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Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation

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Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation
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Hello all!

So I am traveling to Santa Rosa in the first week of June for a wedding. I reside all the way on the east coast and have never been to CA. My husband and I will be arriving at the San Francisco airport and we have thoughts of taking a shuttle to Sonoma. After a couple nights there, we have planned to head back to SF to explore the city. We will be there about 3 nights and are staying in union square. I really am not excited about the idea of renting a car. I don't want to have to drive through SF and pay for parking and all that. What are some ways that we could travel from Santa Rosa to SF? I guess we could take the same airport type of shuttle back but I was curious about ferry's or maybe even a one-way type of tour. Any ideas?

Plus I welcome any travel trips for traveling to SF. Thanks! :)

San Francisco
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36,628 posts
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1. Re: Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation
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A quick Google got me this: http://airportexpressinc.com/schedules.php

Have no idea about the quality of the service. Don't know where they drop in Santa Rosa. Most likely you'd need a cab or Uber from the drop spot to where you're staying.

Napa, California
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2. Re: Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation
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Airportexpress to Santa Rosa and Golden Gate Transit for getting back to SF. Maybe you will be able to get family or friends to help with transportation in Santa Rosa.

Fort Bragg...
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1,088 posts
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3. Re: Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation
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Just rent a car from SFO and return it when you come back to SF, you will need a car in Sonoma.

San Francisco, Ca
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4. Re: Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation
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What will you do for transportation in Sonoma? Unless all your activities will be centered around the wedding (with transportation either provided or not needed), it's not the type of place that you can explore via transit.

>>I don't want to have to drive through SF and pay for parking and all that.<<

Very smart to not want a car for the time that you're staying in SF. It's very easy to rent a car on your arrival at SFO, drive to Sonoma, then return the car near your hotel when you come back to San Francisco. No worries about parking!

(The drive from SFO to Sonoma would be through SF city streets for a portion, but it's not that hard. Written directions in advance and a GPS in the car will get you through.)

Santa Cruz...
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for Santa Cruz
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5. Re: Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation
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Here is how to get from the airport to Santa Rosa in a car....the easiest way to avoid traffic, in my opinion:

From the airport take Hwy 380 up to Hwy 280 (both freeways). Follow 280 into San Francisco. As you come into the city be sure to be in the lanes which say "Golden Gate Bridge" or you will be whisked off to downtown SF.

You will then be on four lane divided streets which cross Golden Gate Park and lead to the bridge. This is not *heavy* traffic. Yes there are traffic lights, but they are timed, (35 mph, as I remember) and if you are clever you can play the game and not have to stop very often <grin>.

After you cross the bridge, just stay on Hwy 101 until you get to Santa Rosa. about 40 miles or so. So much easier, and more pleasant, than depending upon shuttles.

As mentioned, you can get rid of the car as soon as you get back into SF. Just rent from a company which has a drop-off point in the city. There are many.

El Granada...
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6. Re: Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation
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I suggest renting a car for the Santa Rosa portion. Pickup and return at SFO. Take BART or whatever from the airport to your hotel. You'll enjoy your drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Have a great trip.

7. Re: Santa Rosa to San Francisco transportation

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