O.K. If my family of 4 (two teens) buys muni passes at the airport, gets on the bus to union square with suitcases, will we be calling attention to our touristy selves? or is this a common sight? Not that I care what we actually look like, just want to make this as comfortable an experience as possible. We have an extensive vacation planned with 3 days in SF, a cruise out of LA, the drive back up to SF on the PCH and will probably need our rolling bags. Renting a car for the initial SF portion seems unfeasible and unreasonable cost wise so would like to just buy the muni passes for our SF portion although we will be going back out to the airport to rent a car for the drive down to LA. Also our flight gets in around 7:30 pm. Will I still be able to buy tickets and catch BART to Union square? Im trying to keep this as inexpensive as possible but the $ is adding up! See how complicated this is? But I know it will be worth it once it is all worked out!!! Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated!!!!

I don't know about public transportation from the airport, but why don't you rent your car from somewhere in the city? When we visited San Fran a few years ago, we took a cab from the airport to our hotel downtown (may have cost $25). After staying in town for a few days, we rented a car to continue our vacation into the Napa Valley and then down to Carmel and Monterey. I don't remember there being a huge one-way drop off fee, even though we returned the car to the airport. I don't recall who we rented from (but we generally use Hertz), but there was a location near Union Square (on Post Street, perhaps?). If you rent the car in the city, you can drive down Lombard Street, through Golden Gate Park, and across the bridge. Just a thought.

1. MUNI doesn't connect the city with the airport. The bus system called "SAMTRANS" and may be because of BART connection they don't run in the city any longer. I don't know, check the website.

2. Going to Union Square you'll be much better off on BART (I mean luggage) even if SamTrans can bring you in the city - not every bus allows luggage.

3. Not sure how late BART works, probably till midnight - check the schedule. You will be safe at Powell and Embarcadero that late, don't get off at Civic or Montgomery.

4. You buy tickets inside BART station, they have vending machines.

Taxi fare now is likely to be about $35. You can take the express bus, SamTrans, for about $2.50 pp. (www.samtrans.com). BART is $5.00 pp. Don't worry about looking foolish with luggage. SF is full of tourists and odd looking people. No one will give you a second look.

Oops, ignore my SamTrans info... Faina is right. But still, don't worry about looking silly. Have a good trip. Sounds like a fun vacation.

I just planned a somewhat similar itinerary for my sister: fly into SFO, shuttle or taxi to Union Square, no car while in SF. Then, 3 days later, pick up car at Union Square and head down to Monterey/Big Sur for a week, drive back to SFO and drop off car at airport.

There are lots of car rental offices around Union Square. There was no rate difference between dropping off the car at Union Square or at the airport.

Super Shuttle from the airport to Union Square costs $15/person one-way and requires some waiting. I also recall that a taxi cost about $25 for 2 people. With 4 people and small suitcases, I'd go for a taxi.

BART from SFO will certainly be running at 8 or 9 p.m. and it is not unusual to see tourists with luggage coming out of BART's Powell St or Montgomery St. stations. As for calling attention to yourselves as tourists, a large percentage of the people downtown after the work day is over are tourists, so you will be 4 amoungst many.

The only 2 people who may think your topic is right would be your 2 teens, but they will grow over it, don't worry now.

Super Shuttle? Yes, one of many shuttle companies. Print out web coupons, read carefully which ones are TO the airport, which are FROM, and maybe you'll be lucky to get on one of those. The shuttles are always there if you are not picky about the name: M&M, Quake city, Super, Bay City, etc...

lightfoot, we have men with beards and full makeup dressed in plaid skirts walking down our streets every day. Do you really think anyone is going to stare at you?

No worries about looking odd in SF. That is for sure. The tourists are generally the ones staring at the locals, not the other way around

Marilyn, LOL, great response!

lightfoot, you're on vacation so relax, don't worry what anyone *might* think and have a great time.

Hi lightfoot, Marilyn's post is sooo true, LOL. You would really have to do something strange to look like an idiot in SF, LOL. BTW, I am sure your teens will really love SF, all teens seem to.

Now about BART, I am not sure when you are arriving but just wanted to let you know that there is a possibility that BART employees could go on strike June 30th. Hopefully they won't. I just saw on the noon news today that BART said if there is a strike they will have a fleet of busses to substitute for the BART trains for MOST routes. No mention of whether or not there would be busses for SFO. Just wanted to make you aware if your travel plans are around June 30th.
Welcome to San Francisco and California. Have a wonderful visit.

Assuming they're not on strike, BART goes from SFO to Powell (the stop for Union Square) every 20 minutes at that time. See www.bart.gov for the exact schedule.

As for looking like a tourist, in addition to everything that's already been said...locals also use BART to get to and from the airport with luggage.

Funny you should ask this question. We just returned from a 4 night stay in SF with our two kids. I was surprised at how many people we saw walking around with their luggage looking for their hotel! You will not stick out.

You won't look strange but it sounds like a bit of a pain. Since you arealso going on a cruise you probably have a few suitcases with you. Lugging them on and off a bus after a long flight does not sound like fun. I'd take a cab for sure. They can drop you off right at your hotel. No need to be rolling your luggage over curbs and dodging cable car tracks.

lightfoot, following viamar's thoughts, when you arrive in SF on BART you will have to get the luggage up the escalator to the street level, so you might want to keep that in mind.
Whatever you decide, have a beautiful trip.

Thank you all so much for making me feel better! We are determined to pack very light. We reserved rooms at the Adante (we are on the cheap!) My brother and husband are running in the Bay to Breakers. Ive rented a car in union square for the morning we take off for LA. Now my only dilema is making it to San Pedro by 5:30!!! We can pick the car up as early as 6am. Ive been told in another post I am crazy for driving this in a day! Actually the other dilema is finding rooms for 3 nights from LA back up to SF on the PCH! Oh well, I think the SF piece is worked out! Im excited.

I presume this is a year from now, since the Bay to Breakers is in May?

oops! I meant the SF Marathon. Shows what I know. No we arrive in SF 7/29. I was looking on the SamTrans website and they had something on there about that...just assumed that is what it was called.

Oh my, lightfoot, the Bay to Breakers is one of those very SF events. It has been described as the best moving party on the planet. People run in costumes, people run in group costumes, people run with martini glasses in hand, people run naked -- you get the picture. I think the SF Marathon is an entirely more serious affair. Hope you have a great time here in our fair and unique city!