I'm thinking this is a no brainer but, I thought I would ask anyway.
Hubby and I are coming to the Bay area in September for an Oakland Raiders game. We are going to spend about 4 full days. I'm trying to decide if we should stay in Oakland near the coliseum or fly in to SFO, stay in SF, and just take BART over to Oakland for the game (it's a monday night). I'm thinking there is much more to see in SF than Oakland.
Any advise is appreciated. We have never been to this area before.
Thanks!

SF

The Oakland stadium is not in an area I would spend any "free" time in (read "dangerous"). I worked next to it for 7 years.

Stu Dudley

Agree - the area around the Oakland Coliseum isn't interesting at all. And, the difficulty with BART is that it stops running at midnight, so if you wanted a late night out in San Francisco, it might be difficult to get back.

I don't know what your itinerary is like, but you could split the difference. Spend the first nights in San Francisco, and then move to Oakland on Monday and overnight near the airport. Watch the game, and then fly out the next morning from either SFO or OAK. OAK is only a 5-10 minute bus ride from the Coliseum Bart Station.

Stu nailed that one perfectly.

I once walked from the bart station at the Oak stadium at twilight over to the indoor arena to watch a Warriors game. I will never do that it again, and that was 20 years ago, when crime was lower (I think). Anyway, I would stay in San Francisco and maybe that last night option that lifelist gave.

Actually, I think we are going to stay until Wednesday. Is there any problem with getting to and from the game on BART....and on a Monday night?

And thanks for verifying exactly what I was thinking. I couldn't find any info on anything we should be seeing in Oakland other than the game.

No problem at all getting to and from the game on BART - you will have lots of company!

Hi scdvr, here is the website for BART.

And I agree with all the other Fodorites, do stay in SF.

http://www.bart.gov/index.asp

Thanks everyone! It's a wonderful thing to have this great source of information!

If there is ANY doubt left (sounds like you are convinced) -- One of our field offices was just across the freeway from the Coliseum and I had to stay in the area one night a week for about 18 months. I always tried to get rooms at the San Leandro Marina instead of nearby along Hegenberger Rd. But over that time I did have to stay nearby maybe 10-12 times. Out of those few visits my hotel room was robbed once (while I was sleeping in it!! ), my rental cars broken into twice and I observed a mugging. The Hilton (where visiting teams usually stay does have good security but even there you don't want to venture out in the grounds or to your car at night.

NOT a nice place!!!!

We stayed over night at the Hilton by the Oakland Airport and had no trouble at all. The hotel was clean and very convenient. We had an early morning flight out. We also left our car in their lot for a week, and no one had touched it!
Sometimes the fares are cheaper coming into and out of Oakland than SFO.

"We stayed over night at the Hilton by the Oakland Airport and had no trouble at all."

Yes, I stayed there once and had no trouble either. Miracles can happen any time. It is NOT a nice area. honest

No way would I stay in Oakland and even if it was safe (which it does not look to me) San Fran is right there! Enjoy it.

I took the plunge and have taken the BART several times from Oakland to San Fran flying in from Southern California. Very easy just like everyone assured me. (I am not great with public transporation - just thinking of going to London and the transportation gives me a panic attack LOL).

The BART is literally right at the stadium - but dare I ask WHY you are going to a Raider game? Says the Dallas fan

Wow!! Now you guys are making me nervous about going to the game. Too late though, already bought tickets!

And MomDDTravel....Dallas! Pleeese!

I think it is fine (regarding game) The stadium is RIGHT off the BART. I am sure it will be standing room only going to and from.

No worries about going to the game - it isn't dangerous. We don't go to Raiders games (we are Niner fans), but we do go to A's games fairly regularly and take BART. My mom and her friends go by themselves sometimes. There are always plenty of people around, so no worries. And from the BART station, you walk across an elevated pedestrian bridge directly to where the stadiums are. The area around the stadium is cruddy, but going directly from BART to the stadium is fine.

It's dangerous if you are NOT a Raider fan! CCC

Emeryville and Berkeley are valid choices;
You don't want to stay by the coliseum.

Hi scdvr, I know people that have used BART to go to the Raiders and also the A's games via BART for years. Not to worry. But I would stay in SF versus Oakland during your trip.

Walking from BART to the game is not a problem AT ALL. The only thing you have to worry about are the denizens of the Black Hole. (I would suggest you not wear the opposing teams gear though )