No, no, no. (He said sternly.)
Take a cab.
The BART fares just went up. I would BART it myself but you'll pay like $5-6 (or more) each to BART into SF .. THEN you'll still need to ride a MUNI bus ($1 each) or take the MUNI streetcars ($1 each). The waiting for a BART train then the bus or streetcar will take another 30 minutes. The whole deal could take about 1-2 hours, since you wouldn't do it as quickly as I/we would. (A cab from BART would be $15 at least IF you get one on a Saturday on Market Street.) A cab from the airport will be @$40-50 (includes a tip) and take 45 minutes or less. No hassles with luggage, asking directions, finding the right corners to wait on, etc. You don't have a lot of time!
Have the cabbie take:
101 North out of aitport.
101 to Interstate 280 North
Exit 280 at 6th street
6th Street crosses Market street and bear immediatly R onto Taylor Street. Taylor is a timed-lights one way that will zip you over to F.Wharf.
Mapquest this to see what I mean.
BTW, that is also the route with the most stunning views. When you crest the rise on 280, SF will be laid out in front of you. Then the ride up and over Nob Hill on Taylor will be just like the TV and movies you've seen with steep SF hills!
The Courtyard Marriott is newest FW hotel and also one of the cheapest. Clean and smack dab in the middle of F Wharf.
They are so right about the crabs. When walking down to the FW area, bear LEFT and go to the local fish and crab shacks on the water. NOTE: This is opposite and away from the touristy Pier 39 which I do not visit but my out-of-town cousins love. The Hyde Street Pier is right there just past the eatin' shacks and is a floating (old ships) National Park. Worth the admission.
Please, please, please search Alcatraz online (I think you have to call to book, tho) and book yourself for the NIGHTTIME tour. If you don't book ANY tour ahead of time there is a good chance it will be sold out. Do ASAP. Alcatraz afterdark is unbelievably breathtaking and the tours are otherwise identical.
Lastly, if you post in the San Francisco forum, you will get a lot of good suggestions. (Though not as good as mine, probably. Hahaha.
) The SF forum is a busy place.
HAVE FUN!
Joe
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Just trying to keep up with the gals in the trailer park next door.
[This message has been edited by GoodKarmaGuy (edited 06-09-2003).]