Me and my girlfriend are flying into San Francisco next week at 5:40 in the evening and would like to go to the 7:15 pm giants game. Will we have enough time to make it from the airport to drop our luggage at our hotel and then make it to the game? We don't have to see the first pitch, but would like to make it there by the 2nd/3rd inning at the latest. We are planning on staying in the Union Square area. Any better hotel suggestions just for that night?
Thanks!

Are you planning to take BART? It's about 30 minutes from SFO to the Union Square area, but I don't know how much more time to SBC Park. I really just opened this thread because I think you and I are planning to attend the same game. Giants v Brewers, right? Friday night? I'll save your seat for ya!

If you get in on time, yes, you'll have time. Get your bags, hop on BART or in a cab (cab will be slower on a Friday evening at that hour, but it will drop you right at your hotel, whereas from BART, you'll have to walk to your hotel (very few of the Union Square hotels are right at a BART station). Drop your bags (if you have time, check in and drop them in your room, otherwise, drop them with the bellhop). Take a cab to SBC Park (it's a nice walk, but for that you won't have time). My guess - if you're on time and have to wait for luggage, you should be at your hotel by 6:45, and if you run in and run out, you will be at the park almost at first pitch. Food is good (albeit expensive) at the park, so no need to eat outside.

Assuming you don't have to wait for checked luggage, I would give about 30 minutes to get off the plane and get through the airport, another 10 or 15 to wait for the BART, you've got a 30 minute BART ride to Union Square. I would say by the time you check into your hotel, it will be around 7. To get to the ball park, you will take the MUNI train (station is in the same place as the BART station, just a different level) which will take 10-15 minutes.

It will be close, but if you don't mind getting there a couple innings in, you can do it - as long as your flight isn't delayed.

If you get there by the third inning, you won't be alone!

Hey derek..
SBC ballpark is one of the best parks ever!
The food and drink is like no other in the country..do try the garlic fries and I love that they have high end wine by the glass..Love that!

Make sure you go to Lefty's across from the St. Francis in Union Square..it's a classic baseball bar from the 1900's..after the game, you will always see the pro baseball guys in there..its my all time fav!

I would take a taxi to get there..
I like staying at the St. Francis but my friend likes to stay around the corner at Beresford Arms.

beresford.com

Amazing. Our family literally had to stop going to Giants games because of the garlic fries. If they were fresh, it would be ok. But just the thought of that inescapable, rancid grease stench that wafts throughout the park during every game is enough to make me queasy.

Checking back re food. I'm not a huge fan of the smell of garlic fries either (at least when it's someone else eating them, and I don't eat them because I'll never sleep). If you're a hot dog/sausage/hot link person, the hot links at the Evergood (I think that the name) stand are great. The Cha Cha Bowl at the Orlando Cepeda stand (behind the bleachers in the outfield) is great, too.

Oops, forgot. Check what the hourly temps will be throughout the game (on accuweather or yahoo weather). Do not wear summer clothes, and bring a jacket unless its going to be in the 70s or 80s througout game time. It can get down to the mid-50s, yes, even in August.

lol fdecarlo..I am a huge garlic fan but it didn't have that rancid grease/garlic smell..if that were the case, I couldn't stomach it either..

I'm a huge fan of individual ballpark characteristics. That's why I've tried to visit as many parks as I could in my life. I love to experience the cultures.

I can truly appreciate the excitement and emotion induced by garlic fries. As a fan, I can.

However, I could not, ever, be persuaded to eat one- not one- let alone an order of them. I couldn't shower quickly enough after the game.

Please don't take it personally. Just a matter of taste. I'm sure if my team were the Giants I'd be willing to stay up all night and deal with it.

Wow! Thank you for all the great/useful information! It looks like we will be taking BART from the airport and I am going to look for a hotel close to the station in Union Square. We just need a place to crash on Wednesday, so we could always change hotels the next day.
Beachbum - we are going to the Wednesday giants/cubs game, but I am counting on your giants to sweep the Brewers this weekend! We both love baseball and are really looking forward to seeing SBC Park. We will be in SF from wed-fri and then wine country sat-sun. I have never been to SF and I am really excited about our trip. I have heard nothing but great things! My gf doesn't know where we are going, it's a surpirse for our 1 year anniversary. All the great people/posts on this site are really making planning this a heck of a lot easier! Thank you to everyone for your input! Another unrelated question on wine country. Has anyone ever taken a hot air balloon ride in wine country? I would like to surprise her with that. This is the place I was thinking:

http://www.up-away.com/flight.htm

derek74--will you be staying in Napa, Sonoma or Healdsburg? This balloon trip takes off from the Santa Rosa airport--their website says to allow 45 minutes travel time from Napa which is a little tight. If you are staying in either Sonoma, Santa Rosa (Hotel La Rose is quite nice) or Healdsburg this is doable.

Even if you just drop off your luggage with the bellhop, make sure you bring along a heavy jacket. Also bring/wear a turtleneck.

Last time we went, we had heavy jackets AND a blanket.

Enjoy the game!

AND the name of the ballpark you are going to is: AT&T Park! have a great time, but I don't think the Giants will win a pennant this year.

Tampa, nobody here calls it AT&T Park, just like nobody calls Monster Park anything other than Candlestick!

You don't think the Giants will win the pennant this year? Why so little faith (just kidding, and mourning).

" I am going to look for a hotel close to the station in Union Square."

Just so you don't get confused - there is no BART station in Union Square. The closest is at Powell and Market St which is a 3+ block uphill walk to Union Sq. I'd just book whatever hotel you want for your entire SF stay and use a taxi after BART.

It is "uphill" to Union Square from the closest BART station, but not in the real sense of San Francisco "uphills". This is a gentle slope and easily walkable, if you have time. But I also suggest making one reservation for all 3 nights -- it'll just make your trip so much more relaxing.

dmlove,

of course it's Candlestick and the Giant's stadium; I just don't want anyone confused looking for SBC park.

as for "nobody here calls it..." what makes you think that when they finish building the condos on Berry Street I won't move in? Then I can watch the Giants win the pennant!

true - the Powell street "hill" isn't bad as hills go - but w/ luggage after a long flight and riding in on BART, I didn't want derek to think they'd be getting off the train and walking a few steps to a hotel.