Designed by noted architect Timothy L. Pflueger, and completed in 1939, San Francisco's Transbay Transit Terminal was built to handle commuter rail travel across the lower portion of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The terminal was paid for by Bay Bridge tolls, which were then 50 cents per automobile. At the time, the lower deck of the Bay Bridge was not only used for automobile travel, but also hosted two rail tracks on the south side. The rail portion was run principally through the Key System.

The Terminal was designed to handle as many as 35 million people annually with a peak 20-minute rate of 17,000 commuters that were transported in 10-car trains at headways of 63.5 seconds. In its heyday at the end of World War II, the terminal’s rail system was transporting 26 million passengers annually. In 1958, as rail traffic in the area and across the United States dwindled, the lower deck of the Bay Bridge was converted to automobile traffic only and the Key System was dismantled. In 1959 the inter-modal Transbay Terminal was converted into a bus-only facility. Greyhound moved its station from 7th and Mission to the Transbay Terminal in the late 1980s.

The multi-story stone structure is a long rectangle on a northeast/southwest axis between Mission and Howard Streets at the foot of the Bay Bridge. Stretching two blocks wide, the terminal rises above Fremont and First Streets with above-grade ramps reaching another half-block from either end. From the street this behemoth can be difficult to describe but impossible to miss. Standing in front of Transbay Terminal (on Mission Street) you'll see a massive granite building with tall, multi-pane windows stretching nearly floor to ceiling. This could easily be a pre-war civic building, prison or manufacturing plant. Enclosed bus ramps spill from either end of the building hovering above Fremont and 1st Streets. The resulting underpasses are dark, dank corridors caked in urine and feces and home to hundreds of the city's destitute population. Catenary wires criss-cross the surrounding blocks like a net.

Transbay Terminal has several street entrances: one on each of 1st and Fremont Streets and a main entrance on Mission Street. The Mission Street entrance is set back from the main road about 50 feet with a half-circle driveway with a bus and taxi boarding zone. This entrance leads to an ancient waiting room lined with original wood benches each carved with the names of wary travelers. There are men's and women's restroom on either side of the waiting room but they are putrid, vile messes best left unseen. There are several banks of payphones but whether they work is a mystery. We can only say that they are sticky. Directly above this waiting room is a secondary driveway for local transit buses. To reach the Greyhound Station head up to the third floor. First walk up the ramp which leads to a Great Hall on the second floor with more local bus service, then ride up an escalator to the third floor. The escalator feeds directly to the Greyhound Station and its customer service desk.

The Greyhound Station is a long hallway split into two rooms. The first room reached by the escalator houses the customer service desk, a bank of payphones, stairs and escalator to/from the street level, and the arrival gate. The waiting room with more payphones, restrooms, vending machines, water fountain, and ATM is at the far end of the hall. It's not hard to find though it is unobvious; just look for the overhead sign that reads “To Buses”. The waiting area is clean and bright compared to the rest of the drab terminal. Greyhound recently made minor renovations to many of its stations including San Francisco. Look for modern signs over the telephones, restrooms, and vending machines that read (respectively): 'Telephones', 'Restrooms', and 'Vending'. In this small stations the signs are redundant but welcome gestures. The few rows of metal seats are also modern and generally clean and point directly at the flat screen television hanging overhead. Sit and mindlessly watch CNN with your fellow passengers.

There are 5 gates, each clearly marked with a blue sign with white numbers. Most passengers simply drop their bags in a line behind their assigned gate and then meander the small station. You can do the same or wait in line. Note that we never recommend leaving your bags out of sight. When your bus is called the driver will meet you at the gate, take your ticket (scolding folks who forget or refuse to remove the ticket from its envelope), and point in the general direction of your bus. All bus queue at the curb in a long line parallel to the bus station. Each bay is marked with a square blue sign, again with white numbers. Your bus may be to the right or left and may or may not be at the bay number matvhing the gate number. What? That means that if you queue behind Gate 5 your bus may be in Bay 5, but not necessarily. To minimize confusiuon, frivers frequently announce the bus number not the gate number when boarding passengers. If you're not sure which way to go, just ask the driver. In any case, drop your bags at the side of the bus and select your favorite seat.

