San Francisco - N-Judah closure question

I'm visiting the Bay Area next week and am planning a carless day trip up to the City from Palo Alto, where I'll be staying with family. The first stop is near Cole and Parnassus for lunch with a friend. I'll be taking Caltrain to 4th and King, and had hoped to take the N-Judah from Caltrain all the way to the restaurant.

Sadly, it appears that the line will be shut down for track work starting tomorrow until June 4. While the Muni website mentions a replacement shuttle, I couldn't find any information on its route. I was hoping to get some advice from City dwellers: I assume I could still take Muni Metro from Caltrain (does the K-line serve Caltrain?) to the Van Ness stop, and then get the N shuttle bus there? Or maybe I should take the 71 bus from Market Street to the Haight? Or is a cab a better idea (are there even taxis at Caltrain?)...

Thanks in advance.

replacement buses from CalTrain.

Long answer:
Changes to the N Judah Rail Line:
The N Judah Rail Line will be completely shut down
Substitute bus service provided; will vary weekdays and weekends

Going to Carl and Parnassus: T Line , across the street from CalTrain to Van Ness and take the Judah replacement bus, 71 or 6 Parnassus bus.

Cab will be about $25.

http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mproj/May2012Shutdown_000.htm

Take a cab. Muni is notoriously terrible at providing regularly scheduled service. Replacement shuttles seem to run only when it is not inconvenient for the drivers.

Take a cab. Muni is notoriously terrible at providing regularly scheduled service. Replacement shuttles seem to run only when it is not inconvenient for the drivers.

the Judah closure is a BIG DEAL so they have been ramping up for a while.

However the Giants are also in town so will add more excitement/stress than necessary.

Thanks for the replies. Are there usually cabs waiting at the Caltrain station?

Thanks for the replies. Are there usually cabs waiting at the Caltrain station?

Yes.

There is a taxi stand at the Caltrain station. However, if you want to save a few bucks by incorporating Muni into the mix, I think you have two decent options involving regularly-scheduled service:

1 (more expensive): Take the T line (or Castro shuttle if it is running) from the Caltrain station to Castro Station. Exit Castro station and wait at Castro & Market for a taxi. There are usually a lot of empty cabs driving around this area. A taxi to Cole & Parnassus will cost around $9 plus tip.

2 (cheaper, but involves more waiting): Take the T line (or Castro shuttle if it is running) from the Caltrain station to Church Station. Exit Church Station and wait at 14th & Church for the 37 line (my bus, incidentally). The 37 will take you to the corner of Cole & Parnassus.