Getting Around San Francisco

Easy to Get Around

SFO Airport is connected directly to downtown San Francisco by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. The fare is ~$8.95, and you can buy a voucher in advance.  Use this link to see a map of where the BART station is at the airport. 

The closest BART stop to the Marriott Marquis and nearby hotels is Powell Street Station (link has a neighborhood map). Take the escalators or stairs to the street level. Do not exit through the mall unless you wish to do some shopping! The Marriott is a block or so away, depending on the exit you choose, on well traveled streets. The Marriott entrance closest to the BART station is on 4th Street, which intersects Market St.

Once attendees arrive, they will find San Francisco is one of the top walking cities in the United States. You can download our quick guide to getting to WCSJ2017 from SFO.

Get around like a local: Don’t drive unless you have to. Parking is difficult and expensive, and much of the Bay Area is served by public transport. To get around San Francisco and the Bay—by any mode of travel —visit 511.org. This service pulls together Bay Area transportation information in one place, with up-to-date information on traffic conditions, schedules, routes, and fare information. It also offers bicycling information, route planning, and more. 

Accessibility: Access San Francisco is an excellent guide for any traveler and covers accessibility and services provided around the city and its attractions. From transit to tours to handy indicators of public restrooms, the guide is packed with useful information. It can be downloaded as PDF or viewed online.

Need to find a hospital, pharmacy, or consulate? Visit our Useful Info section.

Gateway to Nature

San Francisco is at the heart of spectacular natural areas and beautiful parks that harbor a rich natural heritage and biodiversity. Foremost among them is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the most visited National Park in the United States, with more than 15 million visitors per year. Within its 80,002 acres (32,376 ha) are 19 separate ecosystems containing 1,273 plant and animal species. More than half of the bird species of North America and nearly one third of California’s plant species are found here.

There are also 700 historic buildings (five are National Historic Landmarks), including one of the country’s largest collections of military installations and fortifications. There are more than 60 recorded archeological sites on the grounds, including sites from the Spanish and Mexican periods. The park’s collection contains over three million historic objects, documents, images, and specimens.


Gateway to the West

San Francisco is just a short distance away from many popular destinations.

about-flying

Flight times from San Francisco

about-driving

Driving times from San Francisco