Arriving passengers should grab their bags at the side of the bus and head into the station through the sliding glass doors. There you'll find the ticket booth and escalator to the right. Head downstairs two flights to reach street level and look for the Mission Street exit to find taxis. If you need a local bus check schedules and service routes from the second floor. Large, frequently outdated maps line the walls in the Great Hall. Passengers walking to Market Street and the F train or other spots should head to the street level (down the escalator and then the ramps) to the ground floor waiting room. Admire the ancient wooden benches and imagine the millions of war-time passengers who once lined these halls but avoid the restrooms and payphones. Look for the Fremont Street exit and take a left out the door to reach Market Street or find the 1st Street exit and take a right. Either way you'll cross Mission Street; Market is just one block away.

Transbay Temporary Terminal Coming Soon!

Design of the Temporary Terminal is complete and construction was to begin in November 2008. Bus operations are expected to move from the current Transbay Terminal to the Temporary Terminal in August 2009. The new Transit Center is scheduled to open in 2014 at the current Transbay Terminal site. The Temporary Terminal Project occupies the block bounded by Main, Folsom, Beale, and Howard Streets.

The good news is that San Francisco's Transbay Transit Terminal is in the heart of downtown, just a block from Market Street and an easy walk to street cars, restaurants, and hotels. Unfortunately, the seedy crowd in and around the terminal define the very essence of scary bus stations. At times the terminal reportedly houses up to 300 homeless folks in various stages of distress. Though generally tame and rarely dangerous, alcoholism and drug abuse are common among these folks. Ignore the odors and ramblings, these folks probably don't want to hurt you though they might try to bum a buck or two. Never feel obligated to share your money, just keep walking. Once you pass the crowds of destitute folk you'll find yourself surrounded by high-rise office buildings with ground floor stores and restaurants. There are numerous bus and light rail lines within easy walking distance. Savor the neighborhood for a moment; absorb the hustle of office workers, honking horns, and pounding construction noise. Know that you're just a few blocks from amazing neighborhoods and you're about to have a great time.

It seems silly to say but San Francisco is out of the way for most bus routes. Most long-distance routes across the west cost transfer in Sacramento, about 90 miles northeast of San Fran. Unless you're connecting to a local schedule for one of the small towns around San Francisco you'll rarely have a layover here. That being said, if you do find a few hours to wander the city consider yourself very lucky. Despite the grime of aged Transbay Terminal it only takes a minute in the San Francisco air to get a great feel for the city. Expect a bit of rain any day of the year but temperatures are always mild. Take a short walk northwest to Market Street (one block) and wander.

For an introductory itinerary read Must See below.

Give three or four sentences that describe the city, its location, reputation, interesting facts. Give one or two sentences describing the city subjectively. Does this place deserve a visit or is it just an unfortunate layover? What are the must see and do neighborhoods or activities in this city? What are the newspapers and which ones describe local events and nightlife? Describe the weather, when to come here and how to dress.

If the city is steeped in history (Boston, Philly, San Francisco) give a few paragraphs here, maybe one for each century. Otherwise, one paragraph to describe the founding of the city, its growth and regional importance is fine. There is no history test on this trip.

There's nothing like stepping off a bus into a city you've never seen before. The smells, sights and sounds can excite and frighten even the most intrepid traveler. To make the most of your time in any city, be it a day or a month, spend a few minutes learning the neighborhoods before you go. This will help you plan your trip and orient you to your surroundings. This section briefly describes the most popular and tourist-friendly neighborhoods in the city starting with the neighborhoods nearest the bus station and fanning out from there.

Describe the neighborhood nearest the bus station, the one that passengers would see if they stepped off the bus and walked a block or two. Use all of your senses: sights, sounds, smells, first impressions? And are your first impressions right or does this neighborhood surprise the visitor?

What's another nearby neighborhood that the passenger might see or visit within a few minutes of the bus station?

