Waymo Robotaxi Guide: San Francisco + Tokyo Expansion

Introduction

Looking for a smart way to get around San Francisco?

Try a Waymo taxi and experience autonomous-driving tech that keeps getting better every day. We took a ride from Grandview Park—a quiet residential hill in the city’s southwest—all the way to hotel-studded Nob Hill.

As the scenery shifts from narrow neighborhood streets to the bustling urban core, we’ll spotlight Waymo’s driving skills, the latest updates, and must-see stops along the way.

You can experience the trip virtually in the video below—give it a watch!

Performance on Residential Streets

Our route started in the southwest’s quiet residential zones.

Traffic lights are rare here—every intersection is guarded by a stop sign, and both curbs are packed with parked cars.

Even in this setting, Waymo’s driving felt remarkably confident.

The most striking part was how smoothly it handled stop signs: coming to a gentle, complete halt at exactly the right spot, then easing forward only after confirming the way was clear.

Its left and right turns were just as polished—no jarring slowdown, just a comfortable, well-paced glide through each corner.

Adapting to Road Conditions

Whenever the route hit raised pavement—speed bumps, or “humps,” designed to slow traffic—Waymo detected them early and eased off the throttle.

The result was a smooth glide without any harsh jolts, keeping passengers comfortably in their seats.

Its ability to read subtle changes in the road surface and adjust speed felt as intuitive as riding with a veteran human driver.

Waymo’s Technology　Safety

Waymo’s rock-solid safety record and silky ride come from a suite of cutting-edge tech.

Its roof-mounted “LiDAR” (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor measures the distance and shape of nearby objects with pinpoint accuracy, letting the car drive safely even at night, in fog, or under harsh sunlight where cameras alone would struggle.

Waymo also pre-builds detailed HD maps of every service area and uses them to understand its surroundings in real time.

That granular, location-specific data is another key to safe driverless operation.

In pedestrian-heavy spots—near hospitals, for example—the car will even pause if it detects someone on the sidewalk.

By eliminating the fatigue and stress that can cause human error, Waymo offers a level of safety traditional drivers can’t match.

Waymo’s History Evolution

It has taken roughly 15 years of R&D and real-world testing to achieve the safe, comfortable driverless-taxi experience we enjoy today.

San Francisco Sightseeing Highlights

Grandview Park

Our journey began at Grandview Park, an aptly named lookout with stunning panoramas.

From the summit you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and a sweeping view of the city.

On a clear day the scenery is truly spectacular, making it the perfect place to get your bearings.

Golden Gate Park & The Panhandle

Our route took us through Golden Gate Park, a vast green space covering roughly 4.1 km²—about 8.8 times the size of Tokyo Disneyland.

Right next door sits the Panhandle, a long, narrow park named for its frying-pan-like shape and cherished by locals as a casual hangout spot.

Alamo Square (Full House Filming Spot)

Alamo Square, seen in the opening credits of the hit sitcom Full House, is a hilltop park that delivers sweeping city views.

The colorful Victorian row houses known as “the Painted Ladies” lining the park are a must-snap photo spot.

The famous picnic scene from the show’s intro was filmed right here, and despite first being shot back in 1987, the setting is just as picture-perfect today.

Lombard Street

Lombard Street—famously billed as the “world’s most crooked road”—also shows up in the Full House opening and remains a top selfie spot.

Its steep slope features eight tight, zigzagging turns that create a postcard-ready scene tourists can’t resist. Sidewalks and stairways line both sides, so you can climb or descend on foot as well.

Other Nearby Attractions

Within easy reach of this route you’ll find plenty to explore—from the eerie ruins of what was once the world’s largest indoor swimming pool to hidden gems like Mile Rock Beach, plus crowd-pleasers such as Pier 39 and Alcatraz Island—letting you sample San Francisco’s many facets in a single outing.

Venture a bit farther north and you’ll come to Sausalito, a postcard-perfect harbor town that still exudes a timeless, old-school vibe.

Latest Waymo News: Global Expansion & New Initiatives

Tokyo Expansion Plans

One of the biggest headlines is Waymo’s planned move into Tokyo.

Partnering with major taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and the ride-hailing app GO, Waymo aims to begin on-road testing in early 2025.

During the pilot’s first phase, Nihon Kotsu drivers will operate Waymo vehicles manually to gather real-world data for deploying autonomous tech on Tokyo’s streets.

Testing will cover key districts such as Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto.

The cars will be the same Jaguar I-PACE EVs now running in San Francisco, giving Waymo a chance to fine-tune its software for left-hand traffic, narrow roads, complex intersections, and Tokyo’s seasonal weather patterns.

Strategic Partnership with Hyundai

In October 2024, Waymo announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Company.

The plan is to integrate Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous system—“Waymo Driver”—into Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 EV.

The IONIQ 5 is already a hit in California and will begin on-road tests in late 2025, with the goal of joining the Waymo One robotaxi fleet within the next few years.

Waymo Via (Logistics Service)

Waymo isn’t just for passengers; it also runs a commercial freight program called “Waymo Via.”

By fitting its autonomous tech onto heavy semitrucks, the company aims to boost long-haul efficiency and safety.

Tests and operations are under way in high-freight corridors across Texas, Arizona, and California, promising fewer human-error crashes, round-the-clock service, and gentler handling that protects cargo.

Why Waymo Is Great for Sightseeing

The biggest selling points of using Waymo for sightseeing in San Francisco are its top-notch safety record and overall comfort.

The cabin feels spacious, the seats are plush, and mellow music plays in the background, so you can actually relax while you ride. In a city famous for steep hills, it also spares you a lot of uphill walking.

On busy days or during peak hours, your car may take longer to arrive, and service is still geo-fenced, meaning only certain neighborhoods are covered.

For now, iconic spots like the Golden Gate Bridge remain outside the operational zone, so double-check the map when planning your itinerary.

Recap: The Future of Getting Around

Our ride from Grandview Park to Nob Hill proved just how advanced Waymo’s self-driving tech has become—and how handy it is for sightseeing in San Francisco.

From tight residential lanes to the hustle and bustle of downtown, its ability to handle every environment is the payoff of 15 years of RD.

Most impressive of all, Waymo never feels “mechanical.”

It brakes, corners, and reacts to the road with the finesse of a courteous human driver, showing that autonomous technology has truly entered the real-world, everyday-use stage.

With Tokyo trials on the horizon, this comfortable ride could soon be available in Japan as well.

If you’re heading to San Francisco, give Waymo a try and experience the future of mobility for yourself.

This article is based on rides taken in 2024. Waymo’s service areas and features may change without notice, and rollout schedules for new markets—such as Tokyo or Miami—are subject to revision.