it’s easy to get up to San Rafael and Santa Rosa.

San Francisco is a city that has it all – chic hangouts, awe-inspiring coastal views and a host of cultivating cultural centres, but to name a few. Not only that, but you'll also be able to take in the surrounding state of California during your stay.

The Bay

Hire a car from the International Airport and head to San Francisco Bay, one of the city's major attractions. The landmark Golden Gate Bridge spans the entrance of the Bay. You can take a picnic and gaze at the grand red metal structure from Presidio Park at the south end of the bridge.

To the east, in the middle of the Bay, you’ll see another immortal sight – Alcatraz Island. Today you can visit this once-notorious prison by taking a boat trip from the piers near Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Bay's Twin Peaks Park is the perfect spot to take a photo with panoramic views out across the water, and Lands' End Park at the rocky shore showcases a beautiful scenic backdrop.

Culture vultures

For such a small, compact city, San Francisco is bursting with culture. Visit the original hippy district of Haight-Ashbury, the birthplace of flower power in the Sixties, and find bohemian shops and cafes. The city's colourful Chinatown is must-visit too, with its delicious delicacies and unique Californian twists on original Chinese dishes.

If you’re on the lookout for somewhere to blow your mind, visit the California Academy of Science. Explore an abundance of exhibits and the Exploratorium – a family friendly hands-on science museum. Spend an afternoon learning about the city's aerospace history at the SFO Museum, an acclaimed gallery exhibiting a rotating series of shows and displays from throughout history. For a relaxing afternoon in the sunshine, sit outside your pick of the many cafes of Union Square, one of downtown's cultured hangouts.

Cruise the coast

If you’ve got a hire car in San Francisco, you’ll be able to take trips outside of the city too. Head north over the Golden Gate Bridge to find the hilly countryside of the Marin Headlands, the unspoilt sandy cove at Muir Beach and the pretty waterside town of Sausalito facing into the Bay. The scenic conservation area of Point Reyes National Seashore is a little further to the north, and the relaxing natural environment of San Bruno Mountain State Park is just a few minutes further. It’s a good spot for picnics and walks.

The Pacific Coast is only a few miles to the west. You’ll find beaches at Mori Point and to the east of Golden Gate Bridge, and if you’re into hiking, take to the protected rugged rocky headlands near Cliff House for bracing walks to clear your head.

Whether you're visiting on business, or looking to soak up the famous San Fran atmosphere, car hire from the airport opens up this wonderful part of the world.