Tip: if you're writing about several neighborhoods (or places to eat etc) take some time between writing sessions. Take a day or at least a few hours. This prevents your writing from becoming repetitive or formulaic.

Keep going. Write about a far off neighborhood or a suburb that deserves a visit while the passenger is in town. Tell us how to get there, by bus, train, taxi etc. Be explicit.

Keep going. Write about a far off neighborhood or a suburb that deserves a visit while the passenger is in town. Tell us how to get there, by bus, train, taxi etc. Be explicit.

Keep going. Write about a far off neighborhood or a suburb that deserves a visit while the passenger is in town. Tell us how to get there, by bus, train, taxi etc. Be explicit.

Keep going. Write about a far off neighborhood or a suburb that deserves a visit while the passenger is in town. Tell us how to get there, by bus, train, taxi etc. Be explicit.

Keep going. Write about a far off neighborhood or a suburb that deserves a visit while the passenger is in town. Tell us how to get there, by bus, train, taxi etc. Be explicit.

Give a few sentences about transportation in the city. Is there anything to walk to near the station? Are we relying on buses or taxis while we're in town? Sum it up subjectively but give objective examples in detail below.

Is this a walking city or is it LA?

Are there buses and subways or is everything compact and walkable? Describe the transit system, company, and fare structure with detail. People need to know how to ride the system. What are the flaws and benefits? Any day or weekly passes? Free transfers?

Founded in 1912, Muni is a city-owned and operated transit agency which provides service throughout the city of San Francisco on a variety of vehicles. Cable cars are historic cable-powered (cables are under the street) vehicles. There are three remaining lines: the Powell & Hyde, the Powell & Mason, and the California. These are not wheelchair accessible. The F-Market and Wharves historic streetcar service runs from Fisherman's Wharf to the Castro, all on street-level tracks. This line is wheelchair accessible at most stops. Metro, light rail vehicles, streetcars start underground in Metro stations then come above ground and run on rail on city streets. They travel from downtown San Francisco out to various neighborhoods. Look for the J, K, L, M, N, S, and T lines. They are wheelchair accessible at all stations and at key stops on the street level. Buses are the rubber tire diesel vehicles that run on the majority of San Francisco lines. Muni bus lines are wheelchair accessible. Trolley buses also have rubber tires but are powered by catenary (electric overhead) wires. They travel above ground only. Muni trolley bus lines are wheelchair accessible.

Adult Fast Passes are good for one calendar month, with a three-day grace period into the next month (for example, the June pass is good from June 1 through July 3). Valid on all Muni streetcars, buses, and cable cars. These passes are valid on BART service within the city limits of San Francisco only. Passsengers using the Adult Fast Pass to ride BART must enter and exit at one of the following stations: Balboa Park, Civic Center, Embarcadero, Glen Park, Montgomery, Powell, 16th Street/Mission, 24th Street/Mission.

Muni Passports are good for unlimited rides on Muni, including cable cars. Three- and 7-day Passports are good for three or seven consecutive calendar days (respectively). Passports may be purchased in advance. Muni Passports are available at:

• SFMTA Customer Service Center, 11 South Van Ness Avenue at Market
• Muni Ticket Sales Location at Market & Powell Streets
• Muni Ticket Sales Location at Hyde & Beach Streets (near Ghirardelli Square)
• Muni Ticket Sales Location at Bay & Taylor Streets (near Fisherman's Wharf)
• Montgomery Station Sales Location at Montgomery Station (Mezzanine Level)
• Passports are also sold every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the information booths in the baggage claim areas at the San Francisco International Airport.

Transfers

Fares include one transfer good for 90 minutes. Always ask for a transfer on all Muni lines (except cable cars), even if you do not plan to transfer to another vehicle. Transfers are issued on request at the time the fare is paid. In Muni Metro subway stations, where you enter by a faregate, the transfer/fare receipt is automatically dispensed from a slot at the far side of the faregate once you have paid your fare. You need to take that transfer before you leave the faregate area.

