San+Francisco


 * Travel Tips for San Francisco:**
 * San Francisco Wikitravel Website:** []
 * Chinatown Wikitravel Website**: []
 * Napa Valley Wikitravel Website**: []
 * Golden Gate Bridge Wikitravel Website**: []
 * Golden Gate Bridge Wikitravel Website**: []

__**San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Information:**__


 * //Ranking//**: Number seven in the U.S. and number 22 in the world, with 44.4 million passengers.
 * //Location//**: Fourteen miles south of the city center, with extensive nearby hotel accommodations.
 * //Major Airlines//**: SFO is United's main West Coast hub and Asian gateway, with 49 percent of the airport's total traffic, but most other big lines maintain a substantial presence.
 * //Layout//**: The airfield has two sets of parallel runways at different orientations; parallels are too close together to permit simultaneous use for instrument landings. Passenger facilities consist of six contiguous terminals, but most terminal-to-terminal access requires exiting and reentering security. A people mover outside of security connects all terminals, connects to the BART station, and provides access to some parking lots.
 * //Performance//**: 74 percent of departures and 70 percent of arrivals are on time, the average departure delay is 63 minutes and arrival delay is 68 minutes, and cancellations are at 2.4 percent.
 * //Ground Transportation//**: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains run from the airport station to downtown San Francisco ($8.25; $3.05 for seniors), to the East Bay, and to the nearby Millbrae Caltrain station for commuter trains down the Peninsula. The metered taxi fare from the airport to downtown San Francisco is about $45. Numerous shuttles serve downtown and many other Bay Area communities; most shuttles charge $17 to get downtown.
 * //Alternate Regional Airports//**: Three other airports serve the Bay Area. Oakland International Airport (OAK), about 20 miles east of San Francisco, is the airport of choice for many East Bay communities; it's also a big center for low-cost flights. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), about 47 miles south of San Francisco, is the airport of choice for much of Silicon Valley, with lots of regional service and some long-haul flights. Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS)—yes, it's named for the //Peanuts// guy—is about 65 miles north of San Francisco; it is convenient to Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties and provides limited flights to Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle.


 * Randy Stall - March 2007:**

Using the BART system to get from the airport to downtown and wharf is easy, inexpensive and very convenient! If you're renting a car, drive south along the coast to Half Moon Bay. The town is renowned for its beaches, pumpkins, and waves. The city is a mix of surfers, farmers, Silicon Valley techies, and urban hipsters. Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (Website: [] ) is the place to go for a cold beverage, live music, and above average food. Other information: [].


 * Nancy Conway - July 2007:**

BART is the best way to get into the city, and it's best not to have a car if you're only doing things in the city. If you're planning to spend the night, we found Grosvenor Suites on Nob Hill across from the Mark Hopkins Hotel through hotels.com. For $109 we booked a room with queen bed and kitchenette in a high rise building with a fabulous view of the city and part of the bay. It's __about__ 1 1/2 miles to the wharf, 4 blocks to the theatre district, 4 blocks to China town, and 6 blocks to the Market Street BART station.


 * Cheryl Hydrick - July 2007:**

BART from the airport is convenient but a little confusing, follow the signs through the parking lot etc. The trains run regular and every few minutes. Exit the BART on Powell, turn right and you are at the visitors center, that has many brochures. Go up the stairs and across the street to the PARC 55 hotel, which is superior and a good deal on Hotwire. It is around $90 and choose a 3.5 star rating. From there everything is walking distance. Bike ride at the Wharf for $28 for the day. Follow the bike path over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito (8 miles ) or on to Tiburon (additional 8 mi.). Ferry back from Sausalito or Tiburon but be advised they only take 25 bikes per trip so get in line early for tight connections. Ferry tickets are given out by the (Blazing Saddles) bike company and only charged to you if you use them. The bike ride can be done in a day trip.


