Need insider info on SFO
May 4th, 2007, 05:29 AM
#1
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Need insider info on SFO
Hi,
We are flying in to SFO from NYC, reaching at 10 am. By the time we rent a car etc. and drive out of the airport it would be 12 pm is my guess. Allowing time for getting lost etc. I am expecting that we will reach SFO downtown by 1 pm? Realistic?
Can we find parking easily (paid is fine) in the Union Square area?
Which is a nice spot for a picnic lunch in the Union Sq neighborhood?
We have only 2 activities planned - a roundtrip trolley ride on the Powell Hyde line (how long will this take?) and a drive across GG bridge (I remember a long line up of cars on our last trip, should we expect this on a Sat afternoon?). Do you think we could do this comfortably without rushing around by 5 pm?
We then have to drive out of SFO to San Jose. How long will this drive take typically?
Any input will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
We are flying in to SFO from NYC, reaching at 10 am. By the time we rent a car etc. and drive out of the airport it would be 12 pm is my guess. Allowing time for getting lost etc. I am expecting that we will reach SFO downtown by 1 pm? Realistic?
Can we find parking easily (paid is fine) in the Union Square area?
Which is a nice spot for a picnic lunch in the Union Sq neighborhood?
We have only 2 activities planned - a roundtrip trolley ride on the Powell Hyde line (how long will this take?) and a drive across GG bridge (I remember a long line up of cars on our last trip, should we expect this on a Sat afternoon?). Do you think we could do this comfortably without rushing around by 5 pm?
We then have to drive out of SFO to San Jose. How long will this drive take typically?
Any input will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
May 4th, 2007, 07:45 AM
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Hi, kdd!
1) arriving at 10am and getting to lunch by 1pm is easily done, particularly if you will not have check-in luggage. Normally allot about 30-45min to pick up your check-in luggage.
You will not get lost. Just ask the car rental agency to plot the way out and tell them where you want to go in SF.
SFO is less than 1/2 hour from downtown SF, Union Square.
2) There is parking right under Union Square. The streets around Union Square are all one way, so make sure you are making right hand turns to be able to get into the parking garage.
3) ??? You can picnic anywhere on Union Square, either on the numerous steps or on one of the benches. There's also a very nice coffee shop at one end of the plaza. You can't miss it.
4) There is no rush hour traffic across the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturdays, but suggest you do it during the date. The fog might come rolling in around 5pm.
Once across the GG Bridge, the first exit is the Vista Point. That's a popular stop.
When you exit the Vista Point, you can only turn right and continue northbound on 101. Take the next exit, marked Alexander Ave, follow the signs for going BACK to San Francisco. You will have to drive under the freeway and end up on the other side of the freeway. As you near the bridge, the road will split. Take the right hand road leading to "Marin Headlands", it will head uphill. At the top of the hill you will see cars parked, try and find a parking space. Follow the foot traffic to the gun mounts for what is possibly the most spectacular view of GG Bridge and San Francisco.
5) From SFO to San Jose would usually take about an hour, depending on where you want to end up.
Welcome to California!
1) arriving at 10am and getting to lunch by 1pm is easily done, particularly if you will not have check-in luggage. Normally allot about 30-45min to pick up your check-in luggage.
You will not get lost. Just ask the car rental agency to plot the way out and tell them where you want to go in SF.
SFO is less than 1/2 hour from downtown SF, Union Square.
2) There is parking right under Union Square. The streets around Union Square are all one way, so make sure you are making right hand turns to be able to get into the parking garage.
3) ??? You can picnic anywhere on Union Square, either on the numerous steps or on one of the benches. There's also a very nice coffee shop at one end of the plaza. You can't miss it.
4) There is no rush hour traffic across the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturdays, but suggest you do it during the date. The fog might come rolling in around 5pm.
Once across the GG Bridge, the first exit is the Vista Point. That's a popular stop.
When you exit the Vista Point, you can only turn right and continue northbound on 101. Take the next exit, marked Alexander Ave, follow the signs for going BACK to San Francisco. You will have to drive under the freeway and end up on the other side of the freeway. As you near the bridge, the road will split. Take the right hand road leading to "Marin Headlands", it will head uphill. At the top of the hill you will see cars parked, try and find a parking space. Follow the foot traffic to the gun mounts for what is possibly the most spectacular view of GG Bridge and San Francisco.
