Aug 27, 2016, 3:51 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
SFO/OAK/SJC Bay Area Happy Hour Thread
Plane Spotting
At SFO:
Plane Spotting
At SFO:
- The new SFO outdoor observation deck “is located at the far end of the G side (United/Star Alliance) of the airport's international terminal. It will be open daily from 7:00 am until 11:30 pm “as of Wednesday, 6 Feb 2019. “Only passengers using Terminal 3 (United) and the International G-side will have access to it...The 2,997 square foot, roofless deck, offers expansive 180+ degree views of the ramp and runways on the north side of the airport and beyond.” Link to full article and slideshow from sfgate.
(TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID)the SFO Sky Terrace is landside (pre-security) in Terminal 2: "... open to the general public seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. There is no cost to enter and you don’t need a ticket or boarding pass. Visitors will undergo a security check. Food and beverages are allowed but smoking is not permitted."
- Assuming typical "West Plan" operations, Coyote Point Recreation Area (https://goo.gl/maps/DAUZv7A9bFS2) is an excellent location. There are a few overlooks on the trails by the water, depending what angle you want. Vehicular access is via Coyote Point Dr and costs $6 per vehicle.
- For free alternatives consider parking at Ryder Park (https://goo.gl/maps/h48Dk8PhNGk) or Seal Point Park just down the street. There is a flat paved path between here and Coyote Point, although there are overhead power lines along the shore. (Coyote Point and Seal Point parks have unobstructed views however)
Consolidated "What to do during layover/stopover at SFO" thread
Feb 14, 2011, 12:58 pm
#151
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Diamond HH, Gold Marriott, UA "Plebe"
Posts: 90
Taking RT BART for 5.5hr. Layover at SFO
Will be flying IAH-SFO in May. Will be flying F on UA with Continental PC membership. Is there any storage (locked or unlocked) at UA RCC? I have a 5.5 hr. layover on the way to KOA, and thought I would take the BART to the Embacadero. If no storage at RCC, are there large lockers in SFO terminal 3?
Feb 14, 2011, 1:07 pm
#152
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
Feb 14, 2011, 1:11 pm
#153
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
All the RCC's (AFAIK) have luggage storage areas that are meant for you store stuff in while you're visiting. I don't think it would be a problem for you to leave yoru stuff there while you go downtown for a few hours. However they are not secured or monitored so you'd be leaving it there at your own risk.
Personally since you're continuing on to KOA I think you should just check your bags at IAH...that way UA will hold onto them for you. Maybe carry on something small and easy to carry like a knapsack with essentials.
Otherwise, according to flysfo.com, there are storage facilities available here:
Storage Facilities
Storage is exclusively available at the Airport Travel Agency. Items such as luggage, dog kennels, golf equipment, surf equipment, skis, bicycles and canoes may be stored. Prices vary according to item size, please contact the Airport Travel Agency for complete information.
International Terminal, Main Hall, pre-security
hours: daily, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
phone: 650.877.0422
Personally since you're continuing on to KOA I think you should just check your bags at IAH...that way UA will hold onto them for you. Maybe carry on something small and easy to carry like a knapsack with essentials.
Otherwise, according to flysfo.com, there are storage facilities available here:
Storage Facilities
Storage is exclusively available at the Airport Travel Agency. Items such as luggage, dog kennels, golf equipment, surf equipment, skis, bicycles and canoes may be stored. Prices vary according to item size, please contact the Airport Travel Agency for complete information.
International Terminal, Main Hall, pre-security
hours: daily, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
phone: 650.877.0422
Feb 14, 2011, 3:01 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,605
Storage Facilities
Storage is exclusively available at the Airport Travel Agency. Items such as luggage, dog kennels, golf equipment, surf equipment, skis, bicycles and canoes may be stored. Prices vary according to item size, please contact the Airport Travel Agency for complete information.
International Terminal, Main Hall, pre-security
hours: daily, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
phone: 650.877.0422
Storage is exclusively available at the Airport Travel Agency. Items such as luggage, dog kennels, golf equipment, surf equipment, skis, bicycles and canoes may be stored. Prices vary according to item size, please contact the Airport Travel Agency for complete information.
International Terminal, Main Hall, pre-security
hours: daily, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
phone: 650.877.0422
Feb 15, 2011, 9:16 am
#156
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
There's a review on yelp from 2 weeks ago where a poster says he was charged $12 for a medium size bag.
