Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arriving by Train
The national passenger rail
network,
Amtrak
, links most
major US cities. It also connects
with bus, ferry, and air carriers
and operates a joint service
across the border with Rail
Canada. All long-distance trains
offer sleeping quarters and full
refreshment facilities. Often
there is a sightseeing lounge
with large windows allowing
good views of the passing land-
scape. Unfortunately, some of
the trains are quite dated and
long-distance routes are often
delayed. However, if you have
time, traveling by train is a
great way to see parts of the
country you would not
otherwise experience.
Passengers are required to
reserve seats in advance on
many services. Advance
booking is recommended for all
travel during peak periods.
Amtrak offers a varied program
of special discounts and
packages, including 15- and
30-day passes allowing
unlimited travel within specified
zones. Ask your travel agent
for details.
Visitors traveling to San
Francisco by train will arrive at
Amtrak's station in Emeryville, to
the north of Oakland. The
station is in an industrial area, so
most passengers continue their
journeys as soon as possible.
Amtrak runs a free shuttle to the
city center. The ride takes
approximately 45 minutes and
terminates at the Ferry Building
(see p114)
. From here, you can
then take ferries, buses, BART
trains, and streetcars
(see pp282-
3)
to other parts of the city.
Amtrak passengers arriving at
San José can transfer via the
CalTrain
commuter rail system
to San Francisco. A separate
ticket ($9 one way) is required
for this trip and must be
purchased at the vending
machine located on the
platform. Most shuttle buses
from Oakland also stop at San
Francisco's CalTrain station,
which is located on the
corner of Fourth Street and
Townsend Street.
joining at Yerba Buena Island, and
its highway runs alongside the
skyscrapers of the Financial
District. The first two exits take
you to the city center. Arriving
from the south via the peninsula,
you can choose to follow either
US 101 or 280 into the city. Both
routes are well marked, and there
are no tolls on the roads.
Driving in the States is on the
right-hand side of the road. Red
stop lights and stop signs are
compulsory stops. More useful
tips for driving in San Francisco
can be found on page 288.
Arriving by Car
You will get a spectacular
introduction to the city by
driving over Golden Gate Bridge
or Bay Bridge. Both are toll
bridges, but the toll ($6 for
Golden Gate Bridge and
between $4 and $6 for Bay
Bridge depending on the time
and day) is charged only one
way. If your route is from the
north via US 101, the Golden
Gate Bridge toll will be collected
as you enter the city. To get into
the city center from Golden
Gate Bridge, follow the US 101
signs to Lombard Street and Van
Ness Avenue.
Approaching the city from the
east via I-80 through Oakland, the
Bay Bridge toll is again collected
only on the approach to San
Francisco. This bridge has two
main sections
(see pp166-7)
,
One-way toll system operating on
Bay Bridge
Arriving by Long-
Distance Bus
Regular services operated by
Greyhound Bus Line
reach
most parts of the United States.
The buses are modern and
clean, and include wireless
Internet and electrical outlets.
Ask at Greyhound ticket
counters in bus stations or
look online for special rates.
The average 8-hour San
Francisco-Los Angeles adult
fare is $59 (one-way), and
discounts are usually offered
for online purchases, 14-day
advance purchases, students,
seniors, and children.
International travelers can
purchase tickets online and
have them waiting at the
Will Call counter of the
appropriate bus station. If you
are planning to make several
stops along the way, or if you
want to tour the country on
an extended trip, there may
be a package designed to
suit your requirements.
Green Tortoise
offers an
inexpensive and sometimes
adventurous way to travel by
bus, but it is not for everyone.
Facilities and stops are very
limited, so passengers have
Amtrak train on the tracks at Emeryville station, near Oakland
