Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > America - USA > San Francisco
Reload this Page >

Consolidated "What to do during layover/stopover at SFO" thread

Old Aug 27, 2016, 3:51 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
SFO/OAK/SJC Bay Area Happy Hour Thread

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 dont need a ticket or boarding pass. Visitors will undergo a security check. Food and beverages are allowed but smoking is not permitted."
Outside SFO:
  • 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)
Print Wikipost

Consolidated "What to do during layover/stopover at SFO" thread

Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:10 am
  #91  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 64
Wow, you guys figured out where I was going!

I arrive at the International Terminal at 2:25pm and will be flying off at 7:14pm. (Now I'm sure you could figure out my flight number as well.)

I assume I need to clear immigration at the International Terminal. They tend not to like me. So I'm not sure if this gives me time to go into the city? (I will stop by a day on the way back to see some friends in Berkeley.)

If I do not use the RCC, where is a good place to rest?

I was last in San Fransisco almost 10 years ago!
geraldtancw is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:11 am
  #92  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HPN
Programs: not anymore! I'm FREE!
Posts: 3,451
The departure areas in the international terminal are often very quiet. Once you clear security into the United domestic terminal, follow the signs to the international terminal and walk around. (Or, I suppose you could just go upstairs after clearing customs and clear security in the international terminal itself, but if the TSA gives you grief for being in the wrong terminal, just clear in terminal 3.)

Depending on the time of day, you'll see a number of gates with no planes, and it should be pretty quiet. In general, the design of SFO's international terminal promotes a quiet, almost serene atmosphere, because the gate waiting areas are on a different floor from the main corridor. This design causes the noise from hundreds of people and dozens of PA announcements to be contained to individual, isolated areas instead of spreading and combining into the awful cacophony that assaults the ears in most airport terminals.

Edited to add: well, if you have 5 whole hours, and you aren't absolutely smashed from the long flight, you might want to seriously consider the advice to take BART to the Embarcadero or downtown SF, and just stroll around. SF is beautiful!
snic is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:17 am
  #93  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BWI
Programs: UA S/AGR S+/MR G/SW CP/AA Plat
Posts: 280
Also, if you want a nice sit down dinner (or lunch) the Yankee Pier at the beginning of the United terminal near gate 72 is great place to spend some time.
BaltimoreZ71 is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:31 am
  #94  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,745
The op does not have to get a rcc pass. He can also get a pass for another lounge, though UA may offer the best choice.
zrs70 is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:36 am
  #95  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SFO
Posts: 390
Agree with the BART-to-SF recommendation. You can take the AirTrain direct from the terminals to the SFO BART Station.

Also, regarding the RCC thread, IMO the RCC in the international terminal is FAR better than the one in Terminal 3. These terminals are connected plane-side of the security checkpoints, just turn left after security in Terminal 3. Disclaimer: I don't know if the RCC in the International Terminal functions differently than the domestic one as far as day-passes, etc.
Garrett Choi is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:38 am
  #96  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,621
Originally Posted by elitelite
I don't know if you can shuttle between them........with the day pass.
Its not a day pass, its a one time pass. Once used it goes poof, even if you leave the club to get a bite, you actually may need another to get back in (provided the matron doesn't remember you... or becomes a dragon).

Now to the OP:

If you feel like a shower after the 10 hours in Y, go to Freshen up! in the intl terminal. Here is a review with pictures: http://www.travbuddy.com/Freshen-Up-v373177
jhayes_1780 is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:50 am
  #97  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 64
I really appreciate all your thoughts.

Just one more thing: I am arriving from London into SFO, international terminal. Do I need to clear immigration in SFO international terminal (as opposed to another terminal or my ultimate destination HNL?)

If I clear immigration in SFO international terminal, I need to get back into terminal 3 to catch a United flight to Hawaii. Does it mean I have to go through the security screenings all over again?

Many thanks
Gerald
geraldtancw is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:57 am
  #98  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Million Mile Nobody, Marriott Platinum Elite, SPG Gold
Posts: 25,228
Originally Posted by geraldtancw
I really appreciate all your thoughts.

Just one more thing: I am arriving from London into SFO, international terminal. Do I need to clear immigration in SFO international terminal (as opposed to another terminal or my ultimate destination HNL?)

If I clear immigration in SFO international terminal, I need to get back into terminal 3 to catch a United flight to Hawaii. Does it mean I have to go through the security screenings all over again?