 * Mike Summers - July 2008:**

Because San Francisco is so nice, we did two day trips this month. As everyone stated above, take the BART into the city. You can use cash or credit at the kiosk at the station in the airport to buy tickets. If you're doing a day trip, buy a round trip ticket at the airport to avoid waiting in line. Here's the BART website: [] and another website: []. Just for fun, here's another website: []. I agree with Cheryl to exit the BART at Powell Street and to visit the Visitor's Center there. You can buy a one day pass, three day pass, or seven day pass (called MUNI Passports) that is good for unlimited rides on all transit (cable cars, buses, electric trollies, streetcars) within the city (Website: [] ). The cost is $11.00 for one day. Also check the many brochures at the center. Some of them have discount coupons in them. There is a cable car station just above the Visitor Center at the Powell Street and Market Street BART Station. If there is a long line skip the waiting and take the F streetcar or the 9 or 9L bus east on Market Street until you reach California Street. You'll see a cable car station that runs west on California through ChinaTown. The crowd usually isn't as big. You can also skip riding a cable car and take the F Streetcar east on Powell past the California stop toward the Wharf. The F Streetcar follows the Emarcadero along the many piers (Map: [] ) toward Fisherman's Wharf. If you do ride the Powell Street Cable Car, you can ride it all the way to Fisherman's Wharf. You can also get off the Cable Car and visit the Cable Car Museum (Website: [] ) at 12th and Mason. (Cable Car Route Map: [] ) Along the way on the Powell Street Cable Car you also come close to Lombard Street and the world's crookedest street (Website: [] ). I drove down it once many years ago. The Coit Tower is also a nice spot to visit and view the city (Website: [] ) from telegraph hill. We took the #39 bus from Fisherman's Wharf up to the Tower. It's a steep hill! Here's a website for other spots to visit: [] in San Francisco. Everyone rents bicycles from Blazing Saddles bike rental (Website: [] ). I haven't used them. On one trip, my wife and I walked from Fisherman's Wharf all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge (about 8 miles). It's a cool thing to do (okay you can ride a bike across too). The view is great. Here's the website: []. We have also taken a tour boat from Pier 43 1/2 that goes around the harbor and under the Golden Gate Bridge (no stop at Alcatraz) that we enjoyed. Here's the Website for the Cruise (about an hour): []. We have not visited Alcatraz because of our daytrip schedule, but would like to someday when we're staying for the night and a two-day trip. Here's two websites: [] and []. Fisherman's Wharf (Website: [] ) is a tourist trap, but there are a couple of decent restaurants. We ate at the Crabhouse on Pier 39 for lunch. It was a nice day to sit outside (Website: [] ). I would also recommend the In-N-Out Burger at 333 Jefferson Street. If you're interested in spending a lot of money for food, try Scoma's Restaurant. I ate there once and loved it, but it will cost you (Website: [] ). You might try their Prix Fixe Dinner Menu that costs $29.99 per person. We tried the San Francisco Brewing Company, which is a local place on Columbus Avenue and loved it (Website: [] ). I liked the Andomeda Wheat beer. We also visited the Thirsty Bear Brewing Company (Website: [] ), which has a Spanish Cusine (tapas) and is more of an "organic" place. I'd recommend it also. Lastly, don't forget about ChinaTown. There a numerous restaurants (here's a list: [] ), and we love Chinese food, but we didn't eat there. Sadly, I have no recommendations on places to eat, but here's a webiste: [] with many attractions and possibilities. San Francisco is a great city, and you should go there for at least a one-day or two-day trip at some point while you are a Scout! Enjoy! Mike Summers


 * Mike Summers - October 2011:**

For part of my San Francisco trip, we took the BART over to the University of California - Berkeley Campus (Website: [] ). Get off the BART at the Downtown Berkeley Station. The campuis is two blocks east of the station. Cool campus; the football stadium is about a 10 block walk. I grabbed a Cal-Berkeley t-shirt at T-Shirt Orgy Bear Basics (Information: [] ) where they have a huge variety of clothes. It's along the south side of campus in a student-oriented neighborhood along Telegraph Avenue (Websites: [] and [] ). I checked out two places for food. Jupiter is directly accross the street from the BART Station (Website: [] ); it has a real nice beer garden out back. Beer and food are great. The second place is called Triple Rock. It's about two blocks north of the BART station (Website: [] ). It was a busy place during my visit. The third establishment that I didn't visit here, but have visited in Seattle is the Pyramid Brewery (Website: [] ). They serve the best calamari. All in all, a nice side-trip to our San Francisco visit! Enjoy!


 * Kathy Painter - August 2012:**

Spent three days pretty much at Fisherman's Wharf or our anniversary. Rode bikes over the Golden Gate to Sacilito - ferry back - fantastic! Bike rental $21 per day at [|www.bikerentalsanfrancisco.com]. (near the Argaunat Hotel @ Wharf). Ferry back about $8 each (inluded bike) great views of the bridge and Alcatraz. Lunch at Scomas - lobster bisque and chowder to die for and The Franciscan - excellent crab salad. Dinner @ McKormicks @ Giardelli Square. Little pricey but the food and view are worth it for a special dinner. They even printed a special menu for our anniversary - a nice take-away. The America Cup was in town the weekend we went so lodging was more expensive @ the Wharf, but seeing the boats race was really great. We stayed at the Tuscan Inn - nice rooms and service - free wine and snacks at 5pm and coffee/tea in the lodby most of the day. Of course rode the cable cars to China Town and walked around down town. Ate breastfast @ Buena Vista - famous for their irish coffee - great breakfast and the coffee is wonderful. We took the Bart into town from the airport to Powell street downtown then took the F bus to the Wharf. We bought a three day pass at the airport ($21) and could ride the cable cars, buses, etc. unlimited (did not include the Bart). We will go back to do more biking and spend more time in Sacilito for sure!


