TravelSkills editor Chris McGinnis capturing a moment on the top of SFO’s shapely new control tower (Image: Doug Yakel)
I fly a lot. And that means I have spent an inordinate amount of time at airports over the course of my frequent flying career. Luckily, most airports have improved immensely over the last few decades, but there are still some that I love a lot more than others.
Not surprisingly, one that sits at the top of my list is my hometown airport San Francisco International (SFO). So when National Car Rental asked me to write up a sponsored post about tips, advice and secrets about SFO, I jumped at the chance. So here we go:
SFO’s secret Garden Patio by Terminal 1 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
1>A SECRET GARDEN. Regrettably, SFO does not yet offer any outdoor terraces from which to view the tarmac, but that should change when a new Grand Hyatt opens on airport grounds (mid-2019) offering views from a rooftop bar. In the meantime, the SFO gardeners, who stay busy keeping the plants inside the airport thriving, recently created a gorgeous outdoor space for airport employees to take a break—but anyone, including passengers, can also enjoy the space surrounded by a verdant collection of drought-tolerant plants and succulents. It’s located outside Terminal 1. (More details) NOTE: New construction around Terminal 1 has encroached a bit on the Secret Garden, but it’s still a nice place to chill out!
New secret passage between Boarding Areas C and D (Image: SFO)
2>SECRET PASSAGE. One of SFO’s biggest achievements is the recent re-do of Terminal 2 (T2), now a standard bearer in airport design and amenities. The light and airy facility houses the operations of American and Virgin America and offers fresh, healthy food provided by local restaurants, mod hotel-style furnishings, awesome runway views, water bottle refill stations, and a constantly changing museum exhibition. It was one of the first airport terminals to receive LEED certification. Last year the marvels of T2 opened up to even more flyers when the airport completed a behind-security passageway connecting it to Delta’s more prosaic wing of Terminal 1 (T1). Unfortunately, a similar passageway does not connect T2 with United’s bustling and always-crowded Terminal 3. (SFO map here)
Don’t miss: Inside look at SFO’s shapely new control tower! (PHOTOS)
Food trucks at SFO on Thursdays! (Image: SFO)
3>FOOD TRUCKS. If you are stuck in a fog or rain delay at SFO (regrettably common) and have a hankering to hang with some locals, dine at a food truck! Every Thursday at lunchtime (11 am-2 pm), the airport allows local food trucks to line an unused portion of the upper deck (departures level) of Terminal 1. For a truly San Francisco experience, grab a mission-style burrito, easily the city’s most loved (and consumed) meal. After a meal like that, you’ll sleep well on the plane, I assure you.
SFO built one of the first centralized car rental centers (Image: SFO)
4>HITTING THE ROAD. Most folks flying into SFO and renting cars are headed to Silicon Valley (30 mins south), Wine Country (1-2 hours north), or Monterey, Big Sur or Carmel (2 hours south). Luckily SFO’s AirTrain (Blue line) connects all terminals to a nearby centralized car rental facility. In a hurry? National’s Emerald Club members get on the road faster than others because, once off the AirTrain, they bypass the counter and simply walk to the car of their choice (the keys are in it), load up and hit the road. No lengthy wait to check in, get keys or sign contracts. And if the sun is out, consider upgrading to a convertible on the spot! This is California after all, right?
Best spot for plane spotting at SFO in United’s Terminal 3 (Image: SFO)
5>A PLACE FOR AVGEEKS. Most frequent travelers like me are also aviation geeks. To us there’s not much better than a day of plane spotting, and no better airport than SFO to do so. As the Bay Area economy has bubbled over in recent years, airlines from all corners of the world are fighting to add nonstop service. As a result, tarmacs are full of beautiful and exotic birds from around the world. One of the best places to watch planes take off and land is in the newest section of United’s Terminal 3 called “T3E.” At the very end of this concourse (near gates 65 and 66) you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking runways where giant jumbos take off, bound for Europe, Asia, the South Seas or the Middle East. The best daylight hours for plane spotting run from about 1 pm until 3 pm. If that is not enough to sate your interest, check out SFO’s Aviation Museum, tucked away in a corner of the international terminal. It’s chock full of constantly-changing, super-size model aircraft hanging from the ceiling, plus aviation exhibits (like collections of vintage flight attendant uniforms, or in-flight amenity kits). Entry to the museum is free of charge and open to the public.
6>RELAX! These days, SFO is a super busy, sometimes hectic place. So finding a spot to chill out, regroup or practice your downward facing dog is essential. Back when SFO opened its state-of-the-art Terminal 2, it opened a “yoga room.” While SFO’s yoga room is not that much different than the chapels or meditation rooms found in other airports (except for the yoga mats), the concept was a PR coup for the airport. It’s tough to find any story about SFO that does not include mention of. Yes, that is yoga “rooms” plural: Just last year, the airport opened a second yoga room in United’s Terminal 3.
Disclosure: Thank you for reading TravelSkills! We will periodically send out messages like this one from commercial partners about topics relevant to frequent travel. Our sponsors’ support, and yours, help us keep TravelSkills a free publication. This post is sponsored by National Car Rental.
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patrick boury says
March 19, 2017 at 9:31 pmWell you and your fellow gate agents just keep laughing and asking yourselves “when are you going to learn, just like the rest of the media”. I flew C-17’s in Afghanistan and countless countries in between for years and the universal word used by those of us who actually fly planes is ‘tarmac’.
