Waymo Fun Than Walking
There’s something special about reconnecting with old friends—especially when it happens in a place as vibrant and eclectic as San Francisco’s Mission District.
I recently spent a weekend there with three of my college friends, and it was everything we hoped for: great food, endless laughter, and the kind of conversations that pick up right where they left off.
But what made this reunion even more memorable? A spontaneous ride in a driverless Waymo.
Well, I had planned to try Waymo on this trip, so when the opportunity popped up, it was the perfect moment to put that plan into action.
Gliding through the city streets without a human behind the wheel felt like stepping into the future—equal parts surreal and exciting.
The Mission District, with its colorful murals, buzzing taquerias, and laid-back energy, was the perfect backdrop for our mini adventure.
At a Glance: Ride in a Driverless Waymo EV
The Challenge: Not Walk 3 Miles to Amoeba Music, San Francisco
Pulling it Off: The Magic Waymo App
Ride Visuals: Watching Waymo Navigate
Best Waymo Practices: Relax, Don’t Touch
OVERALL RATING: 7/5 stars
EV Road Trip to Amoeba Music: The Challenge
We stayed at the charming Bed & Breakfast Inn San Francisco, tucked away at 943 South Van Ness Avenue.
Its location was ideal for exploring the Mission District on foot. But when we decided to venture out to the Castro, the crisp morning air made the walk feel more like a trek than a stroll.
We decided to catch a Waymo to Amoeba Music at 1855 Haight Street, then wander down Haight Street to explore its iconic bars and quirky shops as the afternoon warmed up.
The challenge was simple: Skip the 3-mile walk and let technology do the heavy lifting.
The morning was clear and windy, and after a hearty breakfast, we summoned our chariot to carry us across town.
It was a surreal moment—watching the car pull up with no one behind the wheel, ready to take us on a ride through the heart of San Francisco.
EV Ride in a Driverless Waymo Jaguar i-Pace: How We Pulled It Off
Requesting the car was as easy as typing in our destination, requesting a ride, and confirming payment in the Waymo app.
The app searched for an available vehicle and provided real-time updates on its route.
The requested Waymo car’s location
I had set up the Waymo app a few months earlier, and when I opened it in central Missouri, a message appeared stating that I was not in a service area and couldn’t use the app.
After arriving in the Mission District, the app no longer showed the out-of-service-area message, and I typed in the destination address.
The Waymo app spun for a minute before assigning a car to drive to our pickup location.
In less than four minutes, a Jaguar I-PACE EV arrived, my initials glowing on the top turret.
Our chariot awaits and the adventure begins.
EV Ride in a Driverless Waymo Jaguar i-Pace: Visual Highlights
As the car arrived, I fumbled with the app for a moment before successfully accepting the ride and unlocking the doors.
Climbing in, a calm voice greeted us, reminding us to buckle up—something we later learned was more for protection from other drivers than the car itself.
The Waymo operator turned out to be a remarkably confident driver.
The car accelerated smoothly yet assertively, merging into traffic with the kind of precision you’d expect from a seasoned human behind the wheel.
It handled lane changes, stop signs, and unpredictable pedestrians with calm efficiency, never hesitating or second-guessing its decisions.
At first, we watched with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, but that quickly gave way to fascination. Seeing the steering wheel turn on its own and feeling the car respond to the environment in real time was mesmerizing.
Within minutes, any lingering anxiety about the absence of a human driver melted away, replaced by a sense of wonder at the technology quietly doing its job.
Each seat in the Waymo—front passenger and back—had its own sleek touchscreen display, offering real-time, 3D views of the surrounding streets as we cruised through the city.
The interface was intuitive and surprisingly immersive: other Waymo vehicles appeared in white, while nearby cars and pedestrians were highlighted in blue, giving us a clear sense of how the vehicle was navigating its environment.
Soft ambient music played in the background, adding a calm, almost futuristic vibe to the ride. Luckily, we could select different music to match our mood.
The screen also let us adjust the cabin temperature with just a tap—no need to ask anyone or fumble with knobs. It was a small detail, but it made the experience feel even more personalized and hands-free.
As we neared our destination, the Waymo encountered a common urban challenge: no safe spot to pull over.
Rather than stopping abruptly or blocking traffic, the vehicle calmly assessed the situation, then made a calculated decision to circle the block in search of a better option.
It eventually found an opening—on the opposite side of the street—and smoothly looped around to let us out safely.
Watching the car work through the problem on its own was fascinating. It felt less like riding in a taxi and more like observing a thoughtful, rule-abiding driver making real-time decisions.
EV Ride in a Driverless Waymo Jaguar i-Pace: Best Practices
Riding in a Waymo is intuitive, but there are a few best practices that make the experience smoother, safer, and more respectful of the technology at work.
Waymo Car Driving in The Mission District, San Francisco
Follow the Rules - Or Face a Scolding
🔒 Buckle Up
The vehicle won’t begin driving until it detects that all doors are closed.
As the Jaguar merged into traffic, a gentle voice and on-screen prompts reminded everyone to buckle up, accompanied by the car’s built-in safety chimes echoing softly through the cabin.
After about a minute, an override button appears, allowing you to confirm that everyone is secure—even if the system isn’t fully convinced.
📱 Use the Screen for Adjustments
Need to change the temperature, check your route, or end the ride early?
The touchscreen interface is your command center.
It’s responsive, easy to use, and designed to give you control over your comfort without compromising the vehicle’s autonomy.
🚪 Be Mindful of Doors and Windows
When I exited the vehicle, I left my window slightly rolled down.
As the car pulled away, it quietly rolled the window up on its own.
It’s a small but impressive detail that shows how the system checks for security before continuing its journey.
🚫 Don’t Touch the Controls
Though there’s no driver, the front seat still includes a steering wheel and other traditional controls.
These are strictly off-limits. The vehicle is fully autonomous, and any interference could disrupt its operation.
Later that evening, we shared our Waymo experience with an acquaintance at a bar. He laughed and told us about his own ride—one that came with an unexpected twist.
At one point, he instinctively reached over to turn on the windshield wipers.
Big mistake.
The car immediately pulled over, and a human voice came through the speakers, asking sharply what he was doing. They reminded him that touching the controls violates the user agreement.
After a flurry of apologies and a sincere promise never to do it again, the ride resumed.
It was, as he put it, a hilarious & humiliating scolding from a robot chaperone—and a memorable reminder that in a Waymo, you’re strictly a passenger.
Birds Eye Review: EV Ride in a Driverless Waymo Jaguar i-Pace
Our ride in the Waymo was smooth, fascinating, and surprisingly human-like in its decision-making.
From the moment we buckled in, to the moment it circled the block to find a safe drop-off, the experience felt both futuristic and intuitive.
The in-car screens, ambient music, and thoughtful safety features made it clear that this wasn’t just a ride—it was a glimpse into the future of urban mobility.
Even the smallest details, like auto-closing windows and a firm reminder not to touch the controls, added to the sense of riding in something truly next-gen.
While walking through the Mission District, I was amazed to see those tech-enhanced Jaguar EVs zipping by—one every five minutes or less.
I can totally see Waymo turning this into a lease program for busy professionals—imagine getting work done while the car takes you to your next meeting.
I wish I’d had something like this back when I was running my business…
Still hesitant about riding in a driverless car?
Take the plunge—you might be surprised by how natural it feels.
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