 * Kathy Lake - September 2012:**

If any of you are looking for a fun October time in northern California, fly into SFO or SMF and rent a car to tour the fruit trail known as Apple Hill. It is in the vicinity of Placerville (home of Thomas Kincade) on Hwy. 50, which is also the route to South Lake Tahoe! Apple Hill consists of many fruit farmers selling their apples, pears, pomegranates, jellies, crafts, antiques and baked goodies, just to name a few. You drive from ranch to ranch with your fruit trail map as your guide. Weekends are crazy crowded and fun, but they operate every day this time of year, and are in full swing during the month of October. Its a great tradition.....anyone who wants to go, let me know and I might be available to guide and drive................................................... [|http://www.applehill.com]


 * Mike Summers - May 2013:**

Decided to check out Walnut Creek by taking the BART from the SFO airport (BART Website: [] ). In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. by CBS Money Watch and U.S. News. Walnut Creek owns more open space per capita than any other community in the state of California. The Broadway Shopping Plaza is similar to Boulder's Pearl Street Mall, but this Mall has more large retailers and is well maintained. It has something for everyone assuming you have the time to find it in their impressive myriad of stores. The fashions range from classic to preppy and predictable - a mix of luxury items from Burberry and Lacoste and your typical J. Crew, Juicy Couture, Victoria's Secret, and Banana Republic shops. No surprises here (Website: [] ). There are many places to eat, but I went to a favorite of mine, which is the Pyramid Alehouse (Website: [] ). Try the Apricot Ale with the Calamari, it's a treat. If you want to rent a bike, head over to Encina Bicycle Center at 2901 Ygnacio Valley Rd., in Walnut Creek. There are many bike trails (Websites: [] and [] ) that you can bike or run. Walnut Creek is a great place to visit!


 * Tammy Carpenter- September 2013:**

My husband and I went to San Francisco and ate at a wonderful 'locals' restaurant. It was right on the water on Fisherman's Wharf, called Scoma's (Website: [] ). It is at the foot of Jones Street and Jefferson Street. The seafood was awesome. They have their own Boudin bread made specifically for their restaurant which is the best bread I have ever had.


 * Sue Terrill - March 2014:**


 * Photography:** I looked at my digital photos upon returning from San Francisco. I have never taken so many "tilted" photos in my entire life put together. I can usually "eyeball" a scene and make minor corrections afterward, but some of these shots were ridiculous! I would suggest using a __permanently__ straight __vertical__ object to compose your photo, such as a brick building. Trees and light poles do not appear to be upright in this city, so I wouldn't use those for your straight line. I really enjoyed this trip with two other Scout Friends, Cindy and Sandy. Thanks to all of you who have posted suggestions on this site. The suggestions really did help us to use our time well on our Day Trip.


 * Mike Summers - August 2014:**

San Francisco is one of the best one-day or two-day trips that you can take any time of year. The BART makes it easy to get from the airport to downtown. Exit the BART at Powell Street and visit the Information Center there for ideas on transportation and places to visit. From the Information Center, cross Market Street and take one of the electric streetcars (F Market) to the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf ($2.00 exact change). Once you get to Fisherman's Wharf, head to 425 Jefferson Street and San Francisco Bicycle Rentals. They have an on-line deal at 20% off. Once you get your bike, ride to the Golden gate Bridge. It's a lot of fun! The view is great! They recommend taking the ferry back, but we didn't on this trip. Once it's time to go back to the airport check out Broken Record. To get there, exit the BART at the Balboa Park Station and walk about .75 miles east on Geneva Street to the Broken Record (Map for walking directions: [] ). They have an amazing range of whiskey and rye along with some great food (Website: [] ). The crispy Tiger Prawn Sandwich and the Ox Tail Polenta are great! Another iconic stop is the Boudin Bakery (Website: https://boudinbakery.com/ ) at Fisherman's Wharf. There are other locations, but this is the Flagship location. Fresh bread and soup are a great combination, here. A second San Francisco Institution that you may enjoy for a special occasion is the House of Prime Rib (Website: http://www.houseofprimerib.net/#menu ).  Once you're done, walk back to the BART station and head to the airport for your flight home.