I don't drive either. I use buses, trains, walking, or going with person/crew who has a car. not using a car has a perks like some mentioned. But it is helpful. I sometimes prefer walking, or public transportation... because I wanna be healthy LOL

Google earth for combing. Honestly, with an area small enough to be within walking/biking distance, just manually combing over it wouldn't be that hard.

One of the most active and prolific explorers I know in Houston is also a long distance longboarder. Not the route I would prefer taking, but it shows there are always options.

Hitchhike. Aim for windowless white panel vans, because they... um... are more inconspicuous. Yeah that.

Also a bonus if they offer you candy! Gives you some energy for the expedition. Definitely trust guys who offer candy - especially to drive you somewhere remote and illegal!

I spent a few months in SF and did quite a bit of exploring without a car. Granted I was staying in the city, but I know there's tons of public transit available for the whole Bay area. It certainly does make it more challenging! Maybe start out with searching for steam tunnels on active college campuses, or trying rooftops. Those places should be easy to get to with public transit.

You'll also probably need to do more of your research online than you otherwise would. Use Google Maps, Bing Maps, the Superfund database, real estate sites, and lots and lots of different Google searches. Or just go riding around randomly on the BART / MUNI with a pen and paper and a GPS, writing down coordinates of anything you see that has potential, then go back and do your research online before making a special trip.

Actually, I find bicycle is still one of the best ways to explore. It doesn't stand out like a car does, and it is useful for getting into narrower areas, where a car may not fit, but walking would take longer.

Outside of that, I have used public transit numerous times. Especially in the bigger cities, there are enough buses and stuff to get you plenty close to locations.

I get my car-owning friends interested in exploring and then bum rides off of them

Maybe there are rideshare companies in your area? Or, dunno, something on craigslist? In europe there is "blablacar" maybe there is something similar in states,too. It's cheaper than taking public transportation i guess

Sometimes it's even exciting to take public transportation, especially trains...There are very high chances that there is something abandoned around railways (mostly industrial abandonements).

I don't have a car and i've tried lots of options. Trains,rural bus lines,intercity bus lines,ridesharing,trams,metro,bycicle,hitchiking and endless walking in rural areas. Basically think of ANY option possible. Maybe some of your relatives once in a week or month goes to another city/area so you can join for a ride.

Posted by rayfang2000 What sucks is I live in a super clean Silicon Valley-en suburbia, there is like zero abandoned places. Usually I have to explore in a bunch of active locations.

This was super-sarcasm, right? LOL...although most of the "greats" have been torn down, there's tons out there, either being abandoned, torn down, "built" (stalled due to the economy or due to archaeological reasons)...etc. etc.

I came for the Uber comment. I realize this post is old, sorry!