Candlestick Park, CultureBus, and other Special Event Fares

Muni provides express service to Candlestick Park for 49ers home games, CultureBus service, as well as service to other events at other locations, such as the annual Bay to Breakers foot race. This service requires a Special Event fare. Muni also provides a shuttle from San Bruno and Bacon to Monster Park for 49ers home games, for which basic fares apply. Special Event fares:

• $7 for adults, age 18-64.
• $3 for all persons with a valid Muni pass, Passport or pass equivalent.
• children under 5 are free.

Special Event Fare Conditions:

• Exact change is required.
• Round-trip fares only. There are no one-way fares.
• Transfer/fare receipts, tickets, or tokens from regular Muni service are not valid for special event fares.
• The transfer/fare receipt issued on board special event service is good for return service after the event, and must be presented to Muni personnel at that time.
• The CultureBus fare is good for the entire day sold, with no limit on the number of trips.
• The transfer/fare receipt issued on board special event service is good for transferring to other Muni lines after the event, except cable cars.
• The round-trip transfer/fare receipt for one service cannot be used for a different service. For instance, the Candlestick Express and the CultureBus require separate fare payments.

Muni Metro is the modern incarnation of the traditional streetcar system that had served San Francisco since the late 19th century. Whereas many streetcar lines in San Francisco and other cities and were converted to buses after World War II, five lines survived until the 1970s, when the streetcar lines were converted to light rail with the opening of the Market Street Subway in 1980. Recently, the system has expanded, most notably the Third Street Light Rail Project, completed in 2007, which started the first new rail line in San Francisco in more than 50 years. Other projects, such as the Central Subway, are underway.

The system consists of 71.5 miles of standard gauge track, six light rail lines, three tunnels, nine subway stations, twenty-four surface stations, and numerous surface stops. Muni Metro utilizes a fleet of 151 light rail vehicles (LRV) made by Breda.

Unlike other Muni street car service, the F Market & Wharves line operates as a heritage service, using exclusively historical equipment both from San Francisco's retired fleet as well as from cities around the world. Despite its heritage status, the F Market & Wharves line is an integral part of Muni's intermodal urban transport network, operating at frequent intervals for 20 hours a day, seven days a week. It carries commuters and tourists alike, linking residential, business and leisure oriented areas of the city. Although Muni operates F Market & Wharves line, its operation is supported by Market Street Railway, a nonprofit organization of streetcar enthusiasts which raises funds and helps to restore vintage streetcars. Unlike the San Francisco cable car system, standard Muni fares are levied.

The San Francisco cable car system is the world's last permanently operational manually-operated cable car system, and is an icon of San Francisco, California. The cable car system forms part of the intermodal urban transport network operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni as it is better known. Cable cars operate on two routes from downtown near Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, and a third route along California Street. While the cable cars are used to a certain extent by commuters, their small service area and premium fares for single rides make them more of a tourist attraction.

• The Powell-Hyde (Line 60) line runs north and steeply uphill from a terminal at Powell and Market Streets, before crossing the California Street line at the crest of the hill. Downhill from this crest it turns left and uphill again along Jackson Street (as this is one-way, cable cars in the opposite direction use the parallel Washington Street), to a crest at Hyde Street. Here it turns right and steeply downhill along Hyde Street to the Hyde and Beach terminal, which is adjacent to the waterfront at the San Francisco Maritime Museum. Man-powered turntables turn the cable cars around at the two ends. This line is used greatly by tourists and often has long lines.

• The Powell-Mason (Line 59) line shares the tracks of the Powell-Hyde line as far as Mason Street, where it crosses Washington and Jackson streets. Here the line turns right and downhill along Mason Street, briefly half left along Columbus Avenue, and then down Taylor Street to a terminal at Taylor and Bay. This terminus is near to, but two blocks back from, the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf. There are man-powered turntables at each end that turn the cars around. This line is also used greatly by tourists, but also some commuters.

