Muni Stories: See what I mean about crazy people on Muni?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rm4SazjKsQ

I've told you a few Muni stories. I know I posted one some time ago where I had witnessed two men nearly come to blows. Well now someone actually captured a Muni moment on film. This really happens. Crazy stuff always seems to happen on the 30 so for those who want to come up to Chinatown from Fisherman's Wharf and want a potential show, this is the bus you want to be on. If you're lucky, you will be presented with your own crazy Muni story. Maybe I need to start walking around with a video camera.

Bay Bridge Closure Labor Day Weekend!

http://baybridgeinfo.org/1/index.html

This will begin at 8:00 pm, Thursday, Sept 3 and reopen on Tuesday, Sept 8 @ 5:00 am. You will want to plan ahead. Public transit is recommended or if you must drive, you will need to find an alternate route.

1 California - Muni Stories Revisited

This bus always seems to have the most bat shit crazy drivers. They will stomp on the gas throwing people around and then hit the break so hard that everyone goes flying forward. I seriously thought that someone was going to break their neck one day. Get your ass on the bus and grab a seat or hold on to whatever you can would be my recommendation... assuming you don't have a death wish.
The cable car operators on the California line can be obnoxious too but I tend to take that rather than the 1 california. Oh and if you're a reasonably attractive female, the cable car operators will probably be nicer to you. I'd rather chance having a car crash in to the side of it than be killed by the bus driver.

BART Strike Averted!

A tentative deal has been reached so the strike has been canceled. Thank God! :)

BART Strike!

BART is set to strike at midnight on Sunday. While this isn't a huge concern for those who don't live here, do be aware that public transit is probably going to be a mess as other agencies will be the ones picking up the slack. Just something to keep in mind if you'll be in the Bay Area any time soon. For more news, see www.sfgate.com

DeSoto Cab Company

I was going from the Embarcadero down to the Marina and one of the doormen at a hotel in the area was nice enough to hail a cab for me even though I wasn't a guest. Well unfortunately, I got this guy as a driver. First thing, the cab could use a good cleaning. I could have overlooked this until... As soon as I got in the guy starts hitting on me. Okay, I can deal with that well enough then he starts getting sexual, leering at me in the rear view mirror, you get the picture. He drove like a maniac and I'll be honest, I was ready to jump out of the car at a stop light or something. I was seriously creeped out. He took a longer route, driving up the fare on top of just giving him more time to make me uncomfortable. We finally got to the Marina and we were close enough to my destination that I said this was fine. I paid him and started to get out and he asked for my phone number. After I said no, he actually drove slowly behind me and followed me until I ducked in to a store. There is no way I'm getting in one of these cabs again after that experience.

Muni Stories Part I

Guy beating it in the back of the bus? Check. People ready to kill other people? Check. Sometimes live animals from Chinatown? Yep. You get the idea. After bitching about Muni to a friend, we got on the bus. I was totally expecting the typical experience and then... nothing happened. We even got to keep our seats at the very front of the bus the entire ride. WTF?! They made a liar out of me. : o

Then again, after leaving friend at the BART station, I got on another bus and witnessed and fight between Crazy Guy and Pissed Off Guy. Crazy Guy apparently touched Pissed Off Guy who just flipped out and threatened to be the crap out of him. All of us on the bus just watched with looks on our faces that simply said, "Ah, Muni..." People always miss the good stuff.

Parking

Parking is a pain in San Francisco even for those of us who live here. Keep this in mind when you're deciding whether or not you should rent a car. Parking is very expensive --$50/day at most of the hotels in the area, potentially more for an oversized vehicle. There are "motor inns" that you can stay at along Lombard street (not in the area as the crooked section) but I generally don't recommend those. Most are extremely overpriced for what you get, even if parking is included. Some people consider doing street parking, however, I don't really recommend this. Many streets require you to have a residential sticker. If you don't, they will tow or ticket you. There may also be time limits on how long you can park, etc... Simply put, if you plan to stay in SF, visit attractions in SF, etc... don't rent a car. It isn't needed. Walking, Muni and possibly taxis will serve you just fine. If you're dead set on driving and you're staying in the Union Square area, you may consider this off site garage for $30/day: http://www.fifthandmission.com/about.htm This may or may not be great depending on how many blocks away your hotel is but I thought I would mention it anyway.

If you wish to do a day trip, there are many rental car agencies in the downtown area as well as at Fisherman's Wharf. It is often cheaper to just rent a car for the day, take your trip and return the car when you are done.

Getting from the airport to San Francisco

The City of San Francisco is about 15 miles. I would recommend planning at least half an hour to get to/from the airport, however, you also have to keep traffic in mind in your planning. Allow extra time if you plan to take BART. Once you're in the city, you will be able to rely on Muni.

BART: $5.35/per person (to Powell Street if you're staying around Union Square, Embarcadero if going to Fisherman's Wharf... if going to FW, note you will have to either take a bus or taxi the rest of the way to your hotel from the Embarcadero station. Cost is a bit more coming from OAK and you'll have to use a shuttle to take you to BART.) The website also has a trip planner to help you.
Shuttle: $15/per person. ($25/pp from OAK)
Taxi: $45+
Town Car: $55+ (try ExecuCar or ABC Transportation.)

For BART info, visit http://www.bart.gov/
Shuttle Services: http://www.supershuttle.com/ and http://www.lorries-shuttles.com/
ExecuCar http://www.execucar.com/default.aspx

Where Little Cable Cars, Climb Half Way to the Stars

The Cable Cars

Some San Franciscans hate the cable cars but I for one, love them. I ride the California Street line to work much of the time when we have good weather. What better way to get up steep California street from the Embarcadero? The cable cars are one of those things I recommend you ride at least once. It is an experience like none other. There is the California Street line which is typically used more by locals as it runs from the Embarcadero to Van Ness straight up California Street, through the Financial Dist, Nob Hill and to a residential area.

There is another line more popular with tourists that will take you from the cable car turn around on Powell Street @ Market (4 blocks from Union Square) to Fisherman's Wharf. You can take the Powell/Mason Line which will let you off closer to Pier 39 or you can take the Powell/Hyde street line which will end 2 blocks from Ghirardelli Square. My advice if you're just riding to check it out: Take the Hyde line as it is more scenic and longer.

The cost:

The cable car charge is $5/per person, one way. Each time you board, you have to pay another $5/per person. This is overpriced and stupid. They obviously make a lot of money off the tourists. What you can do to cut the cost: buy a muni pass! I can't stress this enough if you're going to be in town and ride the cable car more than once. You have the option of a 1, 3, or 7 day pass. This includes the cable car.

Current prices are as follows:

1 day pass - $11

3 day pass -$18

7 day pass - $24

As you can tell, if you ride the cable car more than once, the cost will quickly add up so this will be worth it. In additon to the cable car, your pass also enables you to ride on any Muni vehicle (buses, historic street cars, etc...)

Cable Car Museum

If you're interested in knowing more about the history of the cable cars and how they work, it may be worth your time to visit the cable car museum which is free to all visitors. http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

For more Muni info, visit http://www.sfmuni.com/