Getting from SF to Sonoma?
 

Is there any way to get from SF to Sonoman without renting a car? We don't want to waste hundreds of dollars to rent a car,drive to the spa, park it all week, then drive it back to SF for the remainder of our stay. Suggestions?

Check out "Golden Gate Transit" web site. There is bus #90 from SF bus terminal (Mission@1st, but the stop is across the street from the terminal now). This bus, I believe, runs only early on weekdays. There should be link to other counties transportation if this bus is inconvenient. You can take a Golden Gate bus from SF to... not sure to Santa Rosa or Petaluma and change to another bus to Sonoma. If you can't find the link - call Golden Gate Transit, they will help you. <BR><BR>Greyhound may have a direct bus, not sure.

I'd call the spa and ask for suggestions.

That's a tough one. Sonoma is about an hour away, and i've never heard of there being a quick way of commuting via public transport. The above poster, however, is right that there is a bus that goes up there. One of the women in my office used to commute every day from Santa Rosa to work and back again. I believe she said it was a good 2.5 hour ride. <BR><BR>Are you fixed for transportation up in Sonoma? It's pretty hard to get around the Sonoma/Napa for winetasting or dining without a vehicle. Unless you're planning on staying at the resort the entire time, or have booked a tour, you're pretty much stuck in one place without a car.

Hundreds of dollars? We rented through Budget and got a car for 29/day. Plus, visiting all the wineries, you'll need it! You don't want to spend every waking hour at the spa! Sonoma is a beautiful and easy place to drive. They have directional signs at all intersections to the wineries. You may want to stop at Lake Sonoma or the Russian River for a picnic. You should definitely explore Healdsburg and dine out. Enjoy!

ttt

I guess it depends on whether you are trying to get to the town of Sonoma or the county.From the Airport you can catch Airport Express. It has several stops...Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa. If you are looking for another option there is an Amtrak bus as well.

I need to top this thread for advice. I am going to Sonoma for a wedding next month. I will stay In San Francisco a couple of days, and then was planning to take the Evans Shuttle ($30) from SFO out to the Napa terminal, then catch a cab to the Inn at Sonoma (630 Broadway). However, the hotel says that cab fare might run as high as $50!

I went to the Golden Gate Transit site and it is so confusing. I can't figure out how to get to my final Sonoma destination, closest to the hotel. Can anyone help me figure it out?

Driving isn't an option. I'm very bad with directions and would be driving alone.

amw, you might check into renting a car to get from SF to Sonoma, then dropping it there. One day's rental might be less expensive than the cost of the airporter for several people, and certainly less hassle than public transportation.

Hi Melissa! There are shuttles from SFO to Sonoma. There is no reason to take the Napa shuttle.

Check the Sonoma Airporter
http://www.sonomaairporter.com/
and also check with your hotel about the best way to get there.

Rent a car. If you don't drive around and see wine country, you're really missing out.

I agree with renting a car. You can rent a car for a just a day, and it will make your trip much more enjoyable. Plus, public transportation will make stops, which will make the trip so much longer. For the person concerned about not being good with directions. Sonoma is a very easy drive! It's not confusing, and having a car to have the freedom to come and go as you want is definitely a plus!

FYI: You can rent cars either from the airport...or from downtown SF. It won't cost that much for a day, and I highly recommend it.

Enjoy Sonoma! It's a beautiful part of northern California, (on some back roads, with the vineyards...check out West Dry Creek Road) you will feel like you are in Europe!

Have a great time!!
Andiamo

for you guys answering amw -- she posted her question more than three years ago.

MelissaHI: My first choice would be to rent a car. But you know yourself and if it would be just too nerve wracking, then take the the Sonoma shuttle from SFO. DO NOT go to Napa. Napa and Sonoma are pretty far from each other - not even in the same county and it would be a VERY expensive cab ride.

Duh. I <i>hate</i> when that happens! I was fooled by the June date, didn't notice the <i>year</i>.

Melissa, let me know if you need any more help.

The only reason I noticed was the OP was pre-registration so no highlighted screen names.

I think you'll have a very difficult time if you plan to attend a wedding in Sonoma and to get there from SF by bus.

I assume you are referring to the city of Sonoma (I know that there is a Broadway St. somewhere near the main square of Sonoma). Not to discourage you about this option, but in my SF Office, we have officemates commuting from Sonoma who take the Golden Gate Transit, either by driving and parking at bus pads along Hwy 101 in Marin or in Petaluma, or the ferry at Vallejo in the North Bay. As far as I know, due to cutbacks by the GG transit system, the direct bus routes via the Golden Gate Transit are available only during commute hours (i.e. during rush-hour morning and evenings). Hence, Sunday and Saturday commutes may be even more difficult. Besides, even if you take the GG transit, you'll have to get from the airport to the city (SF) in order to catch the bus.

The Sonoma Airporter would probably be your best option from the airport as it will stop at hotels in the city of Sonoma and as far north as Glen Ellen.

Janis,
Thanks for pointing out the 2002 date! I never noticed! Hope MelissaHI was able to get some good advice from the recent posts though. It's nice to see fodorites helping out each other so much! (Even with 3 year old posts!!!) :) Thanks Janis!

Omigod! www.sonomaairporter.com is not one of the transportation options listed in the SFO website. Thank you so much, Marilyn!!!!

Seriously, driving is not an option. I have tried to drive in San Francisco before and I would not be able to find my way to the freeway.

P.S. the hotel was pretty lame, they didn't even mention the sonoma airporter as an option when I asked!

Glad to be of help, Melissa. When I'm waiting for the Marin Airporter, I see the Sonoma Airporter go by. When you exit arrivals/baggage claim, you cross the first roadway to the outer roadway, and there are big concrete pillars painted blue. I think that's where all those regional airporters stop.

Hopefully you can find out the schedule or whether you have to book it in advance. Also, what is the closest stop to your hotel, and if you can easily get a taxi from there. I know that on the Marin Airporter, they ask en route if anyone will need a taxi at the various stops, then they phone ahead so the taxis are waiting there.

They actually offer door-to-door service! And reservations are required. I will definitely repost here when I return so you guys all know the scoops!

Thank you again!