Travelling with a 2-Year-old and a 2-Month Old in San Francisco

If you are going to be staying within SF proper, renting a car makes NO sense at all because of the cost and scarcity of parking. Between the MUNI system (subway/streetcars/buses), and BART, you can get nearly everywhere you want to go. However, if you are going to be leaving the City and going exploring in the larger area, a car might make sense for you guys.

MUNI will still be running at midnight, so I wouldn't worry about that at all.

However there may be times when you want the option of using a cab. You might want to ask the concierge at your hotel if they have carseats you can rent/borrow, or what they recommend?

Have fun on your trip!

It's fine to take a taxi for a short ride w/o carseats- people do it all the time here and in NYC and the cab drivers are used to it:) And yes, your husband is right, you can see SF by public transpotation, and parking is IMPOSSIBLE in SF. Definately bring an umbrella stroller for the 2 year old and 2 baby bjorns or Ergos for the babies:) It has been rainy and cold here all week- it is supposed to be partly cloudy on Sat and partly sunny on Sunday, but still not warm- bring appropraite clothing. Have fun!

If it helps, you don't have to have car seats for a cab ride.

SF is very manageable without a car. However, it will be rainy all weekend. As I recall travelers to SF arrive in the East Bay in Emeryville and then take a bus ride into the city. SFMuni has night owl service - you should check the schedule: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mroutes/indxrout.htm.

The California Street Cable Car Line is undergoing upgrades through June 19. Motor coaches [buses] will provide service. The hours of service and leaving times from terminals remain the same as per the MUNI Schedule. Regular bus fares and transfer policies apply.

The 1 California Bus Line starts near the Ferry Terminal and then goes up Sacramento Street and would get you very close to your destination. If you arrive at the CalTrain terminal from the bus ride over the bay, then take the 30 Stockton bus outbound - you would have to walk a few blocks.
Have a great time!

I think your husband is right about the car. SF has great public transportation and I think having to deal with finding and paying for parking will be worse than hopping on a bus or cable car. As for getting to your hotel at around midnight, I don't understand why you can't take a cab. Will they not pick you up if you have children without a car seat or is it you don't want them in the car without the car seat? Other than a taxi, i really don't know how you would get there at that time of night unless you can check with your hotel to see if they have a car that can pick you up (but then again, you have the car seat issue.)