Flying to SFO 9th april, what to expect + tips

I'm off to SFO on April the 9th thanks to a good deal with my miles, and my 18th birthday.
This is my first LHR and SFO trip, and would like to know some tips. I'm aware that V:port is on offer, but can anyone fill me in on what meals are currently being served to Y passengers?
Also, can anyone tell em how easy it is to change for a BART train at SFO airport. it'd be of great use. Also, finally anyone got nay must see tips for me to add to my itinerary?
Your helps always appreciated.

kev.

[mcmbenjamin]

BART: BART leaves from the international terminal so no issue. The machines take credit cards (IIRC not AmEx) and Mastro plus American debit card systems. Take about 40 minutes SFO to downtown. Nice ride.

HI, yeh sanfran is always vport so thats a good start. Everything is free on board and on a sanfran you get a bar service, lunch with wine or soft drinks, icecream, oj& water, hot pannini, oj&water then afternoon tea which is a sandwich with a bag of fruit and tea/coffee. Make sure someone tells the crew its your 18th...some free champaigne may find its way to you!! Full bar available all flight on request by finding one of us, pressing the call bell, or visiting the galley (the preffered method!) Have a great flight and youl be there before you know it!

lunch with wine or soft drinks, icecream, oj& water, hot pannini, oj&water then afternoon tea which is a sandwich with a bag of fruit

Thanks for the advice so far, out of curiosity, does this mean there's technically 3 meal services, or am I misreading things as I usually do.

Kev.

Originally posted by JoeyVS
Everything is free on board and on a sanfran you get a bar service, lunch with wine or soft drinks, icecream, oj& water, hot pannini, oj&water then afternoon tea which is a sandwich with a bag of fruit and tea/coffee.

That is quite a bit of food for Y! Wonder what UC get then? [:?]

Have a great flight Kev! SFO is a great place.

Yeh 3 meal services on all west coast & far east flights... pax always say that all they so is eat! quite good service for Y i thinks. Your best to sit near front or very back of Y as then you get served first and therefore your first choice of meal!

This ain't to do with Virgin, but in San Francisco, the Greyline (I think that's right) tours are fantastic for first time visitors! We had a really really great guide called Ken, and the whole tour was just super all round. [^]

Cool. This advice is all great. Im currently reserved into the 2nd from last row of seats (where there's just 2 seats) and will be on the left side of the plane. Hoping to get some good views.
All tips and other information about SFO are welcomed, I know many of you here love to visit SFO.


Kev.

Alcatraz is a must, and watch out for the bush man, he (used) to be just off Pier 39, he sits on a crate with some bushes, and jumps out on people! [^][^] I stood there watching him for ages! It is SO fun! Depends on how long you are there for, if you can get to Yosemite, then it is well worth it! Words can not describe how beautiful it is [y]

Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
Alcatraz is a must

Agreed - but try to book first. I think Greyline do a package, but if you'd rather DIY, advance booking is a must.

SF is a great place to walk, but do a trolleybus ride...

Paul

Re Alcatraz: get your tix as early as possible upon arrival! You probably will NOT get tix for the same day. Don't wait until the end of your stay or you will certainly be disappointed. A good concierge might help you here if you are short on time - if you have one at your hotel, you might check with him or her.

Make sure you carry a jacket, even though you might think there is no need - the breeze blowing off the water can chill you to the bone, and SF weather can change in the blink of an eye! If the Park Service hasn't changed the regs, you should take a waterbottle with you, and moisturizer for your skin, as the wind will suck your skin dry as paper.

Also, take a good look at the weather for the rest of your stay. Pick a day the forecasters say might be clear (good luck on that), if you want to see the city from The Rock. Want atmosphere and gloomy views better suited to the past uses of the site? Pick a day forecast to come up foggy (you will have plenty of choice on this one).

Ask questions of the rangers, they give out the standard spiel to everyone, but for those who ask (and care to know) there's a lot more info you can get only from those who work there every day. Ask them for hiking/view suggestions, most people don't, and you might get a memory to cherish.

Lots to do and see, no matter what you like! Whatever you do, you'll have a great time!

Thanks for the great advice, and the link.
I'm going to book some tickets to Alcatraz tonight, we were also considering hiring a bike to cycle across the bridge.
More advice and tips are of course, always welcomed.

Kev.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes


The drinking age is 21 and it's fairly strictly enforced

GJ

I was asked for ID in NY!!! I nearly kissed them! (I am 30 in 4wks!) make sure you take your licence with you.

[Decker]

I was carded in CA a year or two after my fortieth... jobsworth

On a flight two weeks ago today to LA in PE, I was pleasnatly surprised by the volume of service provided and believe that it's far superior to any similar products available.

VS.

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Decker
I was carded in CA a year or two after my fortieth... jobsworth

Things have changed a lot since the 90's.....[:p]

I'd take passport over driving licence, as for some places they won't accept a UK driving licence.

For SFO, mmm...

Cheesecake Factory above Macy's on Union Square is a must - very cheap too.

Whilst in Macy's visit guest relations, and show passport for your 11% discount card.

Have to ride a cable car!

I thought the Fisherman's Wharf area, esp Pier 39 was very tacky, tourist magnet. Though some like the sea lions....

When you get there, ask you concierge for a map, and they should hand you a good, clear street map.

Thanks,
Richard

I always buy a MUNI passport whenever I go to San Francisco. You can buy them for one, three or seven days which covers all buses, subway, tram and cable cars operated by MUNI. The seven-day version offers the best value for your money. Available at the airport on arrival or at the tourist information centre outside Powell St station.

Hi Kev.

As an ex-pat Brit now living in SF let me welcome you to "the city" (true residents speak about it in this way as though there were no other city in the world?!?)

The first thing you'll notice is it's surprisingly small (approx 7 miles x 7 miles) however that makes it all the more charming and it is in fact filled with things to see and do.

As some have said it can be cold (this is not sunny & warm Southern California) so wear layers and bring a backpack to carry your outerwear in when you take it off around lunchtime!

There are lots of really good guide-books out there so take the time to read a couple and get differing viewpoints on the major attractions to see what sounds good to you. However, some on the must-see list include:

Golden Gate Bridge - walk-it, bike-it, whatever - just cross it because you can't truly say you've been to SF if you don't!

Alcatraz - get the audio tour - it's one of the most informative and atmospheric tours I've ever done! As others have said you should book in advance through the website: http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

Cable Cars - you have to ride them at least once (although you'll soon find them to be a little inefficient as a permanent means of transport!)

China Town / North Beach - two of the more colorful neighborhoods that are adjacent and easy to walk through. Chinatown actually is not always the best place to eat Chinese food (overpriced and not tasty!) but one to try is Brandy Ho's at Columbus and Broadway

Here's some more websites to look at:

Bike Rental for biking the bridge: http://www.blazingsaddles.com/

Great Walking Tours run through the SF Public Library: http://www.sfcityguides.org/

Feel free to shoot some more Q's and I'll help in any way I can!

Take Care
SFO-Marc

Thanks for the tips SFO-marc and all others. Im taking notes, and hope to have a great time.

Kev.

Cycling is a great way to see some of the city, and especially to get over the GG bridge - I highly recommend it. There are a number of places to hire bikes and all will provide cycling tour guides. Cycling over the bridge, stopping and taking snaps is a great way to spend a day. SFO is quite bike friendly and if you head for and follow the waterfront to the bridge there's plenty to stop and do.