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
Dec 13, 2006, 1:58 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,854
If you decide to follow the excellent suggestions above to go to SF, be sure to check the weather forecast (or look out the window on approach). We've just entered the winter storm season, so depending on when you get here, walking around outside might not be a pleasant experience. Then again, if you compare it ORD, you're probably still going to enjoy it 
Dec 13, 2006, 2:00 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,252
7 hour connection time, 2 hours for CBP and re-checking of your luggage gives you 5. take the BART downtown somewhere, you've got 2.5-3 hours, assuming you're not a man that likes to take chances with security lineups
RAOUL!!!
RAOUL!!!
Dec 13, 2006, 2:33 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott
Posts: 1,740
One can walk between clubs and wait in line in a nice t-shirt, whereas ORD you have to bundle up just to walk next door.I vote popping into the city if you don't catch an earlier flight. Even on a gloomy day SF is a lot of fun. Go ride a cable car! Pop over to Alcatraz (ok, that would probably cut things close)! Meet some of the nice local FTers!
Dunno why people are slamming on the SFO RCC, it has some of the nicest matrons (an undeserving name by association only), and it's not as if it's a Ritz at only $300/year. Certainly one of the nicest in the system.
Dec 13, 2006, 2:44 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 591
I certainly don't claim to be an expert on SF, but if you like rotisserie chicken, Mistral Rotisserie in the Ferry Building is wonderful. If the weather is good, you can eat outside and watch the ferries come and go.
Dec 13, 2006, 2:45 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
If you did want to use the RCC, for whatever reason, there is only one choice. The one in the domestic terminal.
Also, there is no RCC in NGO, and only a contracted lounge, where your pass would not be good anyway.
Also, there is no RCC in NGO, and only a contracted lounge, where your pass would not be good anyway.
Dec 13, 2006, 3:13 pm
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Dec 13, 2006, 3:18 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,572
I love Mistral! There's almost nothing better than potatoes roasted under the rotating chickens.
Dec 13, 2006, 3:27 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Programs: United/Star Alliance - 1K
Posts: 2,176
You can go to the Castro and watch them too!
Dec 13, 2006, 3:38 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,460
Dec 13, 2006, 3:43 pm
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Dec 13, 2006, 4:34 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: AA (PLT) / CO (because I fly non-stop SFO-CDG on Air France) / UA (sometimes)
Posts: 126
Definitely make your way into the city. SFO really isn't that far from downtown. Here a few suggestions when you're there:
1) SF MOMA: http://www.sfmoma.org/
2) De Young Museum (it's in Golden Gate Park, cab it or bus it from downtown): http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
3) Ferry Building: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/
4) Shopping? Union Square area;
5) Walk up to Coit tower for a beautiful view of the bay: http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
6) And if you're hardcore, rent a bike a cross the GG bridge: http://www.blazingsaddles.com/
1) SF MOMA: http://www.sfmoma.org/
2) De Young Museum (it's in Golden Gate Park, cab it or bus it from downtown): http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
3) Ferry Building: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/
4) Shopping? Union Square area;
5) Walk up to Coit tower for a beautiful view of the bay: http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
6) And if you're hardcore, rent a bike a cross the GG bridge: http://www.blazingsaddles.com/
Dec 13, 2006, 6:55 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
Yes, definitely the Ferry Building Marketplace. While you are there, pop into the Hyatt Regency Hotel and take in the Christmas ginger bread decorations.
When you are hungry and feel like having Italian, try the Umbria (2nd @ Mission), not far from the Hyatt. Skip Union Square unless you need to do some shopping.
When you are hungry and feel like having Italian, try the Umbria (2nd @ Mission), not far from the Hyatt. Skip Union Square unless you need to do some shopping.
Dec 14, 2006, 4:51 pm
#45
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
2) De Young Museum (it's in Golden Gate Park, cab it or bus it from downtown): http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
Last edited by mahasamatman; Dec 14, 2006 at 5:16 pm