Taking off Travel blog

Today we continue our series on airport parking locations with San Francisco International Airport. This airport recently did well in the Skytraxx World Airport Awards, which surveyed around 12 million passengers about 388 airports. San Francisco Airport placed third on the list of North America’s best airports, behind Vancouver International and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International. And its Terminal 2 was rated 4th in the world on the Best Airport Terminals list. However, an even bigger achievement was topping the list for Best Airport Service Staff in North America. Overall, it’s the second best American airport and is now in the top 40 of world airports.

San Francisco Airport History

Located 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, SFO is the second busiest airport in California. Serving as the base for Virgin America, it is also a major hub for United Airlines. The airport first opened in May 1927 on land leased from Ogden L Mills. At that time it was called Mills Field Municipal Airport. In 1931 it became San Francisco Municipal Airport, gaining international status in 1955. The award-winning Terminal 2 is an extended version of the original Central Passenger Terminal, opened in 1954 and extended in 1984. (Find out more about the history of SFO.)

SFO Terminals

SFO has four terminals – 3 domestic and 1 international – and over 100 boarding gates. Its busiest international routes are to Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, Seoul, Frankfurt and Taipei. Domestic traffic is heaviest to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Denver. The airport handled more than 41 million passengers in 2011. Passengers tend to experience delays in bad weather, because of the location of the runways. Schemes to extend the runways have met opposition from those concerned about the environmental effects on the Bay Area. Meanwhile construction of a new tower is due to start later this year, as it is estimated that the existing tower could not survive a major earthquake.

SFO Passenger Amenities

SFO International Airport has a number of passenger facilities and amenities. These include luggage storage, showers, medical facilities, restaurants, bars and cafes, shopping, nurseries, Wi-Fi, charging stations, workstations, a yoga room and much more. An interactive airport map is available here. The airport is well served for ground transportation with the BART, Caltrain and SamTrans systems. Off-airport parking services are available from CL Parking, Ace Parking (Quikpark) and Park N Fly.

Things to Do Near SFO Airport

If you’re looking for something to while away the time at the airport, the SFO Museum offers exhibitions throughout the facility. If you have an extended layover, then take the BART into the city. If it’s early, Dottie’s True Blue Cafe is a great place for breakfast. The SFO airport shops are considered to be pretty good, but if you want even more variety, Union Square is within easy reach of the airport. Fisherman’s Wharf is a great place for a stroll and you can also enjoy the antique penny arcade machines at the Musee Mechanique. Check out the Victorian mansions on the “world’s crookedest street”, Lombard Street, take a ride on a cable car or tour the Golden Gate Bridge. If you have more time in the city, then these suggestions from Time Out may help.

What are your favorite things to do in San Francisco?

Visiting San Francisco? Check out our off airport parking coupon and save.

Image credits: coolcaesar; Christian Mehlführer

Here’s our weekly roundup of some of the recent travel news stories.

Experts Predict Airline Ticket Sales Slowdown

Last week we mentioned the new rules to promote more transparency in air travel prices for consumers. That story has continued to promote discussion especially since the rules came into force last Thursday. However, an article in the LA Times suggests that the rules may result in a reduction in ticket sales because of ‘sticker shock’ – the sudden increase in prices. This view is held by a number of travel industry experts. There is still a pending lawsuit to stop the rules from going into force, brought by Southwest, Spirit and Allegiant.

LA Visitor Numbers Rocket

The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau has released figures showing a 4.2% increase in overnight visitors to LA during 2011. The influx of 26.9 million people had a resulting 8% increase in spending by tourists to $15.2 billion. One of the largest sections of growth was in the international visitor sector, where visitor numbers increased by 7% and spending increased by 12%. One of the factors driving the growth was increased traffic from Asia, as well as Canada and Mexico but there was also a 2% increase in domestic travel to LA. The airport is undertaking an expansion of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, to cost $1.5 billion and Los Angeles is to host the US Travel Association’s International PowWow in April, resulting in an influx of international visitors. If you are planning to visit LA in 2012, check out our recommendations for things to do in LA.

Brazil Boom Brings Travel Woes

If you’re planning a trip to Brazil in the near future to attend any of the major sporting events to be held there, don’t be surprised if the trip leaves you feeling underwhelmed. The country is due to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and ahead of that the country is experiencing a travel boom. That means headaches for passengers in terms of higher ticket prices and lots of delays. Brazil’s airport infrastructure just isn’t ready to cope with the boom and airport upgrades scheduled to be ready by the June 2013 start of the Confederations Cup, are unlikely to be complete. More on this in the Washington Post.

Relax at SFO

If you happen to be visiting San Francisco, you might find your trip through San Francisco International Airport quite … peaceful. Though that’s not a word often associated with air travel, the airport now has a Yoga Room in terminal 2, reports Time. Low lighting and sound protection should keep the noise of the terminal at bay, and you can sit on one of the many available yoga mats between 4.30am to 12.30am daily and rediscover your bliss!

Visiting SFO, LAX or another airport? Don’t forget to use our Happy12 coupon and save on off airport parking.

San Francisco is one of the many cities where Park Ride Fly USA offers off airport parking. Check out our San Francisco airport parking facilities while you’re there.

Visiting San Francisco this summer on business or for fun?  Here are some events you won’t want to miss.

MAY 1-OCTOBER 31

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

Yerba Buena Gardens, 415-543-1718

www.ybgf.org

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival encompasses more than 150 artistic, cultural and community events from May through October in Yerba Buena Gardens. Events include popular and operatic music series, cultural festivals, dance performances, international music concerts, visual art exhibits, theater and spoken word performances.

MAY 15

Asian Heritage Street Celebration

Larkin Street near Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., and Little Saigon area, 415-321-5894

www.asianfairsf.com

A celebration of all Asian cultures, the Asian Heritage Street Celebration promotes and fosters Asian Pacific American identity; live entertainment and more than 50 vendors makes this one of the largest pan-Asian events in the U.S.

MAY 16

ING Bay to Breakers

The Embarcadero to the Great Hwy., 415-359-2800

www.ingbaytobreakers.com

Since 1912 tens of thousands of people have gathered in San Francisco to see the world’s largest footrace unfold as more than 70,000 costume-clad runners and walkers push off at 8 am.

MAY 19-30

San Francisco International Arts Festival

Various venues, 415-399-9554 or 800-838-3006

www.sfiaf.org

Annual multi-disciplinary festival brings together the world community of artists and audiences to present and commission innovative, collaborative projects and performances.

MAY 22

Uncorked – The San Francisco Wine Festival

Ghirardelli Square, 415-775-5500

www.ghirardellisq.com

Enjoy tastings from a variety of Bay Area wineries and experience the ambience of the waterfront and entertainment throughout Ghirardelli Square and along Beach Street.

MAY 29-30

Carnaval 2010

Mission District, 415-651-1811

www.carnavalsf.com

Celebrating its 32nd anniversary San Francisco’s version of Mardi Gras, one of its largest annual public events, features exotic carnaval dancers with a mixture of latino, jazz, samba, Caribbean influences. Festive parade on Sunday morning draws upon a broad cultural pageantry.

MAY 29-30

Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon

Marina Green, 424-653-1900

www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com

The 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz, 18-mile bike ride and eight-mile run through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with a finish at Marina Green draws some 2,000 triathletes/relay teams annually.

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