jent103

A friend and I just booked flights in and out of SFO, flying in June 4 and leaving June 11 (from/to Memphis and Nashville). It's basically a first trip for both of us.

My flight arrives at 10:30pm, and hers is similar. Currently we're booked at the Chancellor Union Square. I know this hotel is nearish, but not in, the Tenderloin district, which I believe we want to avoid. Would taking BART to the Powell Street stop (or perhaps Montgomery Street?) be safe to do around 11:30, or should we focus on shuttles or cabs? I'm not worried about the distance, just safety - we're light packers, so a short walk is no big deal. We're women in our early 30s.

On the way back, my friend's flight leaves SFO at 1:00pm. We're planning to head to the Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur area on June 8. Based on comments on my first SF thread, I'm planning to drive up from there that morning before our flight rather than coming back the night before.

bluestar

Yes, it's safe. Get off at Powell Street and use this station exit: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tRkthuUVY...00/photo+4.JPG It's also called the Hallidie Plaza exit.

Go up the escalator and follow Powell Street 4 or so blocks to your hotel. Powell St. is between these 2 bldgs when you get to the top of the escalator. http://www.destination360.com/north-...idie-plaza.jpg It's a cable car turnaround right there.

If you encounter beggars just say "Sorry, no, not today" and keep walking.

jent103

Thanks so much, bluestar - that's extremely helpful!

tomfuller

If you wanted to come back closer to SFO, you could spend the night before flying out at the Point Montara lighthouse HI Hostel. http://norcalhostels.org/montara/rates
Montara is only 25 miles south of San Francisco.

jent103

Very cool, tomfuller - thanks! I'll add it to my list!

Dayenu

Walking Powell street is usually safe, full of tourists. Cable cars run past midnight.

jent103

Thanks, Dayenu! This is one occasion when "full of tourists" is a great thing. Sorry if my question seemed paranoid - I'd read about the "gritty" Tenderloin (thanks, StuDudley) and didn't relish the thought of walking through it with a suitcase and camera bag. I appreciate all the help!

SAB

For another viewpoint: I would not want to be in the Powell Street area at that time as a first time visitor. As an SF resident it would not be the introduction to my CIty I would want for a visitor. Too gritty, too many panhandlers, too many street people.

jent103

Thanks, SAB. Would it be less of an issue if we went to the Montgomery Street stop? The hotel is on Powell, but far enough north to where it looks like just a block further walk down Post or Sutter from Montgomery than from Powell. That's just going by Google Maps, though.

sf7307

Maybe less gritty, but also not as populated that late at night.

SAB

I usually take a shuttle or a cab or a car service when I first arrive in a city on holiday because I like the convenience and to start my vacation off without the stress of trying to figure out how to get to my hotel. If you are set on taking BART, Powell and Montgomery (if you take the Post Street exit) are both 4 blocks from your hotel. Montgomery and Post will be quieter, whether that translate into feeling safer to you, I can't say. My point about Powell is not that it is necessarily unsafe, only that it can feel that way to a visitor and I don't think it offers a great intro to SF.

jent103

Thanks, y'all - good points! We're not necessarily set on BART. It is the most inexpensive way and therefore preferred if all else is the same, and we're used to public transport in other major cities. But if there's good reason to look into other options, we're open to that as well. Shuttles are my next step.

StuDudley

I agree with SAB. Plus the last train from SFO to Powell is at 11:54 - arriving at 12:23. Earlier departure is 11:33. What happens if you miss the 11:54 for some reason???? Lost bag, plane delayed, can't figure out the BART ticket machine (I had trouble until I purchased a clipper card).

BART will cost 2 people $16.50.

I would take a cab and start your visit on a good note. We often take BART late at night after dinner in The City - and there can be some savory characters at that time. I also find BART to be a bit depressing - no good views. A taxi will be more scenic.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

>> there can be some savory characters

easytraveler

Taxi from SFO to Union Square is over $50 plus tip.


Shared Shuttle from SFO to Union Square is about $17/person plus tip. Advisable to make reservations if arrival after 11pm:

http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/tofro...to-sf/dtd.html


If you're going to take BART, then definitely the Powell St stop, more people, and if you're traveling light, shouldn't take you that long to get to Union Square. Just follow the cable car tracks. Montgomery St stop will have you walking through some streets that'll be pretty isolated that late at night.

Just my two coppers worth.

jent103

Savory characters would be a whole different story altogether, Stu.

Thanks for the advice, y'all. If we missed the last BART train we'd take a cab, but it would be nice to save a bit there and put it towards a better dinner or something instead! easytraveler, I'd seen that link as well and had eyed that shuttle. That's probably what we'll end up doing. Thanks!

Travel_Dan

I'm definitely in agreement with SAB on this one. Using a car service means that's one less thing I have to worry about when traveling.

I'd recommend doing a search and shopping around to find a car service specific to your needs and budget.

Here's a couple I found to get you started:

http://www.luxorexecutivecar.com/

http://www.prolivery.com/car-service-san-francisco.html

http://www.sfcarservice.net/

Hope that helps!

Dan

jent103

Hi all - the site is not letting me post new questions from my phone today (haven't been on this week so I'm not sure if others are having the same issue). It appears that I can post responses to old threads, though, so a question related to this one:

We're staying in Carmel and catching a flight from SFO tomorrow midday. Google Maps says it's a 1:48 drive via the 101 - does that sound reasonable, given traffic or any other issues?

Thanks in advance!

StuDudley

Plan on 2 hrs, as long as you leave Carmel after 9:30AM but before 1:30PM.

Stu Dudley

jent103

Thanks, Stu! We need to be at SFO at 11, so it sounds like 8:30 (2.5 hours) might be a safer bet?