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
Dec 14, 2006, 5:54 pm
#46
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: near DTW
Posts: 247
Definitely take BART to downtown SF -- i would get off at Powell, exit to street, buy a day ticket for MUNI and ride cable car to Fishermans wharf, view of GG bridge, Alcatraz, etc. have drink at Buena Vista, take streetcar to Ferry Building, browse (also could eat here). Alternate stop off at Chinatown on way to wharf. Take BART from Embarkadero back to SFO. Old hippies could take BART all the way to Berkeley for a day on Telegraph Ave and Peoples Park.
Dec 21, 2006, 5:26 am
#48
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SFO, SJC
Programs: UA 1K MM, United Club, AA EP, BR, CI, CX, WN, SPG, HH, Marriott Gold, LeClub Accor PLAT
Posts: 338
Sfo
I have a one-time-use RCC pass in my hands.
I'll be flying TPE-NGO-SFO-ORD.
I have a seven hour layover in SFO.
**EDIT: I miscalculated. I get in around 8am and leave 5pm, so it's actually a nine hour layover.**
Questions:
1. When I arrive, I'll arrive in the international terminal, correct?
2. I'm assuming I'll need to pick up my luggage immediately (for Customs). Do I need to take my luggage over to the domestic terminal, or is there somewhere I can drop them off in the international terminal?
3. I've read that there are multiple RCCs at SFO. Which one should I go to?
P.S. Is the one-time-use RCC pass truly one-time-use, or can I use it at both the NGO RCC and SFO RCC, provided I'll be passing through them consecutively? It'd be nice to have somewhere to stay during my 1-2 hour layover in NGO.
I'll be flying TPE-NGO-SFO-ORD.
I have a seven hour layover in SFO.
**EDIT: I miscalculated. I get in around 8am and leave 5pm, so it's actually a nine hour layover.**
Questions:
1. When I arrive, I'll arrive in the international terminal, correct?
2. I'm assuming I'll need to pick up my luggage immediately (for Customs). Do I need to take my luggage over to the domestic terminal, or is there somewhere I can drop them off in the international terminal?
3. I've read that there are multiple RCCs at SFO. Which one should I go to?
P.S. Is the one-time-use RCC pass truly one-time-use, or can I use it at both the NGO RCC and SFO RCC, provided I'll be passing through them consecutively? It'd be nice to have somewhere to stay during my 1-2 hour layover in NGO.
1. Yes, you will arrive in SFO at the International G numbered gates:
http://www.flysfo.com/guide_nonflash...rminalmaps.htm
2. Yes, you must deplane in SFO, pass through passport control, wait to pick up your checked luggage and clear customs. Next, take the "connecting flights" exit. In that corridor, there should be airline personnel around to put your checked luggage onto the conveyor belt there. You do NOT need to walk over to United's domestic Terminal 3 to re-check your bags unless you want to. It is a very short walk if you want to explore a bit.
3. Yes, there are multiple RCCs in SFO: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1121,00.html (Domestic Terminal 3 RCC, International Terminal G RCC, there is also an International First Lounge in International Terminal G) however you can only access ONE of the RCCs based upon your itinerary (this will become self-explanatory when you deplane in SFO, since you will arrive on the international arrivals level with nothing except immigrations/customs, no shops or a place to sit, except for a toilet) so your only choices are, to keep the RCC one-time pass (unless it will expire soon) or to use it in the Domestic Terminal 3 RCC.
Just a heads-up, you must deplane in NGO. Also, like another FT member stated, there is NO RCC in NGO (I try to fly through NRT if the fares are the same because the NRT RCC is beautiful, there are showers available, and also do a search for the famous "beer machine" there. If you're bored in NGO and want to pass time before your flight, you can clear immigration to get a sticker in your passport and come back in to get another stamp. Either way there will be another security screening before you board your flight to SFO.
Yes, your one-time RCC pass will be collected upon its use.
Note: Your flight from NGO will most likely arrive early into SFO with the crazy winter tailwinds. You could stay in the airport and just walk around the terminals. You can take the free 24-hour AirTrain (two lines: Red & Blue) around the terminals: http://www.flysfo.com/guide_nonflash...d/airtrain.htm
You could walk outside, curbside departures level, and wait for the Long-Term parking shuttle bus:
http://www.flysfo.com/transport/park..._prk_long.html
It also runs 24 hours a day. Ride it all the way to the garage and back, you'll get great views of the airport Christmas lights!
To ride BART (BART is like the MRT in Taipei, but just more expensive) into San Francisco, follow the directions on this page:
http://www.flysfo.com/transport/serv...p?gt_mode_id=4
The BART station is in the international terminal departures level. Be sure to stop by the "Reflection Room" on the right, just before the BART station.
Depending on the day of week you are in SFO, you can visit the Aviation Library & Museum in the International Terminal: http://www.sfoarts.org/about/alm.html
The hours are: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM Sunday through Friday, closed Saturdays and holidays.
Have fun! Happy Holidays!
Jul 31, 2007, 11:41 am
#49
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,941
"Layover of atleast 1hr, rush to Chinatown for dim sum"
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/business/31flier.html
Did I miss something? He makes it to Chinatown and back in an hour? 
San Francisco International Airport is also among my favorites. I usually have at least an hour layover there, so I rush to Chinatown for dim sum. I’m a tourist in a town where I’ve spent thousands of hours working.
Aug 9, 2007, 3:20 am
#52
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 66
Overnight Layover in SFO - What Are My Options?
Hi
I will fly via SFO to SEA on Aug 18th. I'll arrive in SFO arround 10:30 pm and fly to SEA at 6:05 am. Can I stay during the night in the UA lounge or which hotel is the closest to the airport? What would you do in my situation?
Regards
Michael
I will fly via SFO to SEA on Aug 18th. I'll arrive in SFO arround 10:30 pm and fly to SEA at 6:05 am. Can I stay during the night in the UA lounge or which hotel is the closest to the airport? What would you do in my situation?
Regards
Michael
Aug 9, 2007, 3:25 am
#53
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,018
or which hotel is the closest to the airport?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=468
Aug 9, 2007, 3:51 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,483
Aug 9, 2007, 5:08 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,159
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)
I would recommend the Westin. It is really nice and you can walk to a in-n-out burger and a small mart. If you use one of the airport accomodation forms you can get it for as low as $79.
I would recommend the Westin. It is really nice and you can walk to a in-n-out burger and a small mart. If you use one of the airport accomodation forms you can get it for as low as $79.
Aug 9, 2007, 5:15 am
#58
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 66
7 hour stopover at night, where to go?
Hi
I'll arrive in SFO at 22:30 on the 18th of August and leave at 6:05 on the 19th. What would you recommend me to do? Is there any place open in the airport to drink something during the night maybe with free wireless internet or is there a motel you could recommend with a 24 hour shuttle? And would this be worth it since I probably have to get up again at 4:00 am?
I'll arrive in SFO at 22:30 on the 18th of August and leave at 6:05 on the 19th. What would you recommend me to do? Is there any place open in the airport to drink something during the night maybe with free wireless internet or is there a motel you could recommend with a 24 hour shuttle? And would this be worth it since I probably have to get up again at 4:00 am?