I will be having 7 hour stopover in SFO. I would like to go to the Pier 39 or Fisherman Wharf for a few hours tour. How am I going to take the BART(Bay Area Rapid Transit) from the airport to Pier 39? What are the must-see attraction in SFO?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=San+Francisco+Int'l+ Airport+(San+Francisco+Int'l+Airport)&daddr=pier+3 9&mra=cc&dirflg=r&sll=37.71131,-122.399075&sspn=0.342219,0.75325&ie=UTF8&ll=37.556 554,-122.383575&spn=0.685866,1.5065&z=10&start=0

Since the question is about getting in and out of San Francisco from the SFO airport, rather than about JAL or its mileage program, I'll move this to the San Francisco forum.

Best,
Gary
aka gleff
Senior Moderator

To answer your first question, take Bart to either (1) Powell street and then hop a Hyde Street Cable Car (might be a long wait) or (2) Bart to Embarcadero and transfer to the F Market streetcar to the warf.

To answer your second question, the warf and Pier 39 are not must see attractions. They are crummy contrived neighborhoods with tacky t-shirt stores that exist at every other tourist trap in the US. If I had seven hours to kill, I would probably take Bart in to Embarcadero and hang out in the Ferry Building for a an hour or two, including lunch. If you can make the ferry schedule work, a ferry ride over to Sausalito would be a great way to see the GG Bridge and the City from the water (might be tight with just seven hours, though). Alcatraz, while touristy, is also a worthwhile trip.

and walk over to Chinatown area; BART to Embarcadero and The F Train to Fishermans Wharf as another poster has suggested - FW is tacky but the streetcar ride is very pleasant on the antique streetcars; or get off at Powell Street and take the 38 Geary or 2 Clement Bus to Japan town.

Depending on your finances, there are several limo companies who will pick you up at SFO and do a driving tour of SF.
http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/tofro...imo/index.html

Depending on whether you are flying domestic or int'l, you may have way less than 7 hours....

Ask again if you need more specifics.

^

I second the suggestion about the ferry building. If you like fine food at all, that's the place to be.

Coit tower has great view of the city and you can get up there either with a bus or if you feel like it you can walk up there.

You probably won't have time to make it up to golden gate park but if you have some time in the future do make it by.

If you like museums SF MOMA is easily accessible from downtown.

North beach is a charming area, I agree with the comments on staying away from Pier 39 and wharf areas. They are not true SF.

Good luck and have fun!

Trip Planner