KarK

Good Evening,
My question is a very specific one only because I am confused about what the best course is for me...I've read Fodors, researched sites and maps on line, but can't make a decision and hope that some local experts can point me in the right direction.
I am visiting San Fran for two nights in June specifically for the purpose of seeing my son off on a cross country bike ride. He will depart over the Golden Gate Bridge @ 6:30 a.m. on Sunday June 12. Coincidentally, that is the date and almost the same time as the Escape from Alcatraz Tri-athalon. So my concern stems over whether roads will be closed and how to best get to the Golden Gate Bridge that morning for the early start. Would those of you familiar with the area advise me to stay on Lombard Street and possibly try to walk it? I am not familiar with the public transportation system. Is a bus my best bet? I'll stay anywhere; I will have a car, but do not want to take a chance on not getting to where I need to be at the assigned time. And would like to avoid tremendous traffic if possible. Can one park a car near the Golden Gate Bridge easily? Any information would be greatly appreciated so I may make my reservations and be done with this.
Specific suggestions for hotels would also be welcome. I'm from Chicago .... and haven't been to San Fran in a long time.
Thanks very much.

janisj

The Presidio Travelodge would be perfect for you. Free parking and within 2 miles of the Golden Gate Bridge Visitors center.

http://www.travelodgepresidio.com

I checked the Inn at the Presidio but it is booked up for your dates.

OOPS . . . I just checked the travelodge and it is full too

My guess is that anywhere in that part of town is already booked up.

dragon88

The Lodge at Cavallo Point is at the foot of the GGBridge and is accessible by foot, bike or car. a bit expensive but available for now. Great place to eat as well as a retreat...........good luck and happy travels.

janisj

The Lodge at Cavallo Point is at the wrong end of the Bridge if one wants to see the start . . .

StuDudley

What's wrong with staying at the Lodge at Cavallo Point and walking or biking across the GG bridge to the start of the journey - except for the uphill walk to get to the Bridge. That early in the morning, you might be able to drive from the Lodge to the northern Bridge parking lot & avoid the uphill walk (is the parking lot accessible to cars driving south? - I've never done that). There may even be some parking on the western side of the Bridge on the northern end. The parking lot on the SF side near the visitors center is really small & traffic around the southern Bridge area might be a mess because of the Tri-athalon.

Actually, if you can drive to the northern side of the Bridge & park - anywhere on the Marin side of the Bridge would be a good place to stay.

Stu Dudley

janisj

I guess that would work - it will be nearly an hour's walk from say the vista point to the Visitors center but is pretty straight forward.

J62

Crowds at big events like the Escape from Alcatraz tri can be a madhouse between participants with gear and spectators. I would definitely not drive my own car to the bridge and expect to find parking on the SF side, especially if you do not know your way around all the local roads. Marin side may be less risky, but do you really want to mess around finding parking?

What I would do is find a hotel anywhere in town that fits my price range and take a cab to the bridge. If there was a bus route that went directly to the bridge from near my hotel that could be an option too, but cab would be less angst for me.

A hotel in Marin also sounds like an ok option.

Getting back? Well, that could be just as much of a hassle, if not more. I'd just stroll back down towards the Marina/embarcadero area, enjoy the spectacle of the tri for a bit, and enjoy the morning in SF without having to be anywhere in particular.

fdecarlo

> What's wrong with staying at the Lodge at Cavallo Point and walking or biking across the GG bridge to the start of the journey

My first idea was similar but on the SF side, Inn At The Presidio, but with those dates good luck on availability. You still might want to check their cancellation list.

sf7307

I'd stay anywhere in the Lombard Street area (is anything available) and take an Uber or cab, knowing that you can walk if you can't get an Uber or cab.

KarK

Thanks for all these replies.....if anyone else has anything new to offer or strong agreement(disagreement), please keep the ideas coming. The hotels near Presido are indeed full. Looking at a few on Lombard - Coventry, Cow Hollow, Chelsea or Marina Motel. None seem too luxurious, but they are in the right area. Any thoughts on which might be the best choice? Thanks so much!

janisj

>>Coventry, Cow Hollow, Chelsea or Marina Motel. None seem too luxurious, but they are in the right area. Any thoughts on which might be the best choice?any of them are available jump on it ASAP.

sf7307

Agreed - those are all very decent motels.

StuDudley

This past Christmas period - getting across the Golden Gate Bridge was a "no can do" for much of the day on the day we were "driving around". Traffic lines were everywhere in the Presidio - and as you could imagine, the "main" roads heading north across the Bridge were packed. We waited in line about 15 mins on a very minor road in the Presidio and did not advance a single car length. We (and most others in front of us) gave up and headed home/elsewhere (south). Buses & cabs will be in the same line if you stay in the City - so bus/cab from a City hotel/motel will not be a solution. There probably will not be long lines at 6am - so best bet would be to stay at a Lombard St hotel where you can walk to the Bridge & back, or over in Marin where you can drive to a "north" of the Bridge parking lot and walk over the Bridge to the departure point. If you choose the latter, scope out the access to the parking lot a day ahead.

Through lack of planning on my part, I've also been "trapped" in traffic lines for Bay to Breakers and other "events" in the City.

Stu Dudley

Surfergirl

Cow Hollow has availability -- not in the suites (which are more than "luxurious"), but the regular part of the motor inn. We've been staying their as our go to SF place since 1985, and it's a great little place in a fabulous area. Chestnut street right behind the inn is one of the most walkable streets in the City, with some outstanding restaurants and wine bars.

Although the donut & coffee place at the corner of Steiner & Chestnut closed down last year, on Chestnut nearly across the street from the inn are 3 breakfast places -- Peets, Noah's, and a newly opened French café that opens at 7 a.m. called Le Marais. For more traditional purely 50's American breakfasts, Mel's is across from the inn on Lombard, and IHOP is a block away on Lombard.

You could take the 30 muni on Chestnut to (very close to, that is) Crissy Field. Which will get you within walking distance of the GGB.