SFO or SJC
Nov 8, 2016 | 5:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 109
SFO or SJC
bumping an old thread, having to fly IAH to either SFO or SJC destination is Concord, so North East close to Martinez.
Oakland is out as I am trying to stay on United, which airport (SFO or SJC) do you recommend, will rent a car and drive to Concord.
Thanks!
Oakland is out as I am trying to stay on United, which airport (SFO or SJC) do you recommend, will rent a car and drive to Concord.
Thanks!
Nov 9, 2016 | 7:30 am
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,111
You don't say what time of day. That can make an extreme difference.
At "rush" hour, your travel from SJC to Martinez could take as long or longer than Sacramento to Martinez and be a very unpleasant drive.
But then there have been plenty of times that SFO to Martinez also would have taken that long.
I second the notion that you explore SMF, but if it MUST be SJC or SFO, I would choose SFO by a small margin.
At "rush" hour, your travel from SJC to Martinez could take as long or longer than Sacramento to Martinez and be a very unpleasant drive.
But then there have been plenty of times that SFO to Martinez also would have taken that long.
I second the notion that you explore SMF, but if it MUST be SJC or SFO, I would choose SFO by a small margin.
Nov 9, 2016 | 1:46 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,597
If you will be starting your drive from SFO on a weekday after 2pm (the latest), SJC is probably an equal option, because from SFO you would be better off backtracking down to the San Mateo Bridge after that time.
SMF is a good option, albeit a longer drive, and depending on your return time, 80 East is no picnic.
SMF is a good option, albeit a longer drive, and depending on your return time, 80 East is no picnic.
Nov 9, 2016 | 5:56 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 60,710
For example, according to Google Maps, right now (5 pm local time) SJC to Concord is 1hr50min. From SMF it is 1hr23min.
But...I'm not seeing any nonstops IAD-SMF. I don't think it's worth adding a connection.
Nov 9, 2016 | 10:38 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,597
Nov 10, 2016 | 2:15 pm
#10
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 18,252
Another option is to rent the car in Concord or Walnut Creek. Then you can avoid the hassle of driving through traffic by taking BART to and from SFO. Rental should be cheaper too as you avoid airport surcharges.
Nov 10, 2016 | 2:26 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,597
Yes, but you've got (1) a BART ticket purchase (which is over $11), (2) a wait for BART of anywhere up to 15 minutes, (3) a BART ride of approximately 1:15, and (4) getting to the car rental, which isn't right at the station. So you're nearing 2+ hours to get from the SFO Bart Entrance just to get to CCR and pick up a car.
Nov 10, 2016 | 4:34 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 60,710
Yes, but you've got (1) a BART ticket purchase (which is over $11), (2) a wait for BART of anywhere up to 15 minutes, (3) a BART ride of approximately 1:15, and (4) getting to the car rental, which isn't right at the station. So you're nearing 2+ hours to get from the SFO Bart Entrance just to get to CCR and pick up a car.
Nov 11, 2016 | 9:08 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
Enterprise -
1) 1790 Concord Ave - Concord
2) 2550 Monument Ave - Concord
3) 3679 N. Main - Walnut Creek
Nov 11, 2016 | 10:16 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,597
AM weekday flight into SFO, get in by noon, drive to CCR in under an hour. Done.
Nov 11, 2016 | 11:23 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
I wasn't suggesting taking BART - just responding to the comment that there weren't any car rental offices in the Concord/Walnut Creek area convenient to BART.