keb0503

I know I can look this up on a map but do they take traffic into consideration?

I land about 12:30 and have to pick up the car (am set on it please don't discourage me ) Then I plan to head to the deYoung museum before meeting a friend for dinner. What time should I expect to arrive in the city?
Thanks!

razzledazzle

AM or PM ?
Weekday or Weekend ?
R5

keb0503

opps! I guess I forgot to add those details...
Monday afternoon, Thanksgiving week if that makes a difference.

bbqboy

1-1 1/2 hours if you go N. on 880 to the Bay Bridge.
You could also hit the San Mateo Bridge and come up 101, if you prefer.

LoveItaly

Hello keb0503, I was just going to post about an hour to one and a half hours and then saw that bbgboy already had. You will not be in the commute traffic so that is good.

Why would we discourage you? I think going to the new deYoung museum will be wonderful. If you have any questions (parking etc) go onto the SF Chronical website (www.sfgate.com) for complete information. Have a wonderful time. Hope you will post a trip report here on Fodors.

keb0503

I meant about the car, I've read a few posts where they discouraged a car in S.F.
I didn't realize it would take so long. I swear we make it in just a bit more time from my aunt's in Stockton! Oh well...airfare was so much cheaper into OAK than Sacramento.

LoveItaly

Hi keb, if you flew into Sacramento it would take at least an hour and a half. Oakland will no doubt be quicker for you. And again you will not be going over either bridge during the commute hour so you will be fine.

People often recommend that a car in SF is not a good idea because of the cost of parking fees. You didn't say if you will be staying in SF overnight at a hotel (or longer).

Flying into Oakland and going to the deYoung Musuem...having a car will be good IMO. Have no idea where you will be meeting your friend for dinner. If you don't know where to park around what ever restaurant you will be meeting him/her at no doubt they can adivse you. All will be fine. Enjoy your time in SF and let us know what you think of the new deYoung Museum. Best wishes to you.

Marilyn

keb, you asked what time you would arrive in SF. If your plane lands at 12:30, I think you can plan to be at the De Young by about 2:30. You have to get off the plane, through the airport, and pick up the rental car, which might easily take a half hour. The actual drive could be 60-90 minutes, and then there's parking. So best to allow 2 hours from landing, and if you make it more quickly, all the better.

Do let me apologize for diddith, who clearly has never driven from Sacramento to SF before. Just to set the record straight, there is no way it would take 3 hours from Sacto to SF. Maybe 2 hours if the traffic was really awful.

keb0503

Thanks all. I've actually done the drive from Sac at least twice and from Stockton twice as that's where the relatives are. I've just never had a time issue. I wanted to make sure I'd have plenty of time to enjoy the museum and possibly the park before dinner. Sounds like I should be fine. Being from Seattle I'm rather used to constant traffic.

And the Bay Bridge is the way to go right? I think it's the only way I've ever entered the city...

Marilyn

Unless you turn on the radio and find out there's some sort of truly horrendous mess on the Bay Bridge approach (known as The Maze), I'd certainly take that route.

Taking the San Mateo bridge, for example, would take you considerably out of the way, and you would drive into SF from the south, meaning you'd have other traffic considerations in the city itself.

acwsf

I live about a 5 minute drive from the DeYoung and it only takes me 40+ minutes to get to the Oakland airport from my house with no traffic. I'd say it should take you more like 40-60 minutes without traffic. Remember, the Octavia/Fell street exit just re-opened which shaves a few minutes off of the drive time.

acwsf

Oh yeah, I usually take 880 to 80 from the airport into the city.

keb0503

Acwsf: is Octavia/Fell the exist I would take? I have yet to pick up a current map of the city. And I've never accessed the park from the freeway.
I guess I should map quest it so I know where I'm going
Thanks!

keb0503

Well I'm an idiot! I just looked at the de Young website, which has directions, and they're not even open Monday!
Guess I'll go to SFMOMA if they are open. Off to look it up...

LoveItaly

keb0503, what a shame!! I sure hope you can get back to SF soon to see the deYoung Musueum next time. I don't think I would have been clever enough to check which days they were open, just assumed they were 7 days a week.

There is also the Asian Museum if that interests you. Or the Legion of Honor. Best wishes.

keb0503

Thanks Loveitaly, actually I'm there till Wed. so I'll just switch around my sightseeing/eating plans and go to the deYoung tues or wed on my way to Stockton. Might work well with a stop at Tartine on my way out

LoveItaly

Oh keb, that is great. Please give a report on your impression of the deYoung Museum. A friend suggested we wait a bit to visit it on the weekend because of the thought for awhile it will be so crowded on the weekends.

During the week would be better I believe. Have fun!

LoveItaly

Hi keb, have to get off this computer, LOL but I wanted to mention to you that the SF Chronical said the cafe at the deYoung Museum had a wonderful menu. Organic food, lots of choices and think they said the most expensive item was about $12.00. So you might want to check this out if you are there at lunch time. It sounded real good. Have fun!!

Toby1

Regarding the Oakland Airport; I have flown there many times. With Alaska Airlines, the luggage takes forever to come out - so think about carry on if you can. Secondly, a bus takes you to the car rental facility that is a few miles away, and that adds time.
Have fun at the new De Younge, I recall the old one fondly.