San Francisco

[broncorckcrwlr]

We will be flying into San Francisco for an Alaskan Cruise. I have never been to SF so I have no idea where the cruise port is in relation to the airport. Looking for some help from experienced cruisers. Also any suggestions as to motels etc appreciated.

[Philob]

Airport to the city is about 15 miles or about a 20 minute drive until you hit traffic either on the highway, street or both. 

 

Hotels/Motels in the city are in the $200+ a night range, cheaper accommodations will be by the airport in Millbrae, Burlingame, or South San Francisco (Oyster Point area).

 

Look around at West Coast Departures forum for recommendations:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/315-west-coast-departures/

[Flatbush Flyer]

44 minutes ago, broncorckcrwlr said:

We will be flying into San Francisco for an Alaskan Cruise. I have never been to SF so I have no idea where the cruise port is in relation to the airport. Looking for some help from experienced cruisers. Also any suggestions as to motels etc appreciated.

The cruise terminal is conveniently located right on the SF Embarcadero (major street fronting the Bay). Many excellent hotels (and restaurants) in the area. 
Unless traffic is bad (e.g., rush hour), SFO is less than 30 minutes away.

I highly recommend Marin Luxury Limo for private transfer.  http://marinluxurylimo.com

[CruiserBruce]

A simple Google Map search for "San Francisco Cruise Terminal" will give you a great starting point. And looking over at the West Coast Departures board will give you lots info about transport, hotels, etc.

[Host Kat]

4 hours ago, broncorckcrwlr said:

We will be flying into San Francisco for an Alaskan Cruise. I have never been to SF so I have no idea where the cruise port is in relation to the airport. Looking for some help from experienced cruisers. Also any suggestions as to motels etc appreciated.

 

Howdy @broncorckcrwlr

 

Thank you for your new thread on the Ask a Cruise Question forum! However, it is the forum for general questions regarding cruising. Your inquiry concerns a specific port and is off topic there.

 

To help you out I have moved your thread to the West Coast Departures forum where it will be on topic. The majority of your fellow Cruise Critic members that are locals or have been there frequent this forum and can provide feedback here. Browse through the thread titles on this forum looking for threads of interest. You may find your fellow Cruise Critic members have already posted questions and received answers that will be of interest to you.

 

I suggest you use the Follow feature on this thread or any other thread where you are interested in the new replies. That way you will not have to go looking to see if there are new replies on your Followed threads because they will come looking for you as notifications! If you need more info on how to do it, please click the following: How to: Follow Topics & Forums (Subscribed Threads/Forums Info)

 

Hope this will be helpful and glad to have you aboard the Cruise Critic message boards!

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat 

 

[KeepCalmBearOn]

9 hours ago, broncorckcrwlr said:

We will be flying into San Francisco for an Alaskan Cruise. I have never been to SF so I have no idea where the cruise port is in relation to the airport. Looking for some help from experienced cruisers. Also any suggestions as to motels etc appreciated.

 

The airport is on the east side of San Francisco, across the peninsula from the cruise terminal. I'd Uber into the City.

 

It always helps to know your budget for a hotel. In the City I'd look at the Columbus Motor Inn.

[CruiserBruce]

4 minutes ago, scottca075 said:

 

The airport is on the east side of San Francisco, across the peninsula from the cruise terminal. I'd Uber into the City.

 

It always helps to know your budget for a hotel. In the City I'd look at the Columbus Motor Inn.

"Across the peninsula"? The airport and the port are both on the same eastern side of the peninsula. The cruise terminal is towards the tip of the peninsula. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, scottca075 said:

 

The airport is on the east side of San Francisco, across the peninsula from the cruise terminal. I'd Uber into the City.

 

It always helps to know your budget for a hotel. In the City I'd look at the Columbus Motor Inn.

Negative on the Uber. They are not allowed to pick up at the baggage area. Apparently, there’s a spot in the garage.

Get a private transfer. AND get a good hotel (e.g., Marriott Marquis or Intercontinental. Unless there’s some monster convention in town, you should be able to get a room for under $250/night.

 

[KeepCalmBearOn]

8 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Negative on the Uber. They are not allowed to pick up at the baggage area. Apparently, there’s a spot in the garage.

 

Uber is very easy to use. If it is a standard Uber, you just use the walkway for the designated pick-up spot. Each terminal has its own. If you want curbside pick-up, you use Uber Black.

 

8 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Get a private transfer. AND get a good hotel (e.g., Marriott Marquis or Intercontinental. Unless there’s some monster convention in town, you should be able to get a room for under $250/night.

 

We don't know the OP's budget, but since they asked for "motels", 4* hotels might not be the best, nor is either near the terminal. Both the Intercontinental and Marriott Marquis run around $350 before fees in late Spring and Summer.

[Philob]

9 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Negative on the Uber. They are not allowed to pick up at the baggage area. Apparently, there’s a spot in the garage.

Roof top level of the domestic short-term garage. No idea where for the International Terminal. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

5 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

Uber is very easy to use. If it is a standard Uber, you just use the walkway for the designated pick-up spot. Each terminal has its own. If you want curbside pick-up, you use Uber Black.

 

 

We don't know the OP's budget, but since they asked for "motels", 4* hotels might not be the best, nor is either near the terminal. Both the Intercontinental and Marriott Marquis run around $350 before fees in late Spring and Summer.

If you’re doing a major cruise from SF and have two checked bags plus one or two rollaboards, a standard Uber will usually not have the luggage space you need.

[txjim09]

3 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

If you’re doing a major cruise from SF and have two checked bags plus one or two rollaboards, a standard Uber will usually not have the luggage space you need.

We've had 4 adults +luggage for a 15 night cruise out of SFO in a Lyft XL without issue.  A bit more expensive than a standard ride but cheaper than an Uber black (or Lyft equiv).  The walk to the shared ride pickup area was no different than walking to your parked car from an airport terminal.

Edited February 18, 2023 by txjim09

[KeepCalmBearOn]

11 hours ago, Philob said:

Roof top level of the domestic short-term garage. No idea where for the International Terminal. 

 

It is three spots on the top level of the short-term garage. Each terminal (1, 2, 3) has their own spot.

 

International terminal pick-up is at the 2nd curb on the 3rd level.