QYPE*

Flying in to San Francisco or are you just an aviation nerd like me? Either way SFO is the best airport in Northern California hands down especially for International travellers.

It is about a 20 minute drive from downtown San Francisco, or a 20 minute train ride on the local transportation called BART. SFO is the only airport BART physically goes in to, therefore making it very accessable to most travellers.

The International terminal was just redone in 2001 and they rebuilt the roads around the airport to make driving to different terminals and garages and freeways incredibly easy. New parking garages were built with (currently) 18 dollar daily parking fees. They are clean and attached to the terminal so it is a short walk almost anywhere. Off airport parking is available but there are shuttles and some hidden fees so your 10$ a day parking ends up being about the same and more hassle in the end.

The whole airport building is a large circle which is less than a mile walk around between terminals. This is good if you have a lay over and want a good brisk walk pre security. You can also take the free airtrain between the terminals. The air train has two lines, one is a circle line and the other will take you to all terminals and the nice multiple rental car agency building off site. The airtrain is also great for aviation enthuesiests because its platforms are high, and you can get great views of both intersecting runways. My young nieces just like riding it around because it is small and remotely operated, so you can sit up front and pretend your driving it!

Terminal 2 is not open and will probably be closed for years. There is too much construction to be done and asbestos to remove to bring it up to modern building codes. It is safe as it is, but it is old and run down so no airline wants it. It houses the airport medical offices, a neat radar exhibit, some airport offices and is the main access area to the tower. Limited access here but you can still pass through it on a walk. No views of the airport from here, no shops or food but there are restrooms.

Terminal 1 and 3 are practically identical and house MOST of the domestic flights in the US. They have limited shops and each have a full sit down restaurant pre-security. This is nice to have a meal with a freind before you depart or see them off. Post security there are many restaurants and shops. The terminals are older but very clean and well laid out.

The International Terminal does not have a terminal number and is just known as the international terminal. It is similar to the Hong Kong airport and Heathrow T5 with the high ceilings, open floor plan, modern architechural details and clean light colours. It has a beautiful ceiling with peices of glass that change from pinks to purples to blues depending on the sunlight. I am told it is supposed to be like looking at the bottom of boats floating on the bay. There are more food options here before security in 2 separate food court areas than after security. After security there are some snack shops a coffee shop and possibly two sit down restaurants. The lounges are spacious, comfy, clean and have superb viewing areas of the airport.

The airport has a ton of history and you can learn more about that in the mini museum in the INTL terminal. The room is an exact replica of the original SFO terminal and it is gorgeous. It has books and aviation space displays with propellers and rockets. It also has the old log where pilots signed in when they land. Read through it and you can see Amelia Earhart and other famous pilot signatures and notes when they flew in. Throughout the airport there are always other amazing museum displays which change every few months. They range from things such as “inflight china and place settings on air force one throughout the years,” to “historical ballet costumes.”

The airport also is home to a Signature Flight Support FBO for those of you who have their own private jets and helicopters. Landing fees are ridiculous so only land there if you are rich and don’t care, or are transferring to a commercial flight. You can get cheaper fuel, landings fees, hangaring and parking fees, and customs at OAK and SJO airports. Just touching down on Signatures ramp will cost you $500, even if you do not shut down your engine. They track tail numbers so you can’t run and hide!!!

The airport itself was featured as a 1970’s tv drama call San Francisco Intl. It was actually shot on the airport and ran for one season. One episode was parodied by the geniouses at MST3k. It is great viewing for airport lovers because you can see how different/similar it looks to today.

I could write more but I won’t. Again, nicest most efficient airport in Nor Cal probably even California. Even if OAK or SJO are closer, use SFO!