3hearts

Good to know. There was a terrible review on Yelp about 60 people dumped at a bus stop at 3 a.m. all fighting for cabs and it taking hours to get to the hotel a few miles away.

dhuey

Relying on Amtrak for a long-distance journey seems like a very chancy proposition.

suranyi

It depends. I've taken the Coast Starlight to L.A. from the Bay Area for Thanksgiving week when I go down on Sunday and have nothing planned until Thursday. So who cares if it's late. It's still a lot more comfortable than economy on a plane.

returnoftheyeti

You might consider staying at the Waterfront Hotel in Jack London Square. Its right at the train stop. You will be able to get food, get right into a room. In the morning you can see some of Oakland if you wish. BART is a short walk, you can Uber, or even take a ferry into San Francisco.

my .02

dhuey

I totally forgot about that place! My wife and I were walking around there right before a Yoshi's performance. We were thinking that we would recommend the hotel to visitors. It looks like a decent place (nothing fancy), and it is right there at the ferry terminal. The ferry ride itself to S.F. is like a tourist attraction, and it takes you right to the ferry building throughout the day, and also to Pier 41 in the am: http://sanfranciscobayferry.com/route/alameda/sffb.

This would be ideal for the OP. Forget the Amtrak bus, taxi/Uber, etc. Walk off the train, go to the hotel, get some rest. Take the ferry into S.F. the next morning.

TWA884

It would appear that the OP is using points for his/her stay at the Fairmont:

returnoftheyeti

There is a ton of great restaurants right there as well. Take your pick, they are all great.

The Oakland Marriott is also walk-able (and safe) from Amtrak, BUT.... I can see how a family not from Oakland / SF would not want to walk it at night. It is pretty desolate and you have to walk under 880.

The Waterfront is spot on however...

Palal

I'd get off in SF (you'll get a nice view from the bus on the bay bridge) and take an uber to the hotel. Cable cars and luggage don't mix well.

seat38a

Here is my take as a frequent Amtrak traveler with Select Plus status. Book the bedroom but make sure you call Amtrak to do this. A bedroom used only for sitting can be booked with 4 people in it, but you can not do this online. Your going to have to book another roomette for the 5th person or you might even ask the Amtrak agent about the family bedroom and if they allow 5 people in sitting configuration.

Booking the rooms will get you 2 meals per person, lunch and dinner included up to San Francisco. I'm not sure if they are currently running the Pacific Parlor Car on the Coast Starlight, but if they are, then you also get exclusive access to it as a sleeping car passenger.

Book the Amtrak bus option, since the connection is guaranteed, or choose Emeryville since the station building is clean and modern and a better neighborhood than Oakland. Also, there are hotels right across the from the Emeryville station if needed. There is a pedestrian bridge to across into the parking lot of the hotel / shopping area.

ucdtim17

Eh Jack London station and Emeryville station are both pretty new and clean. Emeryville not an appreciably better neighborhood. Linden Street Brewing is moving right across the street from JLS Amtrak and will be opening this year - https://oaklandunitedbeerworks.com/. It'll be a nice place to kill time in the future I assume.

dhuey

Jack London Square is an SF Bay Area gem. I think Yoshi's (jazz) is its cultural center, but there are lots of other great music venues within a few blocks. Restaurants and bars galore. Maybe the best part is the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic mix. It roughly approximates the mix of those who live here.

Kacee

I live and work in Oakland. I would not make that walk at night nor call it safe. (And I work @11th and Broadway.)

ucdtim17

Well another data point as someone who lives and works in Oakland and happily makes that walk all the time day or night. It can be a little desolate but it's not unsafe as long as you have your standard city wits about you like you should in any city late at night. Lots of great bars and restaurants. Two new breweries opening up this year in the neighborhood (Federation & Oakland United Beerworks) in addition to wineries and a new pub at 4th and Webster ( ). Plus Blue Bottle, Chop Bar, Beer Rev, all the JLS restaurants, etc etc etc

Eastbay1K

I would walk it at night. I wouldn't recommend a family of 5 with luggage who is unfamiliar with the area walk it at night.

ucdtim17

Agreed