One of the criteria the Potlatch 12 ConCom used in selecting
a hotel was access to public transportation and proximity to restaurants
and other amenities. We believe we succeeded. The hotel is on the Market
Street transit corridor, literally steps away from the Civic Center BART
station.
We suggest you leave the cars at home when you attend Potlatch
12. To quote the hotel's web site: "We strongly recommend utilizing taxis
and public transport around town. It is more economical and less frustrating
than searching for parking. San Francisco is a great walking town famous
for its compact size." Parking at the hotel is limited, restricted to
registered guests, and expensive ($18/day). There are lots around the
area, with various pricing policies for "all day," nights, weekends, etc.,
but we hope the public transit information that follows will demonstrate
that a carless weekend is the best option. (Phone numbers and URLs for
more information on are at the end of the public transit section.)
Coming in By Air
Oakland Airport:
Taking public transit from the Oakland airport is quick,
easy, and inexpensive. A shuttle to the Coliseum BART station runs every
few minutes from in front of the terminals. Fare is $2.00 shuttle and
$2.75 BART to the hotel. If you are traveling light, it is also possible
to take the bus. The ACTransit A line runs plush new buses from the airport
into the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco (see below). The fares are
$2.50 for AC Transit and $1.00 for Muni.
San Francisco Airport:
Public transit is also an easy and inexpensive option from
San Francisco Airport. The SamTrans KX line provides express service from
the terminals into downtown San Francisco. There is a stop at 8th and
Mission just one block south of the hotel, or you can ride the bus all
the way to the Transbay Terminal (see below). The fares are $3.00 for
SamTrans and $1.00 for Muni. SamTrans route BX also connects the airport
to the Colma BART station.
Finally, there are numerous van services that provide door-to-door
transportation from both airports. Per passenger fares from Oakland are
about $23; from San Francisco, about $13. It is preferable to have reservations.
Some shuttle services give discounts for multiple passengers to the same
address, so inquire before making a reservation.
By Amtrak
Since there is no direct Amtrak service into San Francisco,
the easiest way to arrive via Amtrak is to take the train to Richmond,
CA, which is a joint Amtrak/BART station, and take BART direct to the
hotel.
By Greyhound
Greyhound uses the Transbay Terminal (below).
Transbay Terminal
From the outside ramp of the Transbay Terminal, the 6 Parnassus
will take you to 8th and Market. Or you can walk one block north on First
Street and catch the F Streetcar or the 2, 7, 9, 21, or 71 buses. The
Muni fare is $1.00.
BART
The hotel is just a few steps from the Civic Center BART
station. Follow the direction signs within the station to the 8th and
Market exit. In addition, this location is also a station for the intra-San
Francisco MuniMetro.
From the East Bay
Did you notice the part about the hotel being right on top
of the Civic Center BART Station? In addition, ACTransit runs bus service
from all parts of the East Bay to the Transbay Terminal (see above).
From the Peninsula and South Bay
From the Caltrain terminus the MuniMetro N line takes you
to the Civic Center Metro station (see BART, above). (This is also a really
nice ride past the new PacBell Park and through the bustling, trendy South
Beach district.) The fare is $1.00. SamTrans also runs many buses from
parts of the Peninsula into downtown San Francisco. The stop at 8th and
Mission is only one block south of the hotel at 8th and Market. A third
option would be to drive to the Colma or Daly City BART stations.
From the North Bay
Golden Gate Transit provides bus service into downtown
San Francisco, and ferry service that connects to the Muni F streetcar
line at the ferry building.
For more transit information
ACTransit:
510-839-2931;
SamTrans/ CalTrain:
1-800-660-4287;
Muni: 415-673-6864;
Golden Gate Transit:
415-455-2000 (Marin County);
707-541-2000 (Sonoma County);
BART
Bay Area TravInfo:
817-1717 (can supply info on all transit systems from any local area
code)
Oakland
airport ground transportation: (comprehensive list, with phone numbers,
of shuttle services, most of which also serve SFO).
SFO ground transportation:
(click on "ground transportation" at top of main page)
For attendees who choose to drive....
The following directions are from the Hotel's web site:
Upon arrival to the Ramada Plaza Hotel International, park
temporarily in front of the hotel to register and allow our friendly doorman
to assist you with your luggage. Welcome to San Francisco!
From the San Francisco International Airport/Peninsula/South
Bay Take Highway 101 North into San Francisco. Take the Civic Center Exit.
Stay in the left-hand lane onto 9th Street (a northbound one-way street).
Continue on 9th Street to Market Street. Make a right turn (Eastward)
on Market Street. The Ramada Plaza Hotel International is between 9th
and 8th Street on the right side (South side).
From the Bay Bridge Take Highway 80 West crossing the Bay
Bridge (Bridge Toll Westbound) to San Francisco. Stay on the 80 West (2nd
lane from the right) until exiting on the 9th Street/Civic Center Exit.
Once on the exit ramp, stay in the right hand lane to 9th Street (which
is a northbound one-way street). Make a right turn on 9th Street. Continue
past Mission Street, turn right on Market Street. The Ramada Plaza Hotel
International is between 9th and 8th Street on the right side (South side).
From the Golden Gate Bridge Take Highway 101 South across
the Golden Gate Bridge (Bridge Toll Southbound). Continue on Highway 101
South to Lombard Street. Continue on Lombard Street to Van Ness Street.
Make a right turn on to Van Ness Street. Continue to Golden Gate Avenue
(approximately 1 1/2 miles). After passing Turk Street, take a left turn
on Golden Gate Avenue. Go three blocks and take a right turn on Hyde Street
(which is a one-way Southbound Street). Go three blocks and cross Market
Street. Hyde becomes 8th when it crosses Market. The Hotel is on Market
between 8th and 9th.
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