If you are searching for houses on the peninsula, why do you plan on using public transportation to get down here - unless a real estate agent (or comparable) will meet you & drive you everywhere?

To answer your question, Union Square, the Financial district, and the Embarcadero have good BART access by foot, but BART will only get you as far as Millbrae.

Hotels in the South of Market Area (SOMA) have better SP access (by foot), which will take you all the way to San Jose by train with many stops along the way. You can walk to SP from Union Sq, but it's a little far - about 10 blocks.

From the Wharf, you will need other public transportation to connect to either BART or SP.

Stu Dudley

OT (sorry) Lisa, where'd you decide to look?

You're right, Stu. On second thought, we will need a car in any event in order to see properties. I still like to be near public transport for traveling around the city. Maybe I'll look into those Kimpton hotels.

dmlove -- Hubby is hooked on Burlingame, but there is very little or no inventory. I see more options in Menlo Park, but am concerned about the commute. His office is currently in SSF, but may move to Mission Bay area eventually.

I live on the Burlingame/San Mateo border. The thing I like best about our location is the access to The City. We can get to the Noe Valley in 20 mins and Union Sq in 20-25. Our "record" to the Golden Gate Bridge is 30 mins. From Menlo Park, add an additional 15-20 mins. We often go into the city on a whim - and if it takes us only 20 mins to get there, we really don't give it any thought. If it would take us 40-45 mins, we probably would not go as often - especially on work days when the traffic is bad. We have reservations for dining in the City the next two Tuesdays (special dining program - see other thread about it). We wouldn't do this if we lived 45 mins away in Menlo Park.

In the evenings - especially on work days - here is almost always a huge bottle neck around Millbrae ave that doesn't clear up till you get past Burlingame Ave. I've never been able to figure out why traffic is backed up there - but it is. If you lived in Burlingame, you could get off at Millbrae Ave & miss that backup. You would also miss the "Oracle Mile" backup that exists just south of Hwy 92.

Stu Dudley