There’s just no beating living in the Bay Area – the sights, the food, and the weather are some of our favorite things. But one thing that can be brutal is the traffic. What looks like a short drive for errands or an easy commute quickly turn into hours of stop-and-go traffic, lines of red lights, packed streets, and tricky hills. Lifelong Bay Area residents and tourists alike can run into the same problems. So when you can’t take public transportation to avoid the stress, what do you do? Follow our top driving tips to navigate the Bay Area like a pro!
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Four Tips for Driving in the Bay Area
Know Your Route
Even those familiar with the streets and hills of the Bay Area know that one wrong turn can end up in confusion, as well as a long detour. Plan your route, check out your destination online, and use navigation with live traffic conditions to avoid traffic jams and construction.
Find the Right Vehicle
How you drive is just as important as what you drive, and choosing the right vehicle for the Bay Area comes down to a few key points. You can read more about that here, but what it comes down to is picking a vehicle that fits your lifestyle. Live in the heart of the city? Go compact. Have a long commute? Electric or hybrid is the way to go!
Practice Parallel Parking
Parallel parking can be intimidating if you aren’t used to it. Instead of avoiding your favorite neighborhoods, why not practice? It can take a few tries to master the skill, but once you do, you’ll have a much easier time finding parking. Bonus: you can avoid a hilly walk when you can park near your destination!
Watch for Pedestrians and Cyclists
The Bay Area has miles and miles of bike paths, trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes that offer some of the best ways to enjoy the city. Pedestrians and cyclists are everywhere, so when you’re driving, be sure to pay close attention to your surroundings and be aware of those on foot or two wheels. You might want to find a vehicle with features like pedestrian detection to add an extra layer of safety to your drive. Always yield to pedestrians and read up on bike laws, too.
Get Your Bay Area Ride at Carnamic
Need help finding the right vehicle to get you around in the Bay Area? Visit us today at one of our Carnamic locations to drive the streets of Redwood City, Hayward, San Leandro, and beyond! Check out our available inventory online or contact us to schedule your test drive. Our team can give you more tips and tricks for driving the Bay Area safely in your new ride.
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