5) From SFO to San Jose would usually take about an hour, depending on where you want to end up.
Welcome to California!
May 4th, 2007, 07:51 AM
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Don't plan your picnic at Union Square. It's just that, a city square surrounded by shops and stores and hotels. If you're heading toward the GG Bridge, plan to have your picnic somewhere along the Marina Green or the Presidio Park. It's right on the Bay and your views will be so much nicer.
You can park (for a fee) right under Union Square or in any number of city lots in the area.
You can park (for a fee) right under Union Square or in any number of city lots in the area.
May 4th, 2007, 08:41 AM
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Are you going to Union Square just for a picnic? Change your plans.
Get food "to go" in any restaurant on the way, and picnic in the Golden Gate park instead - it's on your way from the airport to the Golden Gate bridge. You can visit arboretum for a nice picnic in the park, or Japanese Gardens, or any park's area.
Get food "to go" in any restaurant on the way, and picnic in the Golden Gate park instead - it's on your way from the airport to the Golden Gate bridge. You can visit arboretum for a nice picnic in the park, or Japanese Gardens, or any park's area.
May 4th, 2007, 01:12 PM
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where you picnic will depend on the weather..but if you cross the GG bridge, and go to that view point, you could eat in the car if it was cold and windy and still see the city views.
You can get great food to go at Whole Foods Market which is on California and Franklin (?)..
You can get great food to go at Whole Foods Market which is on California and Franklin (?)..
May 4th, 2007, 02:50 PM
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Easy Traveler has given you excellent information for getting the best views of the Bridge and the City. Don't miss the Marin Headlands. It's also not a bad place to have a picnic.
With respect to the cable car lines, the California Street line seldom has lines and you can do that round trip quickly. You could hop off at Grant Street to take a quick stroll up and down Chinatown. The Powell line is usually much more crowded and you can wait a long time in lines at both ends. The ride is likely to be slightly more exciting and have better views.
With respect to the cable car lines, the California Street line seldom has lines and you can do that round trip quickly. You could hop off at Grant Street to take a quick stroll up and down Chinatown. The Powell line is usually much more crowded and you can wait a long time in lines at both ends. The ride is likely to be slightly more exciting and have better views.
May 4th, 2007, 04:56 PM
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Aw Shucks, Grasshopper! Thanks! 
You, dovima, SAB, Stu - you're all tops. The rest of us are just tag-alongs!
And Faina - she's one of a kind. You just have to watch out for her zinging sense of humor!
BTW, do you ever go to GTGs?
You, dovima, SAB, Stu - you're all tops. The rest of us are just tag-alongs!
And Faina - she's one of a kind. You just have to watch out for her zinging sense of humor!
BTW, do you ever go to GTGs?
May 7th, 2007, 07:22 AM
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Hi,
Is is difficult to find parking in GG Park? (coming from NYC, I am quite paranoid about finding parking )
A question on the Japanese Tea garden...since it is a Saturday, will it be overrun with bus loads of tourists? If so, we will stay away from it...else I am real keen of stopping there.
Can I get directions to GG Bridge from the GG park...where to park the car, how to find the foot path to walk across the bridge.
Thanks
Is is difficult to find parking in GG Park? (coming from NYC, I am quite paranoid about finding parking
)A question on the Japanese Tea garden...since it is a Saturday, will it be overrun with bus loads of tourists? If so, we will stay away from it...else I am real keen of stopping there.
Can I get directions to GG Bridge from the GG park...where to park the car, how to find the foot path to walk across the bridge.
Thanks
May 7th, 2007, 07:50 AM
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NO, it's not difficult to find parking in GG Park. There's plenty of free parking along all the main/side roads as well as selected parking lots in certain areas. However, on a Saturday I'd try to get there early to snag a good spot.
The Japanese Garden does have an entrance fee which probably prohibits a swarm of visitors. On a Saturday it may be difficult to find a table if you want a spot of tea while you're there, otherwise it's a manageable crowd.
