Parking and transportation for all!

Here’s some useful information for getting into, around, and out of San Francisco.

Welcome to San Francisco – Now what?

Super Shuttle
The Future Untied has made arrangements for a discounted shuttle service available 8/7/09- 8/23/09. Ride SuperShuttle to and from SFO, and receive $2.00 OFF each way, from OAK, receive $4.00 OFF each way. Discount applies only on the “Shared Ride” service.

To receive your discount:

• Make your reservation by phone (1-800-258-3826, provide the discount code ECB8C ) or by following this through this link.
• Provide the requested information, to include roundtrip service, your name, flight details
• Select Airport (as listed above) from the drop-down listing of Airports.
• Provide a credit card for payment.
• Print your confirmation page (or you can e-mail it to yourself).

Note:  You do not have to have an advance reservation to ride SuperShuttle, but without a reservation you will pay the full fare on the van.

Another Note: The discount code is only available for reservations made at the link above or www.supershuttle.com.

Taxi
From the terminal follow the signs to Ground Transportation. From there, follow the signs for TAXIS. The fare for taxi service between the airport and the St. Francis Hotel is approximately $45 and the travel time is approximately 30 minutes. Both are dependent on traffic, time of day and day of the week.

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
From the terminal follow signs to BART. BART is adjacent to the International Terminal. From the Domestic Terminal it is about a 10 minute walk depending on which gate you are coming from or you may ride the AirTrain which is a free service. You will need to purchase a $5.15 ticket for BART. Board a Dublin/Pleasanton-bound train and get off at Powell Street, which is the 10th stop from SFO. The train ride from station to station is approximate 30 minutes. Visit www.bart.gov for a complete list of time schedules.

Driving Directions To Our Luxury Hotel From East: Take Route 580 and cross the Bay Bridge, to the Fremont Street Exit on the right. Turn left onto Howard Street, and proceed 4 blocks to 3rd Street. Go right on 3rd Street and cross Market Street. Turn left onto Geary Street until you cross Powell Street. The Westin St. Francis “carriage entrance” is located on Geary, a half block past Powell Street.

From San Francisco International Airport: Take Highway 101 North and exit at 4th Street. Exit right onto Bryant and continue 1 block and turn left onto 3rd Street. Cross the Market Street intersection, and turn left onto Geary Street. The hotel is located just past Union Square, and The Westin St. Francis “carriage entrance” is located on Geary Street, a half block past Powell Street.

From the Golden Gate Bridge (North): Cross the bridge and exit at Lombard Street. Turn right onto Van Ness, and left onto Bush. Turn right onto Powell, then make another right onto Geary Street. The Westin St. Francis “carriage entrance” is right off of Geary Street.

Parking

Hotel parking: It’s $45.00 a night at the Hotel but across the street from the hotel  in the Union Square Garage people can park for $31.00 a night www.unionsquareshop.com/index.html

Union Square Garage & Parking Rates - see map below

View Larger Map

333 Post Street, San Francisco – (415) 397-0631 (between Powell & Stockton – entrance on Geary)

Open 7 days/week. Daily parking may be paid with credit cards or cash.

Parking Garage Rates:
0-1 Hours = $3.00
1-2 Hours= $7.00
2-3 Hours = $9.00
3-4 Hours = $13.00
4-5 Hours = $17.00
5-6 Hours = $21.00
6-7 Hours = $22.00
7-24 Hours = $31.00
Lost Ticket = $30.00
Motorcycle = $4.00
BLOG BONUS:
Helpful tips from ~MadamG

Here are some ideas for parking and getting around for those coming from out of town who just HAVE to have their own transportation:

1.  Rent a car only on the day(s) you will plan to go out of the walking area.  Some car rental companies will deliver the car to you at the hotel and pick it back up a the close of the day.  You can completely avoid paying for parking if you will only need a car for a day or two. I did some research.  The following are right at Union Square.  You can walk over and pick up a car and drop it off in the same day.  If you need to park for a bit during the day…use the meters instead of hotel parking.

Hertz Auto Rentals 415-771-2200  —->Confirmed walking distance from Westin St Francis
Dollar Car Rentals 415-771-5302 —->Confirmed walking distance from Westin St Francis
Alamo 415-292-5353  —->Phone was busy each time I called, didn’t confirm
Avis 415-885-5011 —->Confirmed walking distance from Westin St Francis (2 blocks)
Budget 415-928-7864  —->Number disconnected (shrugs)
Enterprise 415-837-1700 —->Confirmed walking distance from Westin St Francis (a few blocks)

2.  Find a car buddy or organize a car pool!  If you will be renting a car yourself then ask a couple of friends if they’d like to ride with you when you go on outtings and find out where they’d like to go as well.  Everyone can split the parking expenses or they can split parking and you can pay for gas and the rental….or whatever you can agree on.

3.  From my experience the airport may have shuttles for the car rentals that are in the airport.  But the prices for car rentals at airports are usually higher than those found in the city.  If you are like me and feel naked without a car and need one as soon as you step off the airplane…try stepping out of your comfort zone this time and taking a taxi to the hotel. Only get a car when you really need one. Plan ahead.  Relax and enjoy the city from the passengers seat!

4.  Plan a day/night out with friends and split the cost of a limo or car.

5.  Rent a bike!

Warmest Regards,
~MadamG