Korean Job Discussion Forums

vdowd · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Location: Iksan

Hi all,

I asked this question in the NA forum but they are a little quite there. So I'm asking the more talkative Korean forum.

I have a 6 hour layover in San Fran on way from Seoul to Vancoouver at the end of March. Is that enough time to see anything of San Fran? If yes, what would you recommend?

Thanks
VV

oldtactics · Joined: 18 Oct 2008

All the touristy stuff in San Fran has to be planned/booked in advance but 6 hours is enough time to take a cab to the Embarcadero and walk along the waterfront/try one of the seafood restaurants. Lots to explore in that area, doesn't require any money. That area has a few good spots to pick up the streetcar, worth checking out if the lines aren't too long.

There are lots of bus tours available as well if you'll be there during the day - worth looking up online, there are a few that include lunch.

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

food is scrumptious...trolley to get around in San Fran...so many hills..lol

vdowd · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Location: Iksan

Thanks for those that replied,

Food is primary and a walk sounds great. Any one know how long it takes to get from airport to good area by BART/taxi - hate this International Flight checkin time - it robs you of making a long boring stopover, an opportunity to explore somewhaere new. Will I have time to do something?

Keep the ideas coming. Thanks.

VV

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

get fisherman's pier address and plug it into the airport address and see or go to the chamber of commerce for san francisco and see what they have for info

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I think you'll be pressed for time. It might take an hour or more to get through immigration and customs. If your flight arrives in the early evening, you're SOL. If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, should be ok. Might get it all done w/in 30 minutes. It has ranged everywhere from 15 minutes to 90 minutes for me when arriving in SFO from abroad.

You know, you could check-in your baggage and whatnot before you head to SF. That way, when you get back to SFO, just head straight to the gate. Keep in mind that flights from canada leave from domestic terminals, so might take awhile to get through security.

Anyway, check out the BART website http://www.bart.gov for times. I think it takes about 20-30 minutes to get into downtown SF.

As for what to do, yeah, just go to the embarcadero. Check out the ferry terminal, walk along the water, be pretty nice. Either that or go to Powell St. station, and walk to union square, which is close by. That's the epicenter of tourism in SF.

If you're more into neighborhoods and good eateries, get off one of the two Mission St. BART stations. No tourist sites, but fair # of good restaurants. Also quite a mix of people.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

http://www.yelp.com is a good website for finding restaurants and the like.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Many times a long stop in L.A. or S.F. to Vancouver can be avoided by complaining about it once you arrive.

There is lots of planes going there and the can put you on another flight. If they can't I just enjoy a breakfast burrito and relax.

Don't even think about leaving an airport on a layover under 12 hours.

vdowd · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Location: Iksan

Thanks DD, I'll think about that but I'll still listen to other ideas. Keep 'em coming.

VV

Mdvl_lady50 · Joined: 22 Oct 2008

I've flown into San Francisco from England several times. As one of the previous posters stated, it can take anywhere from about 45 to 90 minutes to go through customs and immigration. I would think if you are able to do it under 90 minutes, take the Bart (it's not that long) and definitely do the Fisherman's Wharf (Embarcadero) walk. Great little places to have sour dough bread (even better to one of the Boudin Bakery's and buy some for Vancouver) and clam chowder and just enjoy the sea air. On the other hand if it takes you awhile to get things done at the airport, I also suggest just chilling and getting a good meal. Yes, they do have them at the airport (you pay dearly), but there is piece of mind -- and I think there is a Boudin's outlet there to pick up some bread as well. Hope you make it into the city. It's my favorite one in the States.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

yeah, good point. The intl. terminal in SFO has some decent restaurants.

vdowd · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Location: Iksan

Thanks all for your insight. I would love to SF but I think many of you are right about the time crunch and it might be safer to stay at the airport.

Especially since my flight does not originate in Seoul. It is Bangkok to Seoul, 8 hour layover - like I haven't seen enough of that airport, flight to SF, 6 hour layover, flight to Vancouver - I might be a little punch drunk travelling about 2 days due to the date line.

I thank you for the ideas of the bakery and food there. I understand too after checking out the airport that there are some things to see there - like Art museums, etc. Guess my sea walk will have to be in Vancouver.

Oh well, I guess next time.

VV

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

What a shttty flight I hope you didn't pay much for that.

Brooks · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

for Americans it doesn't take so long but for anyone else - I can't believe how long the lines are.
I remember waiting for my wife (she's Japanese). I got the bags and waited, waited, and waited.

Turns out that since we are married we can be in the line for Americans.
She doesn't have a green card.

I do recommend BART. It stops at the airport. I prefer it to any bus or taxi.

dbmctague · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Would I be the only one to advise against going to Fishermans Wharf? It's just a tourist trap. There's many other piers to visit that arent crowded and offer as great views.

Id say six hours isn't enough. If you were in Boston and had a six hour domestic layover, then yea, i'd tell you to go to Boston, for the blue or silver lines will quickly take you to the city. But again, despite the speed of BART (one of their transit systems) the airport is at least a 30-40 minute ride away, and the time it takes through immigration, you'll be too pressed for time to really enjoy anything. It takes an hour just to get your bearings and you'll be constantly checking your watch. One day I'd recommend a trip from Vancover to Seattle, then take Amtrak from Seattle to Portland, then to San Francisco. You'll be covering the few best cities America has to offer in a single easy and affordable trip!