Directions to GG Bridge from the Park is really easy. GG Park is a long park running east-west. The main arterial going north-south is Park Presidio (aka Highway 1). Take this road northbound and it will automatically get you to the GG Bridge.
Have a good trip!
The Japanese Garden does have an entrance fee which probably prohibits a swarm of visitors. On a Saturday it may be difficult to find a table if you want a spot of tea while you're there, otherwise it's a manageable crowd.
Directions to GG Bridge from the Park is really easy. GG Park is a long park running east-west. The main arterial going north-south is Park Presidio (aka Highway 1). Take this road northbound and it will automatically get you to the GG Bridge.
Have a good trip!
May 7th, 2007, 08:04 AM
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Addition to easytraveler's directions to GG Bridge from GG Park:
If you're in the park on JFK drive, the road to GG bridge is an overpass to JFK called "Cross Over Dr" on the map. The two roads do not intersect. You will need to take the road just west of the overpass, & head north on it. This smaller road will merge with the much larger Cross Over Rd, which becomes Park Presidio when it leaves the park.
If you're on MLK drive in the park (parallel to JFK), MLK intersects with the Cross Over Rd.
Stu Dudley
If you're in the park on JFK drive, the road to GG bridge is an overpass to JFK called "Cross Over Dr" on the map. The two roads do not intersect. You will need to take the road just west of the overpass, & head north on it. This smaller road will merge with the much larger Cross Over Rd, which becomes Park Presidio when it leaves the park.
If you're on MLK drive in the park (parallel to JFK), MLK intersects with the Cross Over Rd.
Stu Dudley
May 7th, 2007, 12:34 PM
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Great info and tips. Thanks so much!
One more question - to walk the bridge, we park by the foot of the bridge (Fort Point?) and find our way from there? Or is there a different way to get to the bridge to walk across it?
One more question - to walk the bridge, we park by the foot of the bridge (Fort Point?) and find our way from there? Or is there a different way to get to the bridge to walk across it?
May 8th, 2007, 06:42 AM
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Is the F-line street car any less crowded that the Powell-Hyde cable car line? Is it a good alternative to the P-H line? Can't imagine waiting in a line 2 blocks longs with a toddler to ride P-H line.
May 8th, 2007, 08:04 AM
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F-line is not less crowded.
The cable car line running along California street from Van Ness to Market/Embarcadero is the least crowded, and can be your solution not to wait in line.
I don't think it's easy to walk to the bridge from Fort Point - you can get lost on those unpaved trails. The bridge has its own parking lot, maybe several.
The cable car line running along California street from Van Ness to Market/Embarcadero is the least crowded, and can be your solution not to wait in line.
I don't think it's easy to walk to the bridge from Fort Point - you can get lost on those unpaved trails. The bridge has its own parking lot, maybe several.
May 8th, 2007, 08:26 AM
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IMO, the Calif cable car line is not nearly as scenic as the Powell/Hyde St line. Calif is mosty flat & the Powell/Hyde goes up & down several hills and has great views of the bay if you sit on the east side of the car.
I think the Calif line is kinda boring after 5 mins - and not much to do for the first time tourist once you reach the Polk St/Van Ness end.
Stu Dudley
I think the Calif line is kinda boring after 5 mins - and not much to do for the first time tourist once you reach the Polk St/Van Ness end.
Stu Dudley
May 10th, 2007, 07:49 AM
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The F-Line does seem to run more frequently than the cable cars and is used more by locals for short hops up and down Market. It does not (and cannot) go up or down any hills, so the scenic angle is a little different.
Try timing your cable car rides so that you are not riding at midday. In my observation, the longest lines at Powell and Market are between 12 noon and 3 pm. Also stay off the cable cars at morning and evening commute hours - locals do use the lines to get to and from school or work! How about an evening cable car ride, around dusk or even at night? You'd have great views of the fog rolling in for the night from the west, or the city lights after dark.
Try timing your cable car rides so that you are not riding at midday. In my observation, the longest lines at Powell and Market are between 12 noon and 3 pm. Also stay off the cable cars at morning and evening commute hours - locals do use the lines to get to and from school or work! How about an evening cable car ride, around dusk or even at night? You'd have great views of the fog rolling in for the night from the west, or the city lights after dark.
