Scenic 49 Mile Drive
Scenic 49 Mile Drive
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
467 reviews
Excellent
291
Very good
144
Average
28
Poor
4
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0
Thomas V
Oakland, CA14,587 contributions
Jul 2022
It is a scenic drive and it does take you to just about all of the important sites in town. But traffic is always dense and it takes a very long time to go a short distance, so patience is required.
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nancy K
14 contributions
Jul 2022
went over the GG Bridge via Lincoln Blvd you get the best views of the bridge for photos Hands down No other area can you get the views as you can thereon the scenic 49 mile drive The crookedist street Lombard etc
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Africache
Grass Valley, CA479 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
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.
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.
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John M
Santa Cruz, CA4,368 contributions
Jul 2021
Watch for the signs directing you to the scenic drive. The views are different on the scenic drive, compared to the usual busy streets.
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
duck8to
Montville, NJ6,855 contributions
Mar 2020
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.
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.
Written 5 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mini
Fremont, CA175,387 contributions
Jun 2020
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.
Written 30 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
norman
Farnborough, UK419 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
If you're looking at your SF guide book thinking "Crikey, where do we start?" then a day spent on this driving tour gets you around the city's main sights, attractions and scenic points. Parking along the route was pretty easy on street and where there are meters they take credit cards - so if you want to take an hour out to visit a place, grab refreshments, stroll around one of the parks, explore Chinatown or Fisherman's Wharf then you can!
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roving291359
11 contributions
Feb 2020
Took a partial walking tour of this Drive from Chinatown to Fisherman's Wharf. Lots to see and learn about!
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA14,587 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a wonderful way to see much of the city and the sites, but be aware that traffic has become very congested, so this is not for the feint of heart. Be prepared for delays.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GPBurdell67
Asheville, NC1,975 contributions
Aug 2019
After many visits to SF over the years and concentrating on the highlights, we decided to try the 49 Mile Drive to see more out-of-the-way places. We certainly did not see it all (it would takes many days if you stop along the way -- and you will) but it is a good way to see under underappreciated places outside the super busy tourist areas.
Written 25 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
7coffees
Vancouver Island, Canada4 contributions
Is there a narrated app and map for the 49 mile drive?
It is much better to WALK it--a section at a time. (Too much traffic congestion to drive these days.)
—You can get a turn-by-turn WALKING guide (broken down into 17 walks), with points of interest, historic details, etc. aptly named: "Walking San Francisco's 49 Mile Scenic Drive" (on Amazon).
—There is an iOS app for walking the three most popular section of the 49 Mile route (Chinatown, The Presidio, Golden Gate Park): search "Uncover Discover"
—You can get a Google map for walking or driving (but it does NOT have points of interest) at: bit.ly/49MAP
Fotomom3
Raleigh, NC162 contributions
Can you just drive the route yourself? Or is there a fee. If so how much?
Thank you
KLE2013
Centreville, VA3,680 contributions
The route is designed for you to drive yourself at your own pace. As the blue and white seagull signs that marked the drive are sometimes missing at places, try using the phone app that provides directions. Take the time to park and explore the city while on your drive, especially in Golden Gate Park where the cherry trees in the Japanese Tea Garden will soon be in blossom, at Land's End for views of the Golden Gate and The Palace of the Legion of Honor where the art inside is matched by the magnificent views of the bay outside. Nob Hill, Ghirardelli, the Wharf, so much to experience in this amazing city where I was fortunate to live for 20+ years.
And if you have the time, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County and make a visit to Muir Woods where you can experience the majestic coastal redwood trees. Just be sure to go early in the day since the parking lot often fills up by late morning.
Hack W
128 contributions
Driving around what's the bestfree parking spots
Cookingforpleasure
Paris, France149 contributions
there is not parking spot... that is the problem....
sarchrisa
Kamloops, Canada16 contributions
Would this drive be easy to do if pulling a 22 ft travel trailer? More specifically, would traffic be very busy and parking at the attractions etc. be doable? Or would it just be a nightmare? Thanks in advance!
Zman47
Oakland California227 contributions
Tried doing this 49 mile drive through greater San Francisco years ago driving a camper 19 foot front to rear
A nightmare for even a Bay area native
Part of the drive is steep hills, some sharp curves and the traffic is mighty heavy
Parking is tough to impossible in most spots
Drop the trailer in a campground near to the Bay Area and drive in. Use WAZE to give verbal and visual directions
It would not be fun for even a very good native driver who had a great rig
Would not recommend this under any circumstance
Is there a gps route that I can follow? I see it on google maps but doesn't actually lead you through it.
Monique P
Smithfield, VA21 contributions
Its a narrow street that you can only go one way. you will not get lost because you will see the tourist.
MaryFredTallahassee
Tallahassee, FL23 contributions
The dumbest question you'll read today: Where does this drive start and end?
djkudrak
Lafayette, IN213 contributions
Hi there,
Well it doesn't actually "start" or "end" anywhere because it's a loop through and around the city. If you look at sftodo. com it shows a map of the whole drive and it lists point 1 of the scenic stops at the Embarcadero/Folsom St. That's probably as good a place as any to start but you certainly don't have to.
Hope that helps.
SCENIC 49 MILE DRIVE (San Francisco) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Scenic 49 Mile Drive
- Hotels near Scenic 49 Mile Drive:
- (0.15 km) Homewood Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport-North
- (0.21 km) DoubleTree by Hilton San Francisco Airport North Bayfront
- (0.66 km) Sonesta ES Suites San Francisco Airport Oyster Point Waterfront
- (0.77 km) Sonesta Select San Francisco Airport Oyster Point Waterfront
- (1.00 km) AC Hotel San Francisco Airport/Oyster Point Waterfront
- Restaurants near Scenic 49 Mile Drive:
- (0.00 km) Virgin Atlantic Lounge SFO
- (0.21 km) WhiteCaps Drinks + Eats
- (2.39 km) Sodini's Bertolucci's
- (2.56 km) Buon Gusto Ristorante
- (1.16 km) Dominic's at Oyster Point