We will be flying into SJC airport, and would like to know approximately how long it will take us to travel to the San Francisco area. Also, do we get to travel over the Golden Gate Bridge for this jounrney? We need to go to Greary St in San Francisco. Thanks.

It all depends.

What time of day are you planning to get from SJC to SF?

Are you driving?

Geary is a very long street going east-west, which end of Geary did you want to arrive at? The downtown end or the ocean end?

No, you do not go over the Golden Gate Bridge which is north of SF. San Jose is south of SF.

If you had a car and were going in non-peak traffic, it'll take about an hour.

From the time you start the rental car until you arrive, it could be 53-67 minutes on Hwy 101. 101 is right next to the SJ airport, but I prefer 280 North because there are no trucks, billboards, etc.

Second vote for 280. 101 in an industrial wasteland. Not a good impression for your first view of California. 280 is very scenic with a nice rest stop (with decently clean bathrooms) and a view and I find less traffic on 280 as well.

Another vote for 280 over 101 - definitely a nicer road.

It would be helpful for you to go to the mapquest.com web site and have it map the route for you.

You didnt ask this but I would recommend a visit to the Winchester mystery house when you are in San Jose. Paul

You didn't ask, but I'd recommend that you definitely skip the Winchester Mystery House. It's sort of a local joke. Agree with those steering you to 280 instead of 101.

Winchester Myster House is certainly worth a visit if you have time. It's actually a very beautiful Victorian mansion with a fascinating story behind it. It's quite a popular tourist spot in the city.

I too agree that the 280 is far better to 101. I would say that an hour may be optimistic during the daytime commute hours, when 1.5 hours would not be out of the question. If you are arriving in the afternoon, you might want to wait for the evening traffic to diminish.

I think that the Winchester house would probably be a worthwhile stop if tickets were less expensive and if the visitors weren't run through the place like herds of cattle. As it is, the tour costs $20, which IMO is too much, and you don't get a whole lot of information or time to really see the mansion. The story of Mrs. Winchester and her house is really quite interesting. Unfortunately, those who manage the house run it as some sort of tourist trap cash cow.

$20! Holy cow. We went once when there was a 1 cent special and that was about worth it.

We're birds of a feather, Catbert, at least as far as the WMH goes!

I've lived here for over 12 years and the real mystery is why anyone would pay that much money to see it.

Quote....>>We will be flying into SJC airport, and would like to know approximately how long it will take us to travel to the San Francisco area.<<

As others have said, the time will be an hour or under, if you are driving. Otherwise, I don't know how you would get there, since I don't know if there are buses, etc. doing that.

>>Also, do we get to travel over the Golden Gate Bridge for this jounrney? We need to go to Greary St in San Francisco.<<

As others have said, no...the GG Bridge is how you get OUT of SF to travel north, not how you get INTO it from the south.

If you are renting a car from SJC and driving to a hotel on Geary Street in San Francisco, we might be able to make it easier for you if you would supply the details.

I also agree that the best way to get into San Francisco is on Hwy 280 (the most beautiful freeway in the country <grin>)rather than 101. Your rental car company can supply you with maps on how to get onto 280 and also how to get to Geary Street and ?your hotel?.

I know we all love the Bay Area, but can we be a little bit honest here. During peak commute hours (which last about 2-3 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon), it can easily take a couple hours or more to get from San Jose to San Francisco, creeping along at a snail's pace! I agree that 280 is much more scenic and usually less crowded too. It's a great drive when the traffic is light.

Sure, let's be honest.

101 slows to a crawl before the bend near Excite@Home and picks up again after Hwy 92/3rd St exit. It becomes the largest used car lot north of Los Angeles. This is the third reason I recommend 280.

On 280, you'll travel in the company of finer autos, frequently driven by owners with better driving manners.

Beware the white Camaros from the CHP. You really won't see them until they have already seen you.

280 and 101 are both 4 and 5 lane highways, with 280 allowing a person to speed along to SF from SJ at a better clip.

True, they don't exit into SF at the same places, but this can be advantageous. I was not assuming that justshootme was being inserted into Bay Area traffic during "rush hours".

justshootme - in case you are planning to use public transportation, it is pretty easy.

From SJ airport, take the #10 city bus to the Santa Clara Caltrain station. This bus is free and runs between the airport, Caltrain and lightrail stations. Just follow the signs at the airport to ground transportation. The ride should take about 10 minutes.

The train to SF from the Santa Clara Caltrain station should take about and hour and a half - less if you ride the baby bullet train. The fare is about $6. You will end up near the Giants baseball park in SF.

From there you can take a cab or MUNI to wherever you need to go.