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

Flying into SFO and heading to South Bay with 2 young kids - avoid rental car?

Flying into SFO and heading to South Bay with 2 young kids - avoid rental car?

Old Jul 30, 2022, 1:56 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LHR, SEA, ZRH
Posts: 707
Question Flying into SFO and heading to South Bay with 2 young kids - avoid rental car?

Hi all
Flying from ZRH-SFO and doing some pre planning given flying with two kids (will be 1yr & 3 yrs old). We are visiting family in South Bay for 3+ weeks and don't intend on driving much, plus need to take a side trip to PHX so trying to avoid renting a car but can't work out the logistics.

Basically, when we land, there is no suitable public transport that will take us to Santa Clara - are there Uber/Lyft services I could pre book that has car seats? or something similar for families? In all other cities we usually take public transport or for example in London the black cabs work great. Not sure if there is such an option in the Bay Area?

Thanks in advance
MitzEclipse is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2022, 4:14 pm
  #2  
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,483
Originally Posted by MitzEclipse
Hi all
Flying from ZRH-SFO and doing some pre planning given flying with two kids (will be 1yr & 3 yrs old). We are visiting family in South Bay for 3+ weeks and don't intend on driving much, plus need to take a side trip to PHX so trying to avoid renting a car but can't work out the logistics.

Basically, when we land, there is no suitable public transport that will take us to Santa Clara - are there Uber/Lyft services I could pre book that has car seats? or something similar for families? In all other cities we usually take public transport or for example in London the black cabs work great. Not sure if there is such an option in the Bay Area?

Thanks in advance
There are several limousine and car services at SFO which provide car seats upon request. A quick Google search came up with Americana Limousine, Berry Airport Shuttles, Kid Car and ABC Shuttle Service. I am sure that there are additional options.
TWA884 is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2022, 4:58 pm
  #3  
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,820
Originally Posted by MitzEclipse
Basically, when we land, there is no suitable public transport that will take us to Santa Clara - are there Uber/Lyft services I could pre book that has car seats? or something similar for families? In all other cities we usually take public transport or for example in London the black cabs work great. Not sure if there is such an option in the Bay Area?
Not sure how you are defining "suitable" and/or if you have already considered this and rejected it (e.g. the timing might not work out if you have a late arrival), but from SFO you can take either an expensive BART ride one stop, or a cheaper "route SFO" bus on Samtrans, either of which shuttles you to the nearby Caltrain station, from which Caltrain has various stops between SF and San Jose, including Santa Clara.
Zorak is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2022, 8:33 pm
  #4  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
Originally Posted by TWA884
There are several limousine and car services at SFO which provide car seats upon request. A quick Google search came up with Americana Limousine, Berry Airport Shuttles, Kid Car and ABC Shuttle Service. I am sure that there are additional options.
Given the ages of the kids, this is what I would recommend. Arrange a sedan or limo in advance, and with appropriate car seats. I wouldn't attempt to navigate an unfamiliar public transit system right after such a long flight, and after immigration and customs. Maybe use Caltrain or BART later in your trip, but after you're settled in and not sleep-deprived.
mjm and MDtR-Chicago like this.
dhuey is offline  
Old Jul 31, 2022, 1:44 pm
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: LHR, SEA, ZRH
Posts: 707
Thank you all for the responses

TWA884 Thanks for the tips - actually didn't think about that - was so focused on taxi / ride sharing services. Really helpful and provides some options thanks
Zorak Suitable meaning that even if we were to head all the way to the last BART station Mlilbrae, we would still need to get from there to a house in Santa Clara - plus will just be such a pain with two small kids after a long haul
dhuey Thanks for the input

Separately, even if we do go down the private sedan/limo service, once we get to Santa Clara we'll still need a car to move around. I don't think there is anyway around renting a car with car seats unfortunately
MitzEclipse is offline  
Old Jul 31, 2022, 2:18 pm
  #6  
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,820
Originally Posted by MitzEclipse
Suitable meaning that even if we were to head all the way to the last BART station Mlilbrae, we would still need to get from there to a house in Santa Clara - plus will just be such a pain with two small kids after a long haul
Fair enough, and sure, navigating this with small children + luggage coming off a long haul is a valid concern, but just to clarify:

"all the way to the last BART station Millbrae" -- I may be guilty of over-parsing "all the way" but note that SFO is the second-to-last BART station in that direction, so it's only one stop and 5 minutes to get to Millbrae.

"we would still need to get from [Millbrae] to a house in Santa Clara" -- that was why I mentioned Caltrain, which operates a commuter rail service between Millbrae (Caltrain and BART use adjacent platforms there) and Santa Clara

having said all that, agreed that in your circumstances it may not be the best option.
Zorak is offline  
Old Jul 31, 2022, 3:40 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,574
A search came up with this, see link below:

SJC Airport to SFO Airport Shuttle | Monterey Airbus

Looks like the bus takes you from SFO-SJC. Santa Clara is not far (shorter Uber ride) SJC.

I have not taken this bus therefore have no experience with it.
allset2travel is offline  
Old Jul 31, 2022, 3:51 pm
  #8  
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,483
Originally Posted by allset2travel
A search came up with this, see link below:

SJC Airport to SFO Airport Shuttle | Monterey Airbus

Looks like the bus takes you from SFO-SJC. Santa Clara is not far (shorter Uber ride) SJC.

I have not taken this bus therefore have no experience with it.
The OP is looking for a transportation service where she can pre-book car seats.

Monterey Airbus requires all children younger than 8 to be securely buckled in car seats, however, they "are unable to provide car seats or booster seats and require all passengers to provide them for their children."
TWA884 is offline  
Old Aug 1, 2022, 9:23 pm
  #9  
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,424
Originally Posted by allset2travel
A search came up with this, see link below:

SJC Airport to SFO Airport Shuttle | Monterey Airbus

Looks like the bus takes you from SFO-SJC. Santa Clara is not far (shorter Uber ride) SJC.

I have not taken this bus therefore have no experience with it.
I have taken this shuttle. It's fine for a solo traveler but I would not take it with children. Too difficult to work out the logistics.
MDtR-Chicago 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.