Event Planning Guide
San Francisco
Public Transportation
Because of its maze of curvy, hilly streets, along with costly parking, San Francisco can be tricky to navigate by car, but thankfully downtown is fairly walkable and offers multiple public transit options. Plus, the Bay Area is serviced by three international airports: San Francisco, Oakland, and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose, making it a convenient location for domestic and international attendees.
Airport Information
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Located 14 miles south of the city, San Francisco International (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 50 international destinations within Asia, Latin America, and Europe on more than 40 international carriers. (Note: United Airlines is the leading carrier into SFO.) From here, you can reach downtown San Francisco via BART; just hop the AirTrain to get to the BART stop in international Terminal G. Buses, ride-sharing services and taxis, and shuttles are also available.
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Located about an hour south of San Francisco, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (SJC) in Silicon Valley is more popular among area residents than tourists.
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Known for handling more discount carriers than SFO, Oakland International (OAK) is a major hub for Southwest Airlines. Located across from San Francisco on the other side of the bay, the airport provides service to domestic destinations, as well as Mexico and Scandinavia.
Public Transportation
Walking: Despite its steep hills, San Francisco is ranked one of the top walking cities in the U.S., thanks to its compact neighborhoods. But be prepared for a bit of a workout. You’ll find hillside stairs scattered throughout the city to help you manage the steeper streets.
Bus: Like the city’s rail system, bus routes run throughout San Francisco. Look for stops that are indicated by a shelter, yellow paint on a sign post, or white paint on the street. Keep in mind, buses are often slow due to frequent stops and can be crowded, especially during rush hour.
Rail: Known as the Muni Metro, this is the city’s light rail and subway system that runs on rails and sometimes goes underground. Stops can be found on an island in the middle of the street and in underground stations. The city’s regional metro, BART, has eight stations in San Francisco and will take you across the bay to Berkeley and Oakland, as well as to San Francisco and Oakland airports. A pre-loaded Clipper Card gives you access to BART, Muni buses, Muni Metro, and the cable cars.
