Parking for Alcatraz
 

Hi,
I was wondering where the cheapest place to park our car (Near pier 39 or 41) if we want to visit Alcatraz next Saturday.
Thanks!

There's a large parking structure down there. Don't know the rates. Cheapest might be to find free street parking and take a $6 cab ride to the pier.

Really just wanted to suggest you buy your tickets for Alcatraz in advance. They sell out early, especially on the weekends. It's an interesting tour, much more so than I expected.



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lili,
shopping her way to first

A lot of the lots right down there offer you an hour or two of free parking if you eat in any of the outdoor restaurants there with the cracked crabs. Since I really enjoy a crab when I'm there, I always make sure I get one, get the ticket stamped and get the free two hours or whatever it is.

Parking in that area isn't all that much anyways (at least not by New York Standards), certainly not worth driving around to dave a dollar or two.

Consider public transit. The bay area has one of the best systems in the country. I believe that there are some trolley cars (not the famous cable cars) that go past the area you want to reach. Go to their web site: www.bart.gov --I recall they will help you route your trip on-line, and are good about responding to e-mails.

JP

Agree. An even more interesting online planning tool is now available at
http://www.transitinfo.org/cgi-bin/taketransit
it will route you on public transit from point A to point B in several different ways (shortest trip, cheapest, least walking, etc.)

About street parking....I used to live in that area, almost the bottom of Telegraph Hill, and my father still does...street parking spaces nearby are pretty nonexistent, and are limited to 2 hours Monday through Saturday for those without a resident's permit. Further away, say by Washington Square, street parking is by meters which will not give you enough time.

Thanks for the replies...we are staying at the Airport Hyatt Regency. What about this? We are renting a car, too.
Thanks so very much. (I know NOTHING about the area....)

Something which might work is parking at Colma or Daly City BART, which should have plenty of parking spaces on the weekend, and taking BART right to the cable car turnaround at the Powell Street station, and start your City tour from there. You can buy a daily pass for cable cars and buses (think it's $6). Colma BART to Powell Street BART is $2.25 each way (will go a lot quicker if you bring exact change along).

This is exactly right. I stayed at an airport hotel a year or two ago, and the Colma Bart was the way to go.

You are marooned at the airport hotels without a car. Cab fare down to the piers is like $50.

I see that Bart is starting a new schedule this week, anticipating startup of the airport station next January (or later). Be sure if you get information on line or elsewhere, it reflects the new schedules.

Incidentally, one of the best meals we had near the hotel was at a nearby mexican place, I think El Torito. It's on a road that parallels the water. They had a Sunday buffet that was very good, and went beyond the typical brand-name fare.

JP

You can find out all about SF parking lots here:
www.parkingquest.com

[This message has been edited by RK7 (edited 09-10-2002).]

A little off topic, but if you can go to Alcatrez, Muir Woods and similar attractions during the week, the crowds/lines/wait times are significantly reduced. If you can forego the car, buy a 7 day pass for public transportation.

Don't forget to say hello to the pinnipeds!! (Sea lions at Pier 39.)

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

Off Topic:

Pinniped, I've been meaning to tell you how much I love your username!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif