San Francisco is synonymous with the Golden Gate Bridge, but do you recognize that it's also home to the dreaded Alcatraz Prison? Located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz or “The Rock” held the most dangerous criminals before it was closed down in the 1970s. It had quite a reputation too, as a prison that was virtually impossible for inmates to escape. Today, it's one of the attractions in San Francisco, not least because of stories about the ghosts of inmates who died still haunting the place. Rent a car in San Francisco and find Pier 39, a few blocks eastward you can find Pier 33. Or go to 80 Francisco at Kearny about a block away from Alcatraz landing.
49 Miles
Ever wonder where the term 49rs came from? The city's dimension is about 49 square miles and there's also the 49-Mile Drive, one of the city's most enduring attractions although it changed routes several times over the years. It's sort of tradition for tourists to do the drive. With your car rental in San Francisco, you can do the 49-Mile Drive by starting at city hall and just following the signs.
Other sights to see
There are other attractions in San Francisco that you shouldn't miss while you are out there. There's the California Academy of Sciences, for example, which includes a visit to the planetarium, penguin exhibit, swamp exhibit including a white alligator. There's also the Angel Island which would lead you to a trip down memory lane from such landmarks like Camp Reynolds, which was built by the U. S. Army in 1863, the Nike Missile Silo and Fort McDowell.
Rent a car in San Francisco and try to visit these sights: the China Town, the Cliff House, although operating as a restaurant, people have been coming to the Cliff House for photo souvenirs. There's also Fillmore Street, Golden Gate Park, the old Jackson Square, North Beach and find out why it's called “Little Italy.”
Important notes to remember
If your business is downtown, perhaps you should consider taking public transportation as the traffic gridlock particularly in 19th Avenue or the CA-1, which both lead to the Golden Gate Bridge. Also, if you get car rental San Francisco Airport and driving your way across the city, avoid at all costs the Lombard Street which can be found between Leavenworth and Hyde. There's a stretch there that is known as the “The Crookedest Street in the World.” It's also the most prone to traffic accidents.
But if your business is out of town, it's more convenient to rent a car San Francisco. Compare prices because insurance liability in San Francisco can be steep.
Martin Wynn