Many thanks
Gerald
Everyone entering the US has to clear customs at their first point of arrival. Yes, you clear at the SFO international terminal. Then you exit the immigration area, turn left, and have the choice of going up the escalator back to the international terminal or right to the UA domestic terminal. Either way, you must reclear security. But once you do that, you can roam between the airside of both terminals without exiting security.
flyinbob is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 8:58 am
  #99  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,067
Originally Posted by geraldtancw
I really appreciate all your thoughts.

Just one more thing: I am arriving from London into SFO, international terminal. Do I need to clear immigration in SFO international terminal (as opposed to another terminal or my ultimate destination HNL?)

If I clear immigration in SFO international terminal, I need to get back into terminal 3 to catch a United flight to Hawaii. Does it mean I have to go through the security screenings all over again?

Many thanks
Gerald
You always need to reclaim bags, recheck them, and reclear security when transiting the US from an int'l location.

As for getting into the RCC, why not post in the RCC meetings thread your requested date and see if someone will guest you in?
channa is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 9:33 am
  #100  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
If you want to take a shower after your long flight there is a place called Freshen Up at SFO.

From flysfo.com:

"Shower facilities are available at Freshen Up! located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102. Freshen Up! is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. For additional information call 650.877.0798."

If you're not tired I would also recommend hopping on BART downtown. The ride is only about 30 mins or so and the trains run every 15 mins. If you like shopping get off at Powell and there's tons of it. Plenty of other things you can see in the 2-3 hours you'll have to spend down there.

But it'll be getting late London time around then and you might be tired. If so, for that long of a layover I'd pay the $35 to use the UA RCC. The pass is only good for one RCC so you won't be able to hop between them... your Hawaii flight will leave from the domestic terminal but I'd probably choose the interntional RCC to lounge in for the day. Unfortunately there are no beds or places to lay down.

Another option... you appear to be on the last nonstop of the day to HNL. UA has another nonstop (on most days anyway) leaving at ~4:20pm. You could pay $50 and go standby on the earlier flight.. if you do just be sure you tell the agent at checkin you're doing standby so they can correctly tag your bag.
SEA1K4EVR is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 9:35 am
  #101  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 144
Don't go into the city. First, it will cost you about $16 round trip on BART, since they've decided that they can rip off airport passengers. Second, the trip to the city will just be stressful on very noisy and dirty trains. But most importantly, you won't have enough time to really enjoy yourself - maybe 2 hours? That's not quite enough.

Have you been to In-n-Out (local West Coast burger chain) before? If not, that could be a fun little trip. It's quite close to the airport, and you can either take the Airtrain and walk a little bit to get to it or you can take a taxi (probably for around $16 round trip, too!).

Then you just have another hour to kill at the airport, which isn't bad - especially since you will be in HI soon enough!
sba110 is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 9:50 am
  #102  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 64
Appreciate all the suggestions - you're all such a lovely friendly bunch!
geraldtancw is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 9:53 am
  #103  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HPN
Programs: not anymore! I'm FREE!
Posts: 3,451
Originally Posted by DimSum
Agree with the BART-to-SF recommendation. You can take the AirTrain direct from the terminals to the SFO BART Station.
OP is arriving at the international terminal, which is where the BART station is. So, no need to take the AirTrain.
snic is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 9:53 am
  #104  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
You can also BART it to the In-n-Out in Millbrae. It's $4 each way by BART and it drops you off across the street.

There's also a quiet "reflection room" (or whatever) in the International terminal by the BART entrance.

The RCC is never worth paying for.
unavaca is offline  
Old Jul 22, 2010, 10:12 am
  #105  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SF BayArea
Programs: Nothing worth mentioning
Posts: 2,223
Yes, it is my home airport but I actually like SFO, both International & Domestic terminals are very nice: Not too huge, relatively new, some decent shops & quite clean. However, having a quiet lounge to park oneself on a long layover has it's advantages too.

Here is the link for asking for guest-help at UA RCC: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ar-2010-a.html

RCC's at SFO are worthwhile if you have been flying coach & want a quiet place to relax, play on the internet, have a snack & free non-alcoholic beverages (alcohol is served but it ain't free). If you do not get in as a guest, then paying $39 for one-time-use pass is not a bad way to spend a few hours in-between flights.
travelsavant is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.