• The California Street (Line 61) line runs due west from a terminal at California and Market Streets, close to the junction of Market with the waterfront Embarcadero. The line once ran a much longer route from Presidio Avenue to Market street but service was reduced in the 1950s. The whole of the line lies on California Street, running at first uphill to the summit of Nob Hill, then more gently downhill to a terminus at Van Ness Avenue. This line is used to a relatively greater extent by commuters.

Describe the history and current events of the buses. Describe the lines and where they go. Where should passengers get on and off? What are some hot spots on each line? What lines are near the bus station?

BART is a heavy-rail public transit system connecting downtown San Francisco with suburbs in the East Bay and northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on 104 miles of track with 43 stations in four counties. With average weekday ridership of 374,949 passengers, BART is the fifth busiest heavy rail rapid transit system in the United States. BART is operated by the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, a special-purpose transit district formed in 1957 covering San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. In some ways, BART is a successor to the Key System, which ran streetcars across the lower deck of the San Francisco Bay Bridge until 1958.

Describe the history and current events of the subway. Describe the subway lines and where they go. Where should passengers get on and off? What lines are near the bus station? What are some hot spots on each line?

Describe the history and current events of the subway. Describe the subway lines and where they go. Where should passengers get on and off? What lines are near the bus station? What are some hot spots on each line?

Is this a city where we need a taxi? Is there some must see spot only accessible by taxi like a national park or secluded beach? Where do find a taxi, how much is it, and how can we save some money here?

Is this a city where we need a rental car? Is there some must see spot only accessible by rental car like a national park or secluded beach? Where do rent a car, how much is it, and how can we save some money here?

In a few sentences describe the best and cheapest places to sleep. Are hotels through the roof or surprisingly affordable off-season like Vegas Sunday - Thursday nights?

Can we sleep at the bus station unfettered or does it close or have surly guards? What about the airport or train station? Is there anywhere nearby to sleep safely and free?

If we use Priceline what neighborhoods/zones should we include in the search and what's a fair bidding price?

Most cities have a hostel or two. Describe a few decent options and tell us how to get there.

Hostel Name

Street
City, State ZIP Code
Telephone: 555 555 5555
Fax: 555 555 5555

Shared Dorms: $XX and up
Private Room: $XX and up

Add $X per person per night for non-members.

Directions:

Custom Directions

Some larger cities have YMCA's with housing. These can be dodgy and might house the city's homeless population. Give details.

YMCA Name

Street
City, State ZIP Code
Telephone: 555 555 5555
Fax: 555 555 5555

Shared Dorms: $XX and up
Private Room: $XX and up

Directions:

Custom Directions

Perhaps the best way to travel the country (and the world), couch surfing is a post-modern concept that shows exactly how useful the Internet can be. Travelers register on-line and search the cities where they want to stay. Members offer the opportunity to host visitors (on their couch, floor, spare room) and describe themselves and their availability in an on-line profile. Then users contact each other, discuss plans, preferences and availability and decide whether to commit to an overnight or extended stay. Both parties have the option to refuse an offer without explanation and with no hurt feelings. The service advertises nearly one million users around the world so if you're ready for an adventure and can plan ahead, consider couch surfing. Interested travelers should visit couchsurfing.com and wikipedia.org to learn more.

By now everyone in the world uses Craigslist so you're probably familiar with the site. It's an on-line bulletin board where users freely post ads for everything from used toothbrushes for sale to erotic adventures. In between you can search for paid vacation and short-term rentals under housing. It means planning ahead and you might have to send a deposit to the advertiser. Most users are honest and intrepid travelers can find an affordable, safe, clean place to stay for a few nights. But if you're going to do this why not try couch surfing first? It's free so if you get to the house and don't like what you see you can leave. You also have the option to chat with your host before you ever leave home and couchsurfing.com offers some degree of reassurance with its referral and verification system. So search the Craigslist postings, but keep couch surfing in the back of your mind.

Most cities offer an eclectic menu of restaurants but some cities are best divided into dining areas by neighborhood. Think about the food options in the city. Pick a few cheap eats, a couple mid-range choices and one exotic option. Try to include places that are either MUST SEE or out of the way and easily missed but deserve a visit. Be creative.