Bryant Petitt says
July 19, 2016 at 9:21 amThanks Chris for your very prompt reply. After working for Delta for 13 years (and many years on the ramp and ticket counter/gates , and many other friends in the Airline (ground) profession, I became very annoyed with this misuse of this term. OK, I am probably overreacting to this, but as you say, the general public has gotten used to this term.
Chris McGinnis says
July 19, 2016 at 7:54 amThanks, B. I think this is one of those situations where two separate words have become interchangeable. Also, you’d have to include “apron” in this conversation to be precise. When you say either ramp or tarmac, the reader knows what you are talking about. It’s almost like “direct” vs “nonstop” flights… technically two different things, but nowadays used interchangeably.
Bryant Petitt says
July 19, 2016 at 4:28 amChris, when are you going to learn, just like the rest of the media, “Tarmac” is a very incorrect term for the “Ramp”. “Tarmac” originated as a British term for the asphalt paved areas surrounding the ramp. As any long-time Airline employee, like myself, we laugh at journalists who use this totally inaccurate term.
cahdot says
July 12, 2016 at 9:06 pmand u cannot get to the amex centurion lounge if u are on delta!!! crazy as it is in term 3 united and international!!!!!!
cahdot says
July 12, 2016 at 9:05 pmSERIOUSLY why can’t T2 and T1 connect to T 3 archaic nuts!!!!!!! and the old food vendors had to leave sad when the construction took place they were cheaper and the employees used them alot!!!!! what were the engineers thinking it’s like LAX years ago they have tried to get it together??? why not SFO they make enough in taxes$$$$$$ to be able to do something to organize the whole airport???????
Ken says
July 11, 2016 at 1:22 pmThat is the point. SFO is a terrible design same as LAX. In 2013, a Travel+Leisure magazine readers’ poll named PDX as the best US airport, based on its on-time record, dining, shopping, and mass transportation into the main parts of the city.[4] In 2015, 10 new restaurants were opened at PDX, making it a “foodie haven” according to travelers.
Atlanta and Chicago are the considered the busiest and both have good food selections. DFW and Denver are the largest in size but Denver is much nicer than DFW.
You can’t compare to International Airports as they are totally different. Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore put any US airport to shame.
FL says
July 11, 2016 at 9:06 amDoes anyone know if and when T2 will be connected to T3 post-security? Also, the passageway from T2 to T1 post security has a yoga room.
Joe Thomas says
July 8, 2016 at 5:01 pmMunich had the best airport food I’ve ever eaten at their beergarden
Joe Thomas says
July 8, 2016 at 4:59 pmPortland had the best airport wine bar I’ve ever visited, all Oregon wines. Sadly closed
Joe Thomas says
July 8, 2016 at 4:57 pmSFO T3 is a dream. Plenty of outlets with seats, and interesting places to eat and drink. It is a much better spot to burn a 3hr layover than the international terminal. T3 also has the most efficient TSA pre-check I’ve seen in my hundreds of domestic flights since 9/11
Brad says
July 6, 2016 at 10:56 amYou’re delirious if you think Portland has more variety than SFO, and why would it surprise you that Atlanta, the world’s largest airport, would have more options than an airport half it’s size? Frankfurt, Munich, and even Heathrow put all of your examples to shame.
Regardless, the unfortunate part of any airport is that passengers rarely get access to all the good stuff in a single terminal. Passengers at SFO’s T1 terminal, for example, would be left wanting, as would passengers in Heathrow’s T3, or T1 at Charles de Gaulle.
Ken says
July 6, 2016 at 8:06 amYou are mistaken. If you traveled more you would realize it. San Diego for example has laws that specify the maximum premium that in airport shops can charge. Other airports are like a mini mall. Have you been to Atlanta? Charlotte? Seattle? Portland? THey have plenty of shops and good inexpensive food. If you travel every week you are not going to bring food from home.
You_Rebel_Scum says
July 5, 2016 at 10:38 pmOh honey, all airport food is expensive. If you’re on a budget, bring your own food and an empty bottle to refill with water.
Lack of interesting shops? This isn’t a mall. And compared to other airports in the US, the shops at SFO are way better and many are unique.
R94110 says
July 5, 2016 at 8:49 pmThere is a non-denom meditation room in the international terminal as well.
SFO or Charlotte? Hmm, sushi or hot dogs?
Ken says
July 5, 2016 at 5:24 pmSFO is terrible. I am not sure why he llkes it? Even the so-called “new” terminal 2 is terrible. There is no normal “food” vendors that a normal person on a budget will want to eat, let alone if you have kids. There is minimal outlets. There are a lack of interesting shops to spend time in or to pick up something to eat on the go. Other airports are much more flier friendly. A yoga room to relax? Who is going to do yoga while traveling? How about a relaxation room with comfortable chairs, TV’s, outlets, and fast internet. Tampa and Charlotte are much nicer and flier friendly than “new” SFO.
Moises Castillo says
July 5, 2016 at 2:22 pmAnother “secret” is that SamTrans offers great service to/from SFO: from downtown SF all the way down to Palo Alto. All at a fraction of the price of BART and especially a cab. Just don’t fully expect to haul anything larger than a carry-on with you. Praise the KX, 292, 397, and 398.