For one who has long championed the cause of San Francisco as one of the world's greatest ”walkabout'' cities the prospect of exploring the City by the Bay by car held little appeal for me.
Getting around by the city's iconic cable cars, ok - once you've mastered the technique of hanging-on and learning which lines go where - but ”car” cars in the hilly city which is not without its parking woes, was a daunting thought. (Not to mention re-adapting to driving on the ”wrong” side of the road.)
But these were not ordinary cars and we'll confidently predict the GPS-guided bright yellow, two-seater, three-wheel convertibles will become part of the tourist scene, not only in San Francisco but in cities across the US and the world. The immediate advantage is you escape from the coach tour track which remains, albeit, as a good way to see the place.
The new, so-called GoCars, are easy to handle and fun to drive with the GPS-timed recorded voice instruction telling you where to go, when to turn, what the major sights are along your route, without missing any of the essentials.
An itinerary, setting off from famed Fisherman's Wharf, can be set to take anything up to five hours. You decide. The commentary goes on hold whenever the car stops.
There is even “boot space'' for handbags, camera bags, whatever you decide to take with you.
Importantly the vehicles snugly fit into the average motorcycle parking spot.
The GoCars can be hired from just $52 an hour - cheap at the price measured against the enjoyment they provide.
They are part of new San Francisco tour options on sale here from Explore Holidays.
Other staples include walking tours of Chinatown incorporating a multi-course luncheon, with dim sum, which rivals anything they can produce in Hong Kong.
For more information, talk to a licensed travel agent or visit www.exploreholidays.com.au
The GoCars are a great add-on but a visit to San Francisco without a cable car ride is incomplete.
Basically, the car turntable at Powell and Market is the hub for the Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines, with the former famous for its run up and over Nob Hill and down to Fisherman's Wharf.
Powell-Hyde climbs both Nob and Russian Hills, reaching sea level near the “must visit'' Ghirardelli Sq with its vast range of shops and restaurants.
There is also a California St line from the financial district through Chinatown and over Nob Hill.
Confused? Read the signs painted on the cable cars. | 
