Travel & Transit
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We're so excited to have you join us in the Bay Area. Here's everything you need to know to get around.
Planes
San Francisco is served by two major airports: SFO (San Francisco International) and OAK (Oakland International). Both are a bit outside the city center, but each is well-connected to San Francisco via public transit, rideshare, or car.
Trains (and other public transit)
If you're staying in San Francisco, you may not need much else. BART connects the SFO and OAK airports to downtown and runs throughout the broader Bay Area, while Muni covers neighborhoods across the city itself. Between the two, you can get most places you'd want to go. If you're based in Marin or Mill Valley, a car will serve you better — more on that below.
Automobiles
A rental car is entirely optional if you're staying in San Francisco — the city is dense and transit-friendly. If you're staying in Marin or Mill Valley, renting a car is probably worth it.
If you do drive, keep in mind that parking in SF can be scarce and expensive. Rideshares are abundant and often the smarter call — Lyft, Uber, and Waymo all operate here. If you haven't tried Waymo yet, this is a great excuse.
One thing we cannot stress enough: do not leave anything in your car. Not on the seat, not in the glovebox, not in the trunk. This goes for anywhere in the Bay Area — rental cars are a known target for break-ins, and thieves are thorough. Take everything with you, every time.
Traffic
Bay Area traffic is notoriously unpredictable. A 20-minute drive can easily become an hour depending on the time of day. Wherever you're staying, we recommend checking Google Maps before you head out. It's the best way to know what you're actually dealing with and leave yourself enough time.