I decided I would head into town and wander for a bit rather than stopping at SFO. I really wanted a shower and sit down, so thought I would try my luck at the Hilton San Francisco, being a Diamond HHonors member. I had phoned the airport one but to have a room past 18:00, meant that they wanted to charge me over $350! Initially the agent said that I could have one until 19:30 for $180 plus taxes – a bit of negiotating ensued and I managed to get it for under $100 including taxes. And an upgraded room for being Diamond (with points and nights stay credits as well). After a shower, I had a nice wander around San Fran before heading out to the airport.
Security was quick and then I had a wander around the terminal – quite a few shops and several cafes/bars. I settled into one of the bars, but decided on just a diet coke – by now I had been up and about for getting on for 24 hours! The flight was late leaving – about 20 minutes or so. The plane was a Canadair CRJ-700, which seems really small and low to the ground when you are taxiing around San Fran past all the big planes. There was a run of complimentary soft drinks and a paid-for bar. During the flight down there was some breaks in the cloud, meaning that I could catch a glimpse of the desert and the towns as we headed down, before the glow of Palm Springs appeared with some mountains behind it. Overall, a pleasant and shortish flight, and we arrived about 10 minute late and just after midnight!
The airport for those who have not been is pretty much open air, and it was still warm even at that time of night! Luggage seemed to take a while to come off – most people drop bags at the gate as there is limited luggage space on board, grab on leaving the plane and head out the airport. I then had a 40 minute cab ride to San Quinta where the conference was being held.
San Fran is a city that is great to have a wander around...good work on the Hilton as well 
