Rail Fanning in San Francisco

[scoopernicus_in_Maine]

I'm accompanying my girlfriend to San Francisco at the beginning of April and while she's in the conferences, I'd like to explore the rails. Of course the Market Line is a must, but if anyone could give me some more specifics about what to ride and what to see I'd appreciate it.

Bonus points for reccomending good/affordable places to eat that are accessable by rail.

Thanks!

[jwhite07]

The whole MUNI Metro system is an interesting ride... my favorite has always been the N/Judah through Sunset Tunnel and down to Ocean Beach. The L/Taraval also goes right to the ocean, but I never found it quite as scenic.

The J, K, and M lines (and BART for that matter) all take you to Balboa Park, where MUNI has its main light rail shops. Across the street is the old Geneva Carhouse, where MUNI's historic fleet is based. Getting there via the J/Church line treats you to some impressive light rail hill-climbing near Mission Dolores Park.

West Portal's kind of interesting... inbound single cars and trains from different surface lines are often coupled together at West Portal Station and run as trains through the Market Street Subway. On the outbound the opposite happens, as trains are split and branch off to their respective surface route. Not too far down from West Portal on the K/Ingleside line on Ocean Avenue is Franciscan Hobbies.

I have not yet been out there to ride the new T/Third Street line.

And of course don't forget the cable cars! The carhouse and museum therein are a must see as well.

If you have the time, I highly recommend taking your girl for a drive to Monterey or the wine country while you're there. If not, there's plenty to see and do in the city, too.

[scoopernicus_in_Maine]

If you have the time, I highly recommend taking your girl for a drive to Monterey or the wine country while you're there. If not, there's plenty to see and do in the city, too.

You're the third person to give me that reccomondation, but I fear our time schedule doesn't allow it. I will make the effort to ride all the reccomended lines, and to see the trainsit musuems.

[farmerjohn]

If you have the time, I highly recommend taking your girl for a drive to Monterey or the wine country while you're there. If not, there's plenty to see and do in the city, too.

You're the third person to give me that reccomondation, but I fear our time schedule doesn't allow it. I will make the effort to ride all the reccomended lines, and to see the trainsit musuems.

Don't railfan in Oakland!

[jwhite07]

Well, if you're stuck in town, hop the F line or the Powell/Hyde cable car and go to Ghirardelli Square. Lots of good eats in the area and the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory is a must-see!

From a fellow Maine-iac (wife and I grew up in the Ellsworth area)...

[scoopernicus_in_Maine]

Well, if you're stuck in town, hop the F line or the Powell/Hyde cable car and go to Ghirardelli Square. Lots of good eats in the area and the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory is a must-see!

From a fellow Maine-iac (wife and I grew up in the Ellsworth area)...

That sounds like wicked good advice deah. (currently living in Portland ME)
I feel I'll be spending a considerable amount of time on the F line just enjoying those antique trolleys. Might hop a short BART ride just to try it.

Don't railfan in Oakland!

Poor Oakland. Can't be any worse then some parts of Boston or NYC I've been to. (no I hadn't any intention of railfanning in Oakland, just sayin)

[kevikens]

If you want to see trains. as in passenger and freight, take the Richmond Line BART to the end of the line and from the station parking lot you can see the old Espee Cal P line, now UP which will feature Amtrak and UP freights as well as BART trains. If you can, take the Amtrak train one stop from Richmond to Martinez, and from the station area you will see a lot of rail traffic. Also try taking Caltrain from the terminal at Fourth and King St. (at the end of the N Judah light rail Line) to San Jose. Nice classic station and lots of passenger traffic.

[scoopernicus_in_Maine]

If you want to see trains. as in passenger and freight, take the Richmond Line BART to the end of the line and from the station parking lot you can see the old Espee Cal P line, now UP which will feature Amtrak and UP freights as well as BART trains. If you can, take the Amtrak train one stop from Richmond to Martinez, and from the station area you will see a lot of rail traffic. Also try taking Caltrain from the terminal at Fourth and King St. (at the end of the N Judah light rail Line) to San Jose. Nice classic station and lots of passenger traffic.

Essentially all I have is one afternoon and one day to scope things out, so I probably won't have time for that, plus I do want to see some of the non-rail attractions of the city. That and my girlfriend strongly disaproves of my rail fanning.

[Tadman]

I have dealt with a few prior girlfriends that just "don't get" the railfan thing. The current one likes to ride trains, but that's due to eastern heritage and a "easier than driving" mentality from the big city. However, that's a tough issue. Probably just tell her you could be at one of the following pleasant alternatives:
1. Casino
2. Horsetrack
3. Gentleman's club
4. Electronics Store

and she might start leaving you alone. The nice thing about this hobby is the fact that it's $50/month for broadband, and another $50/year for a couple magazine subscriptions. Nothing else is required...

Disclaimer - I have nothing against anybody if they frequent any of the four listed places, I tend to find myself at #4 more than I need to be...

[scoopernicus_in_Maine]

My grilfriend's beleives in mass trainsit, she just doesn't get the fascination with it. She doesn't mind me riding around when she's in conference, as long as it doesn't cut into 'we' time.

Am noting down all suggestions. Keep em coming.

[3rdrail]

One of my favorite early activities is to sit at an outdoor cafe table at the Gallery Cafe and watch the cable cars pass by. The cafe is directly accross from the famous Cable Car Museum, so after your breakfast, you'll be right there to check that out. Gallery serves great, large mugs of strong coffee with delicious accompanyment.

[scoopernicus_in_Maine]

The trip planner reccomends I take the BART train from the airport to Powell Station, and then to ride the Powell-Mason cable car to our hotel.

While it looks to be fairly direct, I"m woindering about how hard it is to transport two tired travelers with luggage via cable car at 6:00 pm. I understand the lines can be long and the cars crowded.

[farmerjohn]

The trip planner reccomends I take the BART train from the airport to Powell Station, and then to ride the Powell-Mason cable car to our hotel.

While it looks to be fairly direct, I"m woindering about how hard it is to transport two tired travelers with luggage via cable car at 6:00 pm. I understand the lines can be long and the cars crowded.

Good luck!. Barts packed too! so it might be hard when you got luggage on you!.

[scoopernicus_in_Maine]

Good luck!. Barts packed too! so it might be hard when you got luggage on you!.

My guidebook says taxi's are notoriously bad.

Anyone have a reccomondation of the best way to get from SFO to The Fisherman's wharf area via public transport with a minimum of fuss?

[3rdrail]

I would suggest doing it just as already mentioned. Take BART directly from the airport to Powell. Then, jump on a cable car. If you are going in April, you're not yet in the rush of the tourist season. At 6:00PM, you may not get the first cable car at the turntable, but what a great way to welcome yourself to the city by the bay as a cable car ride ! Relax, sit on your luggage for the fifteen minutes it may take and enjoy the scenery. (A sneaky trick is to walk up a block or two from major cable car stops when you're not carrying bags and jump on.)