Parking in San Francisco - Calling Locals

[1973911s]

Hi Guy's

Heading into the City for a few days with the family, and tired of paying the $40 bucks a day to park at the Hilton.

Would it be safe to park at a Bart Station and take the Bart in, we will be there two nights?

Any other options?

Thanks

[Spede]

That all depends if you value your car or not. Probably not that safe parking a car at a BART station overnight but then again I'm the paranoid type.

[K. Roman]

I wouldn't either. You could probably find overnite parking in the downtown cheaper than that tho.

[1973911s]

Thanks, I would hate to have to explain to the wife that her new car was stolen, cause I was trying to save a few bucks.

Michael

[pwd72s]

Dunno about San Francisco BART stations, but if you are looking to have your car broken into or stolen, the best place to park in Portland, Oregon is at a MAX (light rail) station close to a "nice" suburban neighborhood. Isn't mass transit a wonderful thing?

[cantdrv55]

What's it cost to take BART in?

[Spede]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
What's it cost to take BART in?

$5-10 depeding where you park. Definitely not worth it. Especially, if you have small children.

[vash]

i can help. but i need more info. BART parking is different at all the stations. for example, you can leave your car unlocked (probably) at the orinda station, but if you leave it at the fruitvale station in oakland, it better be a POS. are you staying outside of san fran and just hoping to bart in for city fun? if so, that will work depending on the bart station near your place of stay. i think that is a better option anyways, because in my opinion, most car crime happens here in san fran. plus driving to and fro with traffic is a betch. f i had to park in downtown, the sutter st garage is the cheapest and i think all day is $20.

[1973911s]

We are staying at the Hilton on Ferral Street, I think I spelled that wrong.

Michael

[Don Plumley]

O'Farrell Street?

You've got kids and luggage. $10 or $20 extra a day to have your car nearby seems like the wrong place to save money. This is the kind of stuff your kids will make fun of when they are older. "Remember how Dad used to drive for an extra 30 minutes to find cheaper parking?"

My Dad's favorite restaurant in SF is Scoma's. Why? Free Parking. It's the 2nd best restaurant city in the US, and he goes to one restaurant.

I can be extremely parsimonious (ask my kids), but when we go on vacation, I do my best not to wince when my daughter orders a $20 breakfast and eats three bites, or when the speedboat rental costs more than the house -- because family trips are the things that everyone will remember forever -- and I want them to remember the fun things, not how Dad was trying to save a couple of bucks. You'll never miss the extra $10. Have fun!

Just one frugal man's opinion...

[Danskman]

Have a friend who works for Volvo, and apparently the dealers in SF are having a problem with people dropping off their car for an oil change and leaving the car for 3-4 days. $39.95 for four days parking ain't bad, I guess.

[ckissick]

What vash said. The Sutter-Stockton garage is the cheapest, and probably as safe as any in the City. It's very close to Union Square and Chinatown.

[vash]

damn charlie. how is that devils slide hell treating you?

[id10t]

Whats that joke about the millionaire who leaves his porsche as colateral for a (small) loan at the bank, and considers the minimal interest as the best deal ever for secured parkign for a month...

[edgemar]

O'Farrel Street Garage is fairly reasonable. It is a block from Union Square.

[1973911s]

Thanks guys,

How is the San Fran Zoo, what other items do you recommend with a three year old?

Bay Tour?

[cantdrv55]

Golden Gate Park and the museums. Don't forget the Exploratorium.

[ckissick]

vash,

Devil's slide is not treating me well. A 9 mile, 15 minute drive to my daughter's school is now 1.5-2 hours. People are making adjustments, and this travel time should decrease. School is out this week.

As for fun things to do with a 3-year old, the Zoo is the number 1 choice.

Next is Pier 39, especially the carousel and the sea lions. There's also a small but nice aquarium there.

Weather permitting, the beach is always a hit with the toddler set.

Steinhart aquarium is awsome, but the usual location is closed for renovation; a temporary aquarium has been set up somewhere, but I don't know where.

The Exploratorium is a good bet.

[vash]

yeah , i just drove down the road, at the slide and it is hideous. i think they are going to dynamite some rocks this week. i wish i could snap a photo to put up next to hugh's ferry pic.

for kids, the exploratorium is cool. dads will like it too. i dont know if the seal lions are in town, but i have never seen a kid not like them. they will be at the wharf.

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by 1973911s
Thanks guys,

How is the San Fran Zoo, what other items do you recommend with a three year old?

Bay Tour?

An anti-smug dry suit, so your kid doesn't get a liberalitis.