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In our last article, we discussed how visitors can reach San Francisco by plane (and then train, taxi, or shuttle). In this post, let’s take a look at traveling to S.F. via three other modes of transportation: car, train, or ferry.
By Car
If traveling by car, you can exit to San Francisco from the East (I-80), the South (Highway 101), or the coast (from the Golden Gate Bridge). The state’s main interstate, I-5, can take you from Los Angeles and San Diego to the East Bay, at which point, you can switch over to I-80 and ride into the city via the Bay Bridge.
Gas prices and green consciousness are major factors these days in deciding whether or not driving is the best option; but for some travelers, it remains the most reasonable. Should you decide to take a road trip, make the most of it. A trip from Los Angeles for instance, will provide a number of sights-to-see along the way.
Note: Tolls are currently $6 for the Golden Gate Bridge and $4 for all other Bay Area bridges, including the Carquinez Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and the Benicia-Martinez Bridge.
By Train
By train, you primarily have a choice between Amtrak and Greyhound. With Amtrak, you’ll arrive in the East Bay and from there, take the Amtrak bus into town. From the Ferry Building or CalTrain station, it’s just one more ride to your hotel, either by taxi or street car.
If you don’t have many bags to carry, the transfers shouldn’t be too difficult. However, just make sure you know the schedules beforehand. As for Greyhound, it goes directly into the city: to the Transbay Terminal, where you’ll be able to catch a bus to your hotel.
Price-wise, an Amtrak train from Los Angeles’ Union Station to Emeryville will cost $105 there and back. However, if you’re traveling from Los Angeles, you may also consider the California Shuttle Bus, a “dependable alternative.” This bus takes passengers from four points in Los Angeles to/from four points in San Francisco. Price-wise, fares average $85 round-trip.
By Ferry
And finally, you can reach San Francisco by ferry. Given the city's rich maritime history, it’s nice to know the tradition of water transportation carries on. The Ferry Building remains a destination point for travelers, both local and far.
From the East Bay, Marin, and Vallejo, you can easily take a ferry into the city. Commuters rely on the service throughout the week and in recent months, ferries have become even more popular, as folks try to avoid driving. (A similar trend has been seen with BART ridership.)
For travelers, if you’re taking the ferry, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the schedules and different providers — to better plan your trip to San Francisco and return trip home.
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