C O M I N G   T O   S A N   F R A N C I S C O

If you are flying into San Francisco, you have a choice of two airports. The Oakland Airport is, of course, in Oakland, on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay, and is connected to San Francisco via the Bay Bridge. It is primarily a destination for domestic flights. San Francisco International (SFO) is the major airport in the area and accommodates larger airlines and international flights. Parking and driving in San Francisco, if you aren’t used to it, can be a challenge. Here are some ways to get into the City if you choose to not drive.

If you fly into Oakland Airport:
  • Taxi – Although catching a cab is convenient, a cab from Oakland can be expensive ($60 and up). You can catch a cab at the taxi stand at the airport
  • BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, www.bart.gov/guide/airport) – BART is the commuter train system, and it is inexpensive and convenient. From the airport, exit the terminal and go to the “Air BART” vending machine at the bus stop. You’ll need to buy a bus ticket ($2 – exact change) for the Air BART shuttle. The shuttle will drop you off at the Coliseum BART station. There, you will need to buy a BART ticket ($3.15 from Coliseum to Powell Street, downtown San Francisco). BART tickets are like debit cards – you put an amount of money on the ticket, and when you use the ticket the fare is deducted. Take the Daly City train (blue or green line).
If you fly into SFO:
  • Taxi – A taxi into San Francisco is convenient and easy. You can catch a cab at any taxi stand when you exit the terminal. It will cost about $40.
  • BART – BART trains also run from SFO to downtown. You catch it near the international terminal (you can walk from your terminal or take the free AirTrain, to the station). You can take the Richmond or Baypoint/Pittsburgh trains to Powell Street, and it will cost $4.95.
  • Super Shuttle (www.supershuttle.com) is super easy from SFO. Super Shuttle is a door – to – door van shuttle service. Exit the terminal and go to the shuttle stop area. A Super Shuttle employee will ask where you want to go, and will group you in a van together with others going in that general direction. The driver will then drop you off at your location. It costs about $20.

If you take BART into the city and you are staying in or near one of the hotels we recommend, it’s easy to get to your hotel. Come up from the train station to Powell Street and walk two blocks toward Union Square (follow the Cable Car route). The Westin is on the corner of Geary and Powell. One block further, turn left on Post Street and the Kensington Park is just on the right side.

If you’re staying at the Parker Guesthouse, exit the BART station and, remaining in the underground terminal at Powell Street, walk to the MUNI station. You will need $1.25 in change to ride MUNI (San Francisco’s municipal transit system – separate from BART). Once you are through the turnstiles, go down to the tracks and take the J Church train, in the Outbound direction. The underground train becomes a street car at the Church Street station, and it drives right past the Parker Guesthouse. Ring for a stop once you get to 17th Street. Parker Guesthouse will be on your right.