Jeangail

I am scheduled to fly into Oakland this summer for a week long vacation. At the time I made my reservation Jetblue did not fly into SF but they will be soon. I will be going directly to SF from the airport and then driving to Sonoma for a few days, Carmel for a few and ending up in Santa Cruz to visit friends. Wondering if I should switch my reservation to SF one or both ways. I've flown into SF before but never Oakland. How do the airports compare and is one more convenient to SF and from Santa Cruz? The flight schedule is similar but I may have a change fee so wondering if it's worth it or not.

ribeyefan

They are not different enough to worry about changing. I love OAK airport because it is so easy to get into and out of. The rental car place is a bit out of the way but SFO is no better.

OAK to downtown SF is probably a bit longer than SFO if you hit traffic across the bridge.

Santa Cruz to OAK is probably a bit longer than to SFO (via 280) but it is maybe 10-15 minutes tops.

justme22

used both and they are both ok. if you are renting a car, check prices and see if what you get, maybe that will make you decide. I flew into oakland last fall and got a GREAT deal on a midsize car $99 for a week from budget. directly from their site.

Michael

If you are staying in San Francisco for a few days, don't pick up your car until you are ready to leave? Why pay for the car and parking while in the city? Public transportation is the way to go. There is a shuttle from OAK to BART which will take you to SF.

SFO might be a little more convenient than OAK from Santa Cruz, but I would not bother switching.

LucieV

I have to disagree. SFO is a lot closer to the city than OAK is, no matter what the traffic. I live here, and have used both airports countless times. That said, from Oakland to Santa Cruz is approximately equal time-wise, so if that's half of your concern, then keep the reservations you've got!

suze

I love using Oakland because it's such a little airport, easy to get around, easy to get in and out of.

ribeyefan

SFO is 5 miles closer than OAK to Union Square.

If you want to call that a lot closer then go ahead...since you live here.

I'll take OAK anyday.

Jeangail

I didn't mean to start a big debate. I was just wondering if one had a huge advantage over the other. I live here in NYC and most people have a strong preference for JFK over LaGuardia since they have more runways and are less prone to delays and cancellations. I don't disagree but my personal experiences at LaGuardia have been very good. I guess I'll keep my Oakland reservations since they're all set. The flight into Oakland is a bit earlier than to SF so I'll make up the extra driving time. Thanks for all the help.

FainaAgain

Don't worry, it's not you, it's us: we all love good debates. About anything

LucieV

Good decision, Jeangail. I just like SFO better, but it's probably because it's the airport that I grew up with & somehow it seems more exciting to me than Oakland -- or something like that. Enjoy your trip!

SAB

I never use OAK because I domestically I primarily fly Continental, however, an advantage of OAK can be that it does not experience the same type of fog delays as SFO.

Shar

I live about 15 minutes from SFO and avoid it whenever possible. There are so many delays there - if it rains, they delay flights (imagine PDX delaying flights because of rain!), if it is windy, they delay flights. I prefer San Jose which takes me twice as long but I can pretty much guarantee geting my flight there. In my opinion if I had to choose SFO or OAK I'd take OAK.

Time of day you are coming from Santa Cruz makes a big difference on which airport is better. 880 is a horrible freeway IMHO which is what you would take to get to OAK from Santa Cruz.

Jeangail

I will be arriving and departing on Saturdays so I am assuming traffic will not be a problem during mid-late morning.

razzledazzle

I wonder if you could re-organize your
order of places-because you could fly in to Santa Rosa (STS) on Alaska/Horizon
via LAX, rent a car for your time in Sonoma county, then drive to SF and eventually down to Santa Cruz and fly out of SFO.

I suppose you could also fly in to
Sacramento. Just a thought.

R5

razzledazzle

One more, what about flying out of San Jose on your return ?

R5

Jeangail

Hmmm...I will look into San Jose. I know it's the preferred airport for my friend who lives in SC. Problem is my plans to be in SC are still unsettled and I could end up my trip back in SF. Also wondering if I will be hit with an upcharge on my car rental if I leave from SC. I haven't yet reserved a car so I can check that out.

Jeangail

Oops, I mean if I leave from San Jose.