Style (Neighborhood) $

Name
Street
City, State ZIP Code

Telephone: 555 555 5555

Hours:

Describe the restaurant, the clientele, the workers, the food, the neighborhood and the overall experience.

Directions…

Custom Directions

Include a chart like this at the end of your Where to Eat section but update it to reflect local pricing.

Is this city compact and are services easy to find? Describe it in a few sentences.

Does the bus station have lockers? How about a nearby train station or airport? Is there a hotel nearby that can hold our bags?

These can be hard to find and the restrooms at bus stations can be absolutely gross. Give us some tips on where to go, and do we need to bring a handful of quarters?

What's a good souvenir for the city? Where do we buy postcards and key chains? In New York City every corner shop sells postcards but in Tampa where do you go?

Where do we mail our postcards or just buy stamps? In some cities there's a post office on every corner, but in other places you have to drive into the woods to find one. Tell us where to go.

Where, when, and how much? Is wi-fi available? Are libraries open to the traveling public?

Some cities have densely populated neighborhoods that surround the bus station and downtown and thus we're likely to find a grocery store nearby. In other cities you have to hunt and peck but if you look around you'll likely find something near the bus station (think Cleveland). Tell us where to find a nearby grocery store, describe it and the neighborhood as well as the style of food, quality and pricing. How do we get there?

Some cities have densely populated neighborhoods that surround the bus station and downtown and thus we're likely to find a laundry service nearby. In other cities you have to hunt and peck but if you look around you'll likely find something near the bus station (think San Francisco). Tell us where to find a nearby laundromat, describe it and the neighborhood as well as the costs, hours, and times to avoid it. How do we get there?

Hopefully you never need medical care while you're on the road, and if you do we hope that you have medical insurance. In the United States you are guaranteed medical treatment at any hospital's emergency room (ER) regardless of your ability pay even if you are not insured. But each state determines how much care uninsured patients get.

What are the best options for medical care in the city? Think price, accessibility, and care. Are we better off going to an ER or are walk-in clinics the best option? Tell us where to go and how to get there!

NEIGHBORHOOD

Hospital or clinic
Street
City, State ZIP Code

Telephone: 555 555 5555
TDD Phone: 555 555 5555

Directions!

Custom Directions

Describe the city's activities and lifestyle in general. Is it a beach city with a hopping nightlife (Miami) or a quiet college town with some great bookstores? Give us an overview of what to expect and then describe a few free and inexpensive options below.

Place or Activity

Name of place
Street
Telephone: 555 555 5555
Hours:

Description, be creative but objective

Directions

Custom Directions

Same as above but these cost a few dollars each.

Money is no object here. Passengers might not partake in this adventure but tell us about it anyway. Maybe it's worth checking out even if we can't afford it.

If you only have one day in town consider this:

Describe in great detail exactly where to go fore folks who have a day in town, maybe just a few hours. Give us directions from the bus station and phone numbers and price guides. What's the perfect one-day trip?

Introduce a few suggested daytrips here. These spots might not be in town but they should be easy to get to in a day.

Be specific. Where are we going and why? What do we do when we get there and how do we get there? How is this different from the city or neighborhood with the bus station? Really sell this place but make sure it's worth the trip. If it's as good as you say it is then this part should be easy.

Briefly describe how to get in and out of the city. Is the airport far away (Denver)? Are there no trains (Phoenix)? Then describe the airport, trains, and boats in great detail below. This part really matters.

Where's the station? What are the common destinations from here and how often do the trains run? Ten times a day or every other day? Can I find discounts on-line (Chicago!) or is this a pricey train destination (Boston!). How do we get there and what's the station like?

Where's the airport? Is there more than one? What are the common destinations from here and how often do the flights leave? Can I find discounts on-line last minute or am I out of luck? How do we get there and what's the airport like?

Where's the port? What are the common destinations from here and how often do the boats leave? Ten times a day or every other day only in the summer? Can I find discounts on-line last minute? How do we get there and what's the port like?

To learn about a nearby city please select from the list below.

HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA
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