Car Hire Union Square — Right in the Heart of San Francisco

Union Square is the beating heart of San Francisco’s visitor district. Surrounded by luxury hotels, flagship stores, and the famous cable car turnaround, it’s where most tourists base themselves. Picking up a rental car here means you’re already in the city, ready to head out to wine country, the coast, or across the Golden Gate Bridge without backtracking to the airport.

Picking Up Your Rental Car at Union Square

Several car rental companies operate within a few blocks of Union Square. Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget all have offices in the area, typically in underground parking garages or dedicated lots on streets like O’Farrell, Ellis, or Geary. Most are within a 5-minute walk of the square. Some hotels have on-site rental desks — ask your concierge.

Book ahead, especially on weekends and during conventions. Downtown fleets are smaller than airport locations, and walk-up availability isn’t guaranteed. Standard requirements: drivers must be 21+, with additional fees for under-25s. Bring passport, driver’s licence (with IDP for international visitors), and a credit card in the main driver’s name.

Pickup hours vary — most locations open 7am–7pm weekdays, shorter hours on weekends. Some offer after-hours pickup with advance arrangement. Driving out of Union Square means navigating one-way streets and steep hills. Use a GPS app, and don’t be afraid to circle the block if you miss a turn. The safest route out is usually south on Van Ness Avenue, which connects to Highway 101.

Where to Go from Union Square

From this central location, day trips unlock the best of Northern California:

• Golden Gate Bridge & Marin Headlands — Drive north on Van Ness, then follow signs to the bridge. 20–30 minutes. Cross into Marin County and climb into the headlands for the classic SF skyline photo. Continue to Sausalito for lunch by the water.
• Napa Valley — Head north on Highway 101, then east on Highway 37. 60–90 minutes depending on traffic and your destination winery. World-class tastings, Michelin-starred restaurants, and beautiful vineyard scenery.
• Monterey & Carmel — South on Highway 1. 90 minutes to Monterey. The 17-Mile Drive ($11.25) and Carmel’s fairytale downtown are worth the trip. Continue to Big Sur for dramatic coastal cliffs.
• Half Moon Bay — West on Highway 1. 40 minutes. Less crowded than Monterey, with great beaches, tide pools, and farm-to-table dining.
• Silicon Valley — South on Highway 101. 45–60 minutes. See Stanford University, drive past tech campuses, and explore Palo Alto’s University Avenue dining scene.

Tips for Driving in the USA

Driving conventions in the US may differ from Europe or elsewhere:

• Speed limits are in miles per hour (mph) — 25mph in city centres, 35mph on major streets, 55–65mph on freeways. Speed limits are enforced by radar and camera.
• Right turns on red — You may turn right at a red light after stopping, unless a sign says “No Right Turn on Red.” This is legal throughout California.
• Four-way stops — Common at smaller intersections. First to arrive proceeds first. If two cars arrive simultaneously, yield to the car on your right.
• Parking — San Francisco parking is notoriously difficult. Read every sign — street sweeping, permit-only, and time limits are aggressively enforced. Meters accept credit cards. Garages charge $20–40/day.
• Tolls — The Golden Gate Bridge tolls southbound only. Bay Bridge tolls westbound. Both are cashless — you’ll be billed by mail or pay via FasTrak.
• Driving side — Drive on the right. The driver sits on the left side of the car.

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