service1010

Spending a couple of days in Napa.

My flight from SFO doesn't leave until 7pm

I would like to drop off my rental car early in the morning and then take BART to Chinatown.

My plan to to meander around town, eat lunch, shop etc.

Then, leave to get back to SFO aroun4:30ish

I assume this is doable (?)

My real question is, what the heck can I do with my luggage? I should only have 2 pcs of carry on, but I really don't want to lug it throughout the day.

Suggestions anyone?

Also, any outstanding vegetarian restaurants come to mind in the area?

TY

service 1010

DebitNM

Try to drop the car IN San Francisco; many rental companies have offices there. That will save you time and $ having to take BART back into city.

easytraveler

There is a luggage storage center inside San Francisco Airport.

http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/orphan/faq/#10

Would suggest that before you drop off your car, that you drive into SFO, park in the short term parking lot, take your luggage to the storage area, and then return your car. At this point, it's probably better for you to drop off your car at the airport, then take BART into SF.

Would also suggest that if you are going to be in Napa you take Highway 37 towards Highway 101, go down Highway 101 through San Francisco on 19th Avenue, then get on I-280 which will get you on your way to the airport. AVOID I-80 through Vallejo and along the east bay. There is a traffic jam on I-80 near the Bay Bridge seemingly at all hours during the day.

Or better yet, unless something is keeping you in Napa the previous night that you spend the night in a hotel near the airport. Find a hotel with free airport shuttle service. Then you can store your luggage at the airport (luggage center open until 11pm), return the car at the airport, and take the hotel shuttle to the hotel, all the night before. Next morning take the hotel shuttle back to the airport to get on BART to SF.

service1010

DebitNM Great idea! I wouldn't have thought of that. This will definitely save me time.

service1010

Lots of good information easy traveler. I appreciate it.

Definitely want to avoid traffic!

easytraveler

There is no BART station in Chinatown.

Here's a map of the BART stations.

http://www.bart.gov/stations/

You want to get off at the Montgomery Street BART stop.

Walk two blocks up Montgomery to Bush Street, turn left, walk two blocks on Bush Street to Grant Avenue. You'll see the Chinatown Gate at Bush & Grant.


While you're at the airport, get a SFMTA (SF public transportation system) one day Muni Visitor's Passport for $14. Also get a map of the transit system for about $2. This is a very useful map. You'll need it to get around San Francisco by public transportation.

http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm

If you plan to ride the cable cars, the Visitor's Passport is very worthwhile, as a single cable car ride costs $6.

It looks like there are several locations at the airport where you can get both the Passport and the map.

Have a great trip and welcome to San Francisco!

service1010

Great links! Thanks again easytraveller

Michael

Park in the Sutter-Stockton garage. To get there, coming from the Golden Gate Bridge, take Bush St. to the garage itself (it's on the right hand side of Bush). Bush is one way going east, which makes the drive easy. You'll see a church opposite the garage entrance. Print out a Google map to get there.

From the garage, walk through the tunnel and you are in Chinatown. If you are fit and willing, walk up to Coit Tower for a view of the Bay and for its murals.

Pick up your car and drive to the airport by going along the Embarcadero and then 280 to 101 to the airport. Again, make sure that you have a printout of a map to orient yourself.

StuDudley

>> walk two blocks on Bush Street to Grant Avenue. You'll see the Chinatown Gate at Bush & Grant.

service1010

Thank you Stu!

easytraveler

Stu, the Asians have moved away from Chinatown and can be found mostly in the Richmond and Sunset Districts, as well as recently in the Visitacion Valley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Asian_sf1.gif

But you're right that Stockton Street is less touristy. It has the usual grocery stores, butcher's, etc. to serve the needs of the local community, whereas Grant has more of the tourist-oriented stores.

service: here's the SFGate guide to the different neighborhoods of San Francisco.

http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/chinatown/

If you do go to Chinatown, don't miss Waverley Place which is one of the alleys, this one is between Sacramento and Washington streets. Some of the buildings are "tong" HQs, the "tong" used to be translated as "benevolent society" but some came later to be associated with more dastardly aspects. The Golden Dragon Massacre back in the 1970s occurred "around the corner" from the tong HQs. The Golden Dragon has now reopened as the Imperial Palace Restaurant on Washington Street.

StuDudley

>>Stu, the Asians have moved away from Chinatown and can be found mostly in the Richmond and Sunset Districts

sf7307

And there's still plenty of Asian people in Chinatown, even if hordes moved to the Richmond & Sunset!

service1010

I will check out the alley - thanks easytraveller