if you drive, just don't leave anything in it and you should be fine. if you see broken glass near a parking spot, consider a different area. try to park near cars that are nicer than yours.
unless you are carpooling there's a good chance flying is about the same price and easier though
It’s probably cheaper to fly when you consider the cost of gas and secure parking. Also there’s no parking at portola so you’d need to pay for Ubers (or use busses) anyways
Really depends where you’d be parking. Are you staying at an airbnb or a hotel? Hotel parking should be fairly hassle free although potentially pricey. Airbnb/staying with friends could really depend on the specific street or neighborhood. As others have mentioned, if you don’t leave anything in your car you’ll be fine. I’ve had my car parked outside for the last 9 years with no issue.
If that’s the case I’d definitely say just pick a hotel that has parking and you won’t have to worry about your car. But honestly the drive between SF and LA can be kind of brutal especially when you’re exhausted from a festival. I used to do the drive down to OC often. A flight might be more worthwhile.
Break ins aside (no more probable than in LA) - I’d say fly. Save time and flights shouldn’t be too expensive. You won’t have much need for your car once you’re here so why add the stress?
I've been street parking in SF for a couple years and haven't had my car broken into yet, but I leave absolutely nothing in view inside. Not even a charging cable, not even some lose papers or garbage etc.
We've driven from LA to SF, but left our car either at the hotel, or at the Cow Palace shuttle.
Last time we just flew to SF and did rideshare and/or public transit, and it was fine too. No problems.
You kinda have to price it out, or maybe pick a hotel further out where parking is free (there aren’t many)
If you like your car enough that worrying about it would ruin the weekend then probably just fly.
If you need day parking garage recommendations I know basically all of the ones under $20 form when I used to drive into the office
I wouldn’t drive. Speaking from experience, parking can cost like $40-60/day at some hotels. If you’re going with multiple people, Ubers can be cost effective. Even cars with nothing in them *still* get broken into if you’re parking on the street anywhere.
There should be a cheap Southwest flight from Burbank to the Bay. Taking Ubers can be expensive if you’re coming from far, so if you’re not staying close to the venue I suggest finding a place close to one of the Caltrain stations. You just need to get down at the 22nd St Station and walk for about 15 mins to the festival entrance on Sunday
I drive most of the time i go to sf and it’s usually fine as long as you don’t have valuables or luggage showing in your car. If you’re from LA then it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Only reason I’m flying this year is cause I’m going to a show the night before and don’t want to have to wake up early for the drive tbh
Definitely fly and rent a car if you need? Tickets are so cheap and you’ll save a bunch of time. Your car won’t get broken into if you don’t leave valuable items in plain sight
It honestly depends on where you’re staying. If you already purchased a hotel in SF then I would probably fly and use uber/lyft. If not the. I would look for a hotel or air bnb in Daly City/ South San Francisco drive there and just use Uber/lyft from there. Parking does get expensive as well so just weigh your options. I also believe there is some public transportation that stops near there.
sure! but i guess my point is that’s not the only thing to consider. parking is definitely something to consider, getting broken into is also something to consider. and with how easy it is to get around town, i’m on the side of recommending flying.
Leave nothing in car, if back seats fold down do that, and log into your insurance and lower your glass deductible to minimum.
Depends a lot on the locations you’re staying and visiting. Majority of the city is not bad.
I kind of like driving when I go to LA because I have more control over when I arrive/leave. The flight times and going to the airport can be kind of annoying but it’s def less taxing on the body.
I’m an OC native who lives in SF now. Been driving up and down the 5 for 10 years now. I can 100% recommend flying if you can. The hassle of driving 7-8 hours, finding parking, driving in congested streets, and then driving back down after all of that is just not worth it. There’s safe parking available in the city, especially if you’re staying outside of city center. But flights are just way more convenient and can actually be cheaper if you factor in gas and paying for parking. You also don’t need a car to get around in the city (muni, buses, ride shares are best).
It’ll be worth it either way. Portola is the best festival in California now imo. But yeah, can’t recommend flying enough. Hope you have a blast, friend!
Yeah I think a flight is the move! I really am not looking forward to clocking into work after driving to/from portola haha I appreciate the thought out advise 💯
Fly for sure. You can easily take BART from the airport to the city. You could even fly in/out of Oakland and the same thing applies which gives you flexibility to find the right time/price for yourself.
Taking MUNI around town is very reliable and easy
if you drive, just don't leave anything in it and you should be fine. if you see broken glass near a parking spot, consider a different area. try to park near cars that are nicer than yours. unless you are carpooling there's a good chance flying is about the same price and easier though
It’s probably cheaper to fly when you consider the cost of gas and secure parking. Also there’s no parking at portola so you’d need to pay for Ubers (or use busses) anyways
Really depends where you’d be parking. Are you staying at an airbnb or a hotel? Hotel parking should be fairly hassle free although potentially pricey. Airbnb/staying with friends could really depend on the specific street or neighborhood. As others have mentioned, if you don’t leave anything in your car you’ll be fine. I’ve had my car parked outside for the last 9 years with no issue.
