A perfect San Francisco layover

13.09.2024 - 19:58 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 13, 2024 • 12 min read

San Francisco is a small city on a seven-by-seven mile grid, which means it’s easy to see a lot of it in a short amount of time.

Visitors can make it from the historic Ferry Building on the Eastside waterfront to a magnificent sunset at Ocean Beach on the west side in a day, experiencing the culture, food and character of major neighborhoods along the way. If you want a more leisurely layover, focus on just a couple parts of the city, perhaps sticking to the greatest hits for first-time visitors. Skip Alcatraz and Angel Island on a layover, though, due to the amount of time they take to visit. 

Fortunately, SFO is close to San Francisco proper, and affordable transportation options abound. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains on the Yellow Line run directly from SFO to various parts of the Bay Area. While the SFO BART station, located outside the International Terminal (G), is walkable from Terminals 1 and 3, the free AirTrain from all terminals is also an option. A BART ride to Powell station in downtown’s Union Square only takes 30 minutes, for a one-way fare of $8.95. Rideshares like Lyft or Uber, and taxis, cost about $25 and up to get to SF.

SFO offers luggage storage in the International Terminal at the Airport Travel Agency, and charges anywhere from $7 per hour to $60 per day depending on luggage size. Allow 30 minutes for the process; the office is open 6am-11pm. Bounce, a cheaper storage option, has stations near SFO and in the city, though you'll have to factor in additional time for drop-off and pick-up. If opting for airport luggage storage, pack a change of clothing in a day pack if you don't want to return to the airport until your flight.

SFO has a few nap rooms in the International Terminal to rent for a few hours or overnight, but for the price, opt for a hotel depending on how much sleep is a priority. While downtown SF is quieter now that many people work remotely, the Union Square area is still a good home base for a 24-hour layover, as it offers many accommodation options, proximity to public transit, and walking distance to classic SF visitor destinations like Chinatown and North Beach. Budget travelers should consider hostels like the reputable Hostelling International Downtown SF Hostel, which also offers private rooms. Newly opened or renovated hotels include the Beacon Grand (formerly The Sir Francis Drake), St. Regis or the hip boutique LINE hotel.

Use a combination of BART and SF-only public transit system MUNI to get around SF, loading funds on a digital Clipper Card on your smartphone (or physical card) that works across public transit platforms, including the ferry and cable cars. A 1-Day Visitor Passport loaded onto your Clipper costs $13 and