Here's a 2008 price list that was posted on tripadvisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...alifornia.html
Here's a 2008 price list that was posted on tripadvisor:
We have just arrived home.
I picked up the price list at SFO.
Here it goes:
Small purse or camera bag= $6
Suitcases from $8 to $12 and up
Oversize bags from $12 to $15 and up
Golf bags, skis from $12 to $15 and up
Surf equipment from $15 to $30 and up
Bicycle from $15 to $25 and up
Canoe, bass violin from $20 to $30 and up
I picked up the price list at SFO.
Here it goes:
Small purse or camera bag= $6
Suitcases from $8 to $12 and up
Oversize bags from $12 to $15 and up
Golf bags, skis from $12 to $15 and up
Surf equipment from $15 to $30 and up
Bicycle from $15 to $25 and up
Canoe, bass violin from $20 to $30 and up
May 31, 2011, 2:06 pm
#157
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 65
4.5-hour layover in SFO
Hi folks,
Is it advisable to slip into town on the BART and back to SFO on a 4.5-hour layover? Probably for a quick bite and some sightseeing, nothing fancy.
I arrive in SFO at 0930 and my connecting flight is at 1400.
I've searched this thread but found scant advice on <5-hour layovers.
Thanks!
Is it advisable to slip into town on the BART and back to SFO on a 4.5-hour layover? Probably for a quick bite and some sightseeing, nothing fancy.
I arrive in SFO at 0930 and my connecting flight is at 1400.
I've searched this thread but found scant advice on <5-hour layovers.
Thanks!
May 31, 2011, 4:09 pm
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,572
Hi folks,
Is it advisable to slip into town on the BART and back to SFO on a 4.5-hour layover? Probably for a quick bite and some sightseeing, nothing fancy.
I arrive in SFO at 0930 and my connecting flight is at 1400.
I've searched this thread but found scant advice on <5-hour layovers.
Thanks!
Is it advisable to slip into town on the BART and back to SFO on a 4.5-hour layover? Probably for a quick bite and some sightseeing, nothing fancy.
I arrive in SFO at 0930 and my connecting flight is at 1400.
I've searched this thread but found scant advice on <5-hour layovers.
Thanks!
May 31, 2011, 9:10 pm
#160
Join Date: May 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 1,960
You could get a little extra time cushion by coming in only so far as 16th St and having lunch in the mission district at one of the taquerias (lots of restaurants around the station), or Powell Street (cable cars above the station.... decent food on the basement level of the San Francisco Centre, connected to the station. A lot open for food early, so you can get headed back at noon).
The ferry building, at Embarcadero, has the big farmer's market with plenty to munch on on Saturdays, and a smaller version of it on Thursday mornings.
The ferry building, at Embarcadero, has the big farmer's market with plenty to munch on on Saturdays, and a smaller version of it on Thursday mornings.
Nov 3, 2011, 7:50 am
#162
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT G (1MM);DL G, UA GM
Posts: 2,028
I just did this on a whim, after planning to hang out at SFO. Landed at 5:40 pm, got to Ferry Building just over an hour later, enjoyed a dozen oysters and a glass of wine at an outdoor table overlooking the water at the Hog Island Oyster Company -- overpriced but delicious and fun. Was through security before 9. The BART ride is about 30 minutes.
Jan 3, 2012, 6:57 am
#163
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SIN
Posts: 23
6 hour layover at SFO - need suggestions
My incoming SQ flight lands at 1115hrs and domestic connection on Horizon Air leaves at 1740hours. I will be arriving with luggage to check in and a hand carry bag. Since this is the first time I'm able to get out of SFO to the city, I'm hoping to grab lunch at the Ferry building or Fisherman's Wharf then head back to SFO. Oysters, clam chowder or crab sounds really good to me.
If you were in my shoes, how would you manage the check-in, what would you do with the bags and where would you go to eat? Suggestions please!
If you were in my shoes, how would you manage the check-in, what would you do with the bags and where would you go to eat? Suggestions please!
Last edited by WestofSIN; Jan 3, 2012 at 7:00 am Reason: Put in food cravings. :)
Jan 3, 2012, 7:24 am
#164
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 529
There's a baggage storage service in the international terminal (pre-security). Not sure how much they charge per hour.
You can take a taxi or BART to the Embarcadero to get to the Ferry Building. For Fisherman's Wharf you'll be better off taking a taxi.
Have fun.
You can take a taxi or BART to the Embarcadero to get to the Ferry Building. For Fisherman's Wharf you'll be better off taking a taxi.
Have fun.