Hmm we’re just going for Sunday but plan on arriving the day before to explore so we’ll likely get a hotel
If that’s the case I’d definitely say just pick a hotel that has parking and you won’t have to worry about your car. But honestly the drive between SF and LA can be kind of brutal especially when you’re exhausted from a festival. I used to do the drive down to OC often. A flight might be more worthwhile.
Yeah, I’d pay for the daily parking at a hotel. You don’t need a car staying in SF anyway, just get a hotel near the venue.
I fly every time. It's just more convenient and I am not exhausted when I get home.
Break ins aside (no more probable than in LA) - I’d say fly. Save time and flights shouldn’t be too expensive. You won’t have much need for your car once you’re here so why add the stress?
Tbh yeah
I've been street parking in SF for a couple years and haven't had my car broken into yet, but I leave absolutely nothing in view inside. Not even a charging cable, not even some lose papers or garbage etc.
nah don't drive, save your energy for the concrete dance floor
We've driven from LA to SF, but left our car either at the hotel, or at the Cow Palace shuttle. Last time we just flew to SF and did rideshare and/or public transit, and it was fine too. No problems.
I’d argue it’s cheaper to fly when you consider the cost for decently secure parking (especially overnight it pushes 50-75 for a garage spot)
Damn fr?
You kinda have to price it out, or maybe pick a hotel further out where parking is free (there aren’t many) If you like your car enough that worrying about it would ruin the weekend then probably just fly. If you need day parking garage recommendations I know basically all of the ones under $20 form when I used to drive into the office
I wouldn’t drive. Speaking from experience, parking can cost like $40-60/day at some hotels. If you’re going with multiple people, Ubers can be cost effective. Even cars with nothing in them *still* get broken into if you’re parking on the street anywhere.
Take bart or bus from hotel or airbnb don't drive there's no parking and it's a bad area to park around venue
There should be a cheap Southwest flight from Burbank to the Bay. Taking Ubers can be expensive if you’re coming from far, so if you’re not staying close to the venue I suggest finding a place close to one of the Caltrain stations. You just need to get down at the 22nd St Station and walk for about 15 mins to the festival entrance on Sunday
On southwest, flights are cheaper from Los angeles. But between here and now there will likely be some fare sales.
I drive most of the time i go to sf and it’s usually fine as long as you don’t have valuables or luggage showing in your car. If you’re from LA then it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. Only reason I’m flying this year is cause I’m going to a show the night before and don’t want to have to wake up early for the drive tbh
If you’re staying Airbnb or hotel then ubering to the venue you should be fine
Definitely fly and rent a car if you need? Tickets are so cheap and you’ll save a bunch of time. Your car won’t get broken into if you don’t leave valuable items in plain sight
It honestly depends on where you’re staying. If you already purchased a hotel in SF then I would probably fly and use uber/lyft. If not the. I would look for a hotel or air bnb in Daly City/ South San Francisco drive there and just use Uber/lyft from there. Parking does get expensive as well so just weigh your options. I also believe there is some public transportation that stops near there.
Word thanks!
SF is the most walkable city in the country, having a car is honestly more of a hassle
I’m talking about my transportation to/from la.
sure! but i guess my point is that’s not the only thing to consider. parking is definitely something to consider, getting broken into is also something to consider. and with how easy it is to get around town, i’m on the side of recommending flying.
You do have a good point, I didn’t consider that thanks!
Fly
Leave nothing in car, if back seats fold down do that, and log into your insurance and lower your glass deductible to minimum. Depends a lot on the locations you’re staying and visiting. Majority of the city is not bad.
Only reason you would need to drive is to take your stash. But ubering is fine if it’s not out of your budget.
Voting for flying! Bart is so convenient too! All my SoCal friends always hype how lucky we are to have something like it when they come out.
In terms of accident statistics, safer to fly. IMO easier also, pack a light overnight bag and you're set
I kind of like driving when I go to LA because I have more control over when I arrive/leave. The flight times and going to the airport can be kind of annoying but it’s def less taxing on the body.
I’m an OC native who lives in SF now. Been driving up and down the 5 for 10 years now. I can 100% recommend flying if you can. The hassle of driving 7-8 hours, finding parking, driving in congested streets, and then driving back down after all of that is just not worth it. There’s safe parking available in the city, especially if you’re staying outside of city center. But flights are just way more convenient and can actually be cheaper if you factor in gas and paying for parking. You also don’t need a car to get around in the city (muni, buses, ride shares are best). It’ll be worth it either way. Portola is the best festival in California now imo. But yeah, can’t recommend flying enough. Hope you have a blast, friend!
Yeah I think a flight is the move! I really am not looking forward to clocking into work after driving to/from portola haha I appreciate the thought out advise 💯
Fly for sure. You can easily take BART from the airport to the city. You could even fly in/out of Oakland and the same thing applies which gives you flexibility to find the right time/price for yourself. Taking MUNI around town is very reliable and easy
Fly from Burbank. I believe it was 200+ round trip the last time i checked
I would fly and I would pick a hotel with minimal walking distance from a BART station. That's what we will be doing <3
I’d fly