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Getting Around the San Francisco Bay Area: Transportation & Airports Explained
- Elijah
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Getting around the Bay Area can feel confusing at first, especially since San Francisco, San Jose, and surrounding cities are spread out rather than centered around one core. This guide breaks down how the region is laid out, how people typically move between cities, and which transportation options make the most sense depending on where you’re staying.
The sections below focus on practical, real-world considerations, including public transportation, regional transit systems, and the major airports serving the Bay Area. Instead of listing every option available, this guide is meant to help you understand how things actually work on the ground so you can plan more efficiently and avoid unnecessary travel time.
How the Bay Area Is Laid Out (and Why It Matters for Transportation)
The Bay Area comprises a vast network of cities and spans nine counties, covering thousands of miles. If you’re planning to explore more than just San Francisco, expect some driving or long train rides. And here’s an important tip: Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers and the host of Super Bowl 60, is not in San Francisco at all. It’s in Santa Clara, about 40 miles south of the city.
San Francisco:
San Francisco is the cultural and historic heart of the Bay Area and the most popular stop for out-of-town visitors. It’s packed with must-see landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the largest Chinatown in North America. The city’s compact size makes it easy to explore multiple neighborhoods in a single day, but each area has its own distinct character (and even its own microclimate).
Highlights by neighborhood:
North Beach – steeped in Italian heritage, with classic cafes and nightlife.
Mission District – colorful murals and some of the best Latin food in California.
Marina – upscale dining, trendy bars, and views of the bay.
Nob Hill – historic hotels and sweeping city views.
Food lovers will find everything from clam chowder in sourdough bowls at Fisherman’s Wharf to world-class fine dining. Cultural attractions like Golden Gate Park, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Pier 39 add even more variety to a visit.
Silicon Valley:
South of San Francisco lies Silicon Valley, home to tech-driven cities like Palo Alto, San Jose, Redwood City, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. This region is best known for being the headquarters of major tech companies, but it’s also where you’ll find Levi’s Stadium, the host venue for Super Bowl 60. Silicon Valley is more suburban than San Francisco, with wider streets and less walkability, but it makes up for it with family-friendly attractions and convenience. In San Jose, you can explore Santana Row for upscale shopping and dining, the Tech Interactive Museum for hands-on exhibits, or the Municipal Rose Garden for a quieter escape. Santa Clara itself offers California’s Great America theme park, just seconds from Levi's Stadium. Palo Alto and Mountain View are hubs of tech and research, anchored by Stanford University and Google’s main campus, and while they’re more laid-back than San Francisco, you’ll still find excellent restaurants, casual bars, and a steady flow of students, professionals, and longtime locals.
East Bay:
The East Bay refers to the cities across the Bay Bridge, including Oakland, Fremont, and Berkeley. Oakland is the East Bay’s cultural hub, known for its incredible food scene, street art, and Lake Merritt, a popular urban park. It’s also home to the Oakland Museum of California, which highlights Bay Area history and culture. Berkeley, just north, has a laid-back vibe with its famous university, quirky shops, and the Gourmet Ghetto food district that helped launch the farm-to-table movement. Fremont and Hayward are further south, offering convenient access if you’re driving between San Francisco and Santa Clara. The East Bay is also a smart choice for budget-conscious travelers. Hotels here are often cheaper than in San Francisco or Silicon Valley, and you’ll find a more local feel in neighborhoods and restaurants. The trade-off is travel time: depending on traffic, it can take an hour or more to reach Levi’s Stadium.
Public Transportation Options Across the Bay Area
The Bay Area is large and spread out, but public transportation can make it much easier to get between cities and Super Bowl events. The easiest way to pay for rides is with a Clipper Card, a reloadable transit pass you can use on nearly all Bay Area transit systems. You can buy a physical card or simply add Clipper to your smartphone’s wallet before your trip. Just tap to pay fares across ferries, BART, Caltrain, Muni, and more.
BART
BART is the Bay Area’s subway system, connecting San Francisco to the East Bay and parts of San Jose. It’s a fast option for reaching Oakland, Berkeley, or Fremont, but note that it doesn’t serve most of Silicon Valley.
Caltrain
Caltrain runs in a straight line down the Peninsula from San Francisco through Silicon Valley to San Jose and Gilroy. For Super Bowl visitors, it’s the best way to travel between San Francisco, San Jose, and Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara Station). Just remember to tap your Clipper Card before boarding and after exiting. (Use this link to see current Caltrain schedules)
Muni
Muni is San Francisco’s local transit system, with buses, light rail, streetcars, and the city’s famous cable cars. It only operates within San Francisco, making it the easiest way to get around neighborhoods once you’re already in the city.
Ferries
Bay Area ferries connect San Francisco to Oakland, Vallejo, and Sausalito, offering scenic rides across the water. Services are operated by Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry. While less essential since the construction of the bridges, ferries are still a fun and efficient option.
VTA
The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates buses and light rail across Santa Clara County, including Palo Alto, San Jose, and Milpitas. This is the system you’ll use to reach Levi’s Stadium from Downtown San Jose or Caltrain.
Bay Area Airports and When Each One Makes Sense
Flying in for Super Bowl 60? The Bay Area has three major airports, each with pros and cons depending on where you’re staying.
SFO – San Francisco International Airport
The largest Bay Area airport, with ~1,300 flights daily. SFO usually offers the cheapest fares and the most flight options. It’s 30 minutes to Downtown San Francisco and 40 minutes to Levi’s Stadium. BART and SamTrans buses run directly from the terminals.
SJC – San Jose Mineta International Airport
Located in San Jose, about 15 minutes from Levi’s Stadium and a little over an hour to San Francisco. SJC is smaller (~200 flights daily) and often pricier than SFO, but unbeatable for stadium proximity. Use the free VTA Route 60 Airport Flyer to connect with BART, light rail, and Caltrain.
OAK – Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport
We know the name is confusing, but yes, this is the Oakland International Airport. The smallest of the three, with ~100 flights daily. OAK is often the most expensive option and has the fewest routes, but it’s convenient if you’re staying in the East Bay. From the airport, BART’s Coliseum Station connects you to San Francisco and beyond.
Airport | Time to Downtown SF | Time to Levi’s Stadium | Downsides |
SFO – San Francisco | 30 min | 40 min | Can be crowded, fog delays possible |
SJC – San Jose | 1+ hour | 15 min | Fewer flights, often pricier than SFO |
OAK – Oakland | 25 min | 45–55 min | Smallest airport, limited routes, often pricier |
Final Thoughts
Transportation plays a big role in how smooth a Bay Area trip feels, especially when you’re moving between cities like San Francisco and San Jose. Understanding the layout of the region and how different transit systems connect can save time, reduce stress, and make planning much easier overall.
This guide is updated as transportation options change or as we gain more firsthand experience navigating the area. If you’re continuing to plan your trip, our full Bay Area travel guide brings together where to stay, what to do, and how to get around in one place.
Planning more of your trip? Our complete Bay Area travel guide pulls together where to stay, how to get around, and what else to do, all in one place.
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