We have driven Scenic 49 Mile Drive in San Francisco Numerous times. This time we enjoyed driving it again. There are various points of interest, scenic views, and of course lots of things to do.

http://www.sfvisitor.org/maps/html/49milemap.html I am a local so maybe I have a different experience when I drive the 49 mile scenic route. My suggestion is if you are visiting San Francisco or you live here and have a car or have friend you can borrow a car from do this drive! Okay yes, driving in San Francisco is a talent all its own and it technically starts you off in the worst part of the city to drive in but at least it gets easier. Driving in the city can also be an experience all its own, just give it a go. Due to difficult, hard to find and expensive parking in downtown, chinatown and civic center I suggest you cruise through there and see the sights from the car window. If you spot something you want to spend more time at make a note of it and come back later. Chances are you are staying in the downtown area and can easily get back on foot or by bus. Once you are out of the insane downtown area you can slow down take it easy a bit. Stop into Fort Mason Center (I work in the main office www.fortmason.org) and check out the free and cheap museums as well as the views of the golden gate bridge that start there and stretch down crissy field. Continue to the bridge and take some photos. Keep following the coast then take a rest at the Palace of the Legion of Honor. THey have some fabulous art exhibits and every tuesday is free http://www.thinker.org/legion/index.asp. Drop down to Ocean beach and pass the Sutro Baths and the Cliff House (or stop there for lunch if you want). I reccommend having lunch at the Beach or Park Chalet just at the bottom of the hill and the edge of Golden Gate Park. The Beach Chalet looks out over Ocean Beach (the tourist choice) but I think the better food is at Park Chalet wich is owned by the same people and is just downstairs (the locals choice). They are a brewery and the beer is quite good. Next is the Great Highway which runs right along Ocean Beach. It is all very beautiful but keep in mind that there is no place to stop let alone park between Lincoln and Sloat ( about a 5 min. drive at a constant 30mph). Nothing special about sunset blvd. But when you get back to the Park there is plenty to see. As long as it is not an event day (marathon, footrace, concert) parking isn't too difficult through most of the park. THe Japanese Tea Gardens are lovely and when the California Academy of Sciences returns to the park it will be amazing! (temporarly living at 4th and Folsom). The DeYoung Museum is set to reopen soon and that will be delightful too. The Conservatory of FLowers is a beautiful place and recently reopened. At this point I think you should stray from the path and take a drive down Haight Street then back track to the original path. On now to Twin Peaks where you can see the entire city. This is also a great place to go at night for a fantastic city lights view, just check the weather first. Driving the winding road in fog is scary and it can get very windy up there day and night. Dolores Park has some lovely postcard scenery. The route takes you down Ceasar Chavez where, again, I think you should detour through the mission to check out the wonderful murals and atmosphere. THey also have the BEST burritos north of the border! Last but not least after a short freeway time a drive by PacBell or rather SBC park. If you can make a trip back and do a walk from the park all the way to the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero. There peep holes to look inside the stadium, you can chatch a glimpse of a Giants game if it is game day. Now back to the beginning. Enjoy!

49 Mile Drive is a wonderful meandering route throughout San Francisco, laid out in such a manner that you can just follow the signs (do pay attention though) and make random stops as you so desire. Think of this as your own personal "Hop-on-Hop-off" tour - except that you have the freedom to pick and choose. The only downside will be having to deal with parking along the way, vs being on a tour bus where you don't have to worry about this. If you google this phrase ( "49-mile-scenic-drive-san-francisco.pdf" ) , it will produce a map that you can download and print, or save to your phone, as there are a few times upon the drive that staying on the route requires some focus :)

The 49 Mile Scenic Drive was created in 1938 in order to showcase the highlights of the City of San Francisco. for the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition. It was already a convoluted route which originally began at city Hall and ended on Treasure Island. Since 1939 the route has been altered somewhat but still remains convoluted and today plagued with traffic problems and poor maintenance of signage. Specifically, the Seagull in profile with a blue background signs have been badly faded and not all are clearly visible. You will need to use the internet to get a clear description of the route. Some of the major sites along the route are City Hall, Asian Art Museum, Little Saigon, Japan Town, Union Square, China Town, Telegraph Hill, Lombard Street, Coit tower, Fishermen's Wharf, Palace of fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Lake Merced, California Academy of the Sciences, Haight-Ashbury, Twin Peaks The Castro and Oracle Park. Parking at these various sites runs the range of easy to very difficult. Metered street parking is available at some locations. Due to the numerous hassles involved in trying to run the route most tourists opt for city transportation or the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus.

This was a mixed tour. Pro: we were fortunate to not have horrible traffic so we were able to navigate some of The tour with ease. Once you see the scenic signs it is easier to see where you are going. You go to places I wouldn’t have gone to. It killed time while waiting for our hotel checkin. Cons: they didn’t take you to painted ladies or Lombard street. There was no narrative to under stand what you were seeing. I know there was something on the website but you can’t read it as you were driving. I would hesitantly recommend this not for new people to SF but if you have been here before and want to see something different.

The 49 mile drive sounds good but many of the attractions you may want to see have no place to park, as my wife said ; hello-goodbye as we drove around looking for a place to park. In Little Italy we finally found a place to park 5 blocks away. China town, forget about it! We returned our rented car and bought a three day pass for the Trolley and bus system. Recommed not by car.

Driving in San Francisco is not for the feint of heart as the congestion is formidable. But this route takes you through most of the fantastic parts of town. So you will see a lot.

As an SF resident, I have taken many visitors on the tour and I enjoy it every time. I always discover something new about the City even though I've live here for 20 years. You will hit all the must sees and can choose the do the entire 49 miles or just pieces. Go through GGPARK, Ocean Beach, the Presidio, twin Peaks, the Mission, the Embarcadero, Fisherman's wharf - take your selfies and see the Best of SF.

We took the double decker bus tour of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. It was excellent. Tour Guide gave a history some of the buildings, shops, alcatraz and of course the bridge. We were able to get great pictures because our driver and guide knew all the best places to get the best and i must say most interesting photos. Our tour took us both ways over the bridge. Be aware and take a hooded jacket! The wind and coolness of the water makes it a very cold ride on top of the bus. Our guide also pointed out Angel Island and gave us a little history of it. We saw many churches, early buildings from the 1800's, and San Francisco Time Square//Financial Market Area. You can get off the bus at any stopping area and get on another one. You can even walk the Golden Gate Bridge, or ride a bicycle over it.

We live in San Francisco and I love taking our guests from out of town on this route, except that I have cut it a little short and avoid some of the boring parts of the route to make it close to 20 mile drive, but still touch on all the main scenic parts. I also make a little detour and take our guest down the crooked part of the Lombard street, somehow it didn't make it on the 49 mile drive. Check out this write up about the 49 mile drive: http://www.answerbunch.com/Answer/990/49-mile-scenic-route-in-San-Francis