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
Apr 26, 2006, 9:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Programs: UA MileagePlus, AAAdvantage, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 146
Consolidated "What to do during layover/stopover at SFO" thread
Hi
on monday I'm flying LHR-SYD via SFO. I have 5hrs in transit at SFO, and have a friend who lives 15 minutes from the airport.
He's offered to take me out for a beer/some food, but what are my chances (and will it be worth it) to get out of the airport and back in. I can't imagine customs would be too pleased with it....
any ideas/experience please?
Any help appreciated
cheers
PS - I'm a UK passport holder......
on monday I'm flying LHR-SYD via SFO. I have 5hrs in transit at SFO, and have a friend who lives 15 minutes from the airport.
He's offered to take me out for a beer/some food, but what are my chances (and will it be worth it) to get out of the airport and back in. I can't imagine customs would be too pleased with it....
any ideas/experience please?
Any help appreciated
cheers
PS - I'm a UK passport holder......
Apr 26, 2006, 9:35 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
You're going to have to clear customs no matter what since you're transitting the US... There's really no other option. Once you pass immigration, you're in the US anyhow since the exit from the immigrations hall @ SFO dumps you streetside. Go out and have some beer and fun 
Apr 26, 2006, 9:38 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Programs: United/Star Alliance - 1K
Posts: 2,176
I've never transitioned from one foreign country to another through SFO and I think you might have to go through customs anyway -- the planes don't land at the int'l boarding areas, unless there's another way from arrivals to departures; I've never had to look. Customs is pretty quick at SFO and the int'l terminal is awesome. ^ 5 hours? You're fine. I've arrived for int'l flights one hour before departure w/o problem. The int'l terminal has an int'l food court by the check in areas you could meet your friend at.
Apr 26, 2006, 9:38 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Originally Posted by Axey
You're going to have to clear customs no matter what since you're transitting the US... There's really no other option. Once you pass immigration, you're in the US anyhow since the exit from the immigrations hall @ SFO dumps you streetside. Go out and have some beer and fun
Apr 26, 2006, 9:48 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SFO / SJC
Programs: United 1K MM, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 581
There are lots of bars and restauarants around SFO, so go out and have some fun! Every once in a while I even see uniformed flight attendants in nearby grocery stores (stocking up for long int'l flights?), so a quick jaunt out to nearby areas is very feasible.
I've never transited SFO as it's my own airport. Will you go through customs without claiming and rechecking baggage? If so, you could probably get back to the airport an hour before departure and you'll be fine, since you'll already have a boarding pass. If re-checking bags, I'd personally allow a little longer, but that's just me.
I've never transited SFO as it's my own airport. Will you go through customs without claiming and rechecking baggage? If so, you could probably get back to the airport an hour before departure and you'll be fine, since you'll already have a boarding pass. If re-checking bags, I'd personally allow a little longer, but that's just me.
Apr 26, 2006, 10:08 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Programs: UA MileagePlus, AAAdvantage, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 146
is that definate then? You have to go thru customs no matter what?
I've only once been in transit without stopping in the US, but that was back in 2000 and I have a stamp in my passport.......???
I've only once been in transit without stopping in the US, but that was back in 2000 and I have a stamp in my passport.......???
Apr 26, 2006, 10:15 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
Originally Posted by Sludge82
is that definate then? You have to go thru customs no matter what?
I've only once been in transit without stopping in the US, but that was back in 2000 and I have a stamp in my passport.......???
I've only once been in transit without stopping in the US, but that was back in 2000 and I have a stamp in my passport.......???
Apr 26, 2006, 10:25 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Originally Posted by Sludge82
is that definate then? You have to go thru customs no matter what?
Apr 26, 2006, 10:35 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K; F9 Summit
Posts: 2,077
Remember there are MANY countries where it's very hard to get a visa and you must obtain one just to TRANSIT that country.
I just got a Russian visa... not too bad, but a pain. I've heard that Chinese visas are harder (and that they require one to transit China).
I just got a Russian visa... not too bad, but a pain. I've heard that Chinese visas are harder (and that they require one to transit China).
Apr 26, 2006, 11:54 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Gold, peon everywhere else
Posts: 989
Originally Posted by goplaces
I've never transited SFO as it's my own airport. Will you go through customs without claiming and rechecking baggage? If so, you could probably get back to the airport an hour before departure and you'll be fine, since you'll already have a boarding pass. If re-checking bags, I'd personally allow a little longer, but that's just me.
I've never had any trouble with SFO international security -- I think getting back to SFO an hour before your flight will be plenty of time...
Definitely get out of the airport when you're here!
In fact, even if your friend ditches you, you should hop on BART and head into SF anyway (it's a quick hop-skip-and-jump (assuming you've dropped off your luggage; otherwise the skipping is a bit more difficult) from the International terminal)...
Dan
Apr 26, 2006, 12:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,758
Originally Posted by qasr
Yes, the US now requires all international transit pax to disembark and clear customs--no exceptions. Stupid policy, but it is what it is.
Apr 26, 2006, 1:35 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Originally Posted by qasr
Yes, the US now requires all international transit pax to disembark and clear customs--no exceptions. Stupid policy, but it is what it is.
The only airports that you don't seem to need to do this are aisian airports.
Apr 26, 2006, 1:45 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: WLG, New Zealand
Programs: UA LTG QF LTG/P1 NZ*E
Posts: 1,890
Originally Posted by Sludge82
He's offered to take me out for a beer/some food, but what are my chances (and will it be worth it) to get out of the airport and back in. I can't imagine customs would be too pleased with it....
any ideas/experience please?
any ideas/experience please?
Hi there
You would be wise to follow all the above sagely advice! I do this very same thing about three times per year. Yes you do need to clear custom and yes it it is well worth while getting out of the airport. Even if you were not being met the Bart will drop you in town and if you really need it, the travel agency will look after your bags for a fee
Customs will of course not bat an eyelid. Also, given you have an onward international flight you will have a lower chance of the dreaded SSSS
Jeff
Apr 26, 2006, 5:54 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Programs: UA MileagePlus, AAAdvantage, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 146
Originally Posted by jswong
.......Customs will of course not bat an eyelid. Also, given you have an onward international flight you will have a lower chance of the dreaded SSSS
Jeff
Jeff
SSSS????
