Planning a trip to San Francisco

[Floridaaddict]

Hi,

We are planning a trip from the UK to US this Christmas to San Francisco, DH whould love to see the Oakland Raiders game on the 26th December.

We havn't finalised any plans yet, but have a couple of questions that hopefully some of you kind disers may be able to help with.

Any recommendations of a good area to stay??? (2 adults / 2 kids)

What are the travel options to the Stadium for the game?

Many thanks

 

[kieras nana]

you may get more replies,if you post,on the california & the west board.
tracy

 

[minniecarousel]

My recommendation is to research the San Francisco hotels. Check in the Union Square area and at Fisherman's Wharf. Sorry - I'm no help on which hotel.

To get to the Raiders game, the best way to get there is to take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). It will take you from San Francisco to Oakland. The Coliseum, where the Raiders play has a stop that it shares with the Oakland Airport. You simply walk off the BART train and there are signs directing you to the walkway that goes right to the stadium (very easy, short walk). You do not want to stay at a hotel near the Oakland Coliseum. This will be a destination away from SF.

I'm sure you're aware of the sites in SF. Don't miss going to the Presidio and seeing the Walt Disney Family Museum. You MUST order tickets for this ahead of time (as in NOW). On weekends and around holidays, there will not be any walk-up tickets.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and you get all your questions answered.

 

[tommya60]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf last year...it's not fancy, but it has a really great location. You can purchase a transportation pass at the Walgreen's drugstore on the corner..it's good for the trolley cars and the buses. I don't think it works for BART....
If you want to tour Alcatrez, make sure you have warm jackets with you. And waterproof is good, too. I didn't like it, but DH and DD did. We had a great trip, and I'm sure you will, too!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Also be sure to get your Raider's tickets as soon as you can. They have a lot of season ticket holders and the remaining tickets tend to sell out very early.

 

[jlmarr]

As mentioned above, BART is the best way to get to the Oakland Coliseum from SF. BART runs underneath Market Street in San Francisco, and then under the bay for about 8 minutes (hold your breath) on the way to Oakland and points east. We've stayed at the Parc 55 hotel very near the Powell & Market cable car turntable and liked it very much. There are numerous other hotels in that area around Union Square.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

We have a timeshare in San Francisco but BART is the best.
Star on the trolley line (we stay powell at pine and its close to union square)

 

[LuvSulley]

I agree with the PP about taking Bart. It'll be cheaper and faster than any other option.

 

[Orange County Girl]

I highly recommend using this tour bus company to sight see and get around town. You can use it to get to a lot of the tourist areas and the evening tour (on the upper deck!) is a must.
You don't need to order tickets in advance, you can just walk up to a bus at any of it's stops and purchase tickets.

http://www.city-sightseeing.us/index.htm

 

[Floridaaddict]

Thanks for all the replies, as soon as I get the flights booked will go straight into planning mode! Some great tips and advice.

I have wanted to visit San Francisco for a very long time, so fingers crossed we will make it this year!

Thanks again

 

[My2Cinderellas]

where to stay depends on if you are planning on using a car or not. SF is not a car friendly town. as you may have figured out, SF has 2 different types of public transportation. I used both on my trip there last spring.

BART is the train system - connecting from SFO airport up to SF, under the bay to Oakland and other North/East bay towns. Charges vary based on distance. It was $8.60 I think per person each way from SFO to downtown SF (Powell St station).

MUNI is San Francisco buses, cable cars and streetcars. You can purchase multi day muni passes in a number of locations. If you plan on riding the cable cars more than once, this pass is the way to go IMO. I purchased mine at a kiosk just outside the Powell St BART station. MUNI passes are not valid for BART travel.

I would recommend staying in the Union Square area over Fishermans Wharf. It is much more centrally located and the Wharf area is just a cable car ride away.

Check in on the California & the West disboard - I got lots of good advice from the posters over there.

 

[Glenn]

Stayed at Holiday Fishermans wharf a few yrs ago, as mentioned not fancy but great location. Walgreens around the corner, end of the F line by Walgreens and end of 1 of the cable car routes a block away. The hotel also has a Dennys & regular restraunt. Dont think of driving in town parking is very expensive & the muni stytem is great. Look for coupons at San Fransico tourism & San Fransico coupons. Mostly a couple of bucks off of things but it adds up. You will also find news boxes with coupon books in tourist areas. Have fun, its a great city. Oh just over the golden gate there is Muir woods if you want to see redwoods.

 

[jlmarr]

Of course don't miss the Walt Disney Family Museum.

And here's some info on the F Trolley.