transportation from OAK to Union Sq?
 

I am arriving at the Oakland Airport On a Friday night about 8pm with my wife and 10 yo. I am considering taking BART from Oakland to the Union Sq. area (staying at the Hilton) to save $ on rent car + $30 per day for parking. Any thoughts about how safe this idea is?

You will need to take a bus from Oakland airport that will bring you to the BART station. It's safe, relatively speaking. I am in my late 20s and did it many times by myself. If taking a taxi, the bridge over to the city on a Friday night can be a nightmare (until recently, more people were commuting out of the city than into the city – not sure how it is now). I say take BART and enjoy the little piece of mass transit California does well!

There is a shuttle to BART, I don't know if it's free you you pay for it. BART will be safe, lots of people coming to the city. Powell station area is safe.

First, you are wise to arrive at OAK rather than SFO. Second, you are wise not to rent a car in San Francisco if you're planning just to see the city. Parking is outrageous. <BR><BR>Yes, you can connect to the BART station by way of a $2:00 "AirBart" bus. This BART terminal is an elevated/covered/open air station and not in a great neigbhorhood (near all the big sports arenas) but it is reasonably safe. Then you'll probably get off BART at the Powell or Montgomery stations. This will put you in the vicinity of Union Sq. at about 9:00 pm on a Friday night so there should be lots of people out. However, you will like need to grab a cab from there to your hotel.<BR><BR>Alternatives to cabs are some shuttle services that run about $12 - $15 per person, I think. These offer the comfort and relative safety of a door to door ride:<BR><BR>Bay Porter Shuttle (415)467-1800 <BR>Bay Shuttle (415)564-3400 <BR>Super Shuttle (415)659-2547 <BR><BR><BR>

Using BART from Oakland International to the City is the least expensive alternative, and you won't need a car while in SF. Do as Leslie suggests except, make sure you catch a SF/Daly City train from Oakland BART. Definitely get off BART at Powell Street. Walk straight up Powell 1-2 blocks, turn left on O'Farrell. The Hilton is at 333 O'Farrell, just a few blocks. This is a very short walk, even with luggage and a 10 year old. A cab driver would probably refuse to take you 5 blocks.

Thanks for the advice!