US help.

[Satki General]

Hi all,

I will be flying into SFO (arriving around 3PM) before taking a domestic flight to Las Vegas. Just wanted to know how long should I cater for clearing customs and catching the domestic flight?

I read from tripadvisor and they recommend is 5-6H which I thought was quite long. Is it really necessary to buffer such a long transit? thanks

 

[Parmesean]

Hi all,

I will be flying into SFO (arriving around 3PM) before taking a domestic flight to Las Vegas. Just wanted to know how long should I cater for clearing customs and catching the domestic flight?

I read from tripadvisor and they recommend is 5-6H which I thought was quite long. Is it really necessary to buffer such a long transit? thanks

For domestic flights, I would recommend minimum at least 2 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave.

 

[fone]

Hi all,

I will be flying into SFO (arriving around 3PM) before taking a domestic flight to Las Vegas. Just wanted to know how long should I cater for clearing customs and catching the domestic flight?

I read from tripadvisor and they recommend is 5-6H which I thought was quite long. Is it really necessary to buffer such a long transit? thanks

For domestic flights, I would recommend minimum at least 2 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave.

Remember that you'd have to clear immigration and customs at your first port of entry, which I believe is SFO. This can take anywhere from 15 mins to 2 hours alone. Then, if you did not through check your bags, you'd need to queue again for check in (can take 15 to 60 mins). Then, if they do not have airside transfer, you need to go through security again (can take 15 to 60 mins again). 2 hours you can make it, if everything goes smoothly, however, they can take much longer than that, not including any incoming flight delay here.

 

[Satki General]

Remember that you'd have to clear immigration and customs at your first port of entry, which I believe is SFO. This can take anywhere from 15 mins to 2 hours alone. Then, if you did not through check your bags, you'd need to queue again for check in (can take 15 to 60 mins). Then, if they do not have airside transfer, you need to go through security again (can take 15 to 60 mins again). 2 hours you can make it, if everything goes smoothly, however, they can take much longer than that, not including any incoming flight delay here.

Thanks, I myself would probably buffer about 3 to 4H which I think would be a safe estimate. However, after reading TA I am beginning to doubt my estimate. But 4H should be plenty of time I guess?

 

[Parmesean]

Thanks, I myself would probably buffer about 3 to 4H which I think would be a safe estimate. However, after reading TA I am beginning to doubt my estimate. But 4H should be plenty of time I guess?

Yup, 4hrs definitely should cut it. I've been in the US for the past 4 weeks, and so far, it's been great. If you've already cleared immigration, then generally 2 hrs should cut it if you are planning to go anywhere else domestically.

 

[invisible999]

Hi all,

I will be flying into SFO (arriving around 3PM) before taking a domestic flight to Las Vegas. Just wanted to know how long should I cater for clearing customs and catching the domestic flight?

If you plan to go to US once a year or more often, you can seriously cut immigration time if you apply and get Global Entry. It is US equivalent of Singapore automated gates.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-...nts/singapore/global-entry-singapore-citizens

 

[weekhiang]

If going to only Houston...1 week enough ?

 

[Parmesean]

If going to only Houston...1 week enough ?

It would depend on what you plan to accomplish, but a week in Houston should be sufficient to cover most of the touristy things

 

[weekhiang]

It would depend on what you plan to accomplish, but a week in Houston should be sufficient to cover most of the touristy things

thank you for the reply...

 

[patryn33]

If going to only Houston...1 week enough ?

Was in Houston last year, 1 week should be enough. Will be a relaxing trip

 

[Joseison]

Thanks to this HWZ community, I managed to get tips and information!

I will be in SF for the 1st time and for almost 2 months (Jan - end Mar) for a work trip. Spouse and a 4yo will be coming along too. Accommodation wise will be in Hayes Valley district and we got ourselves a rental car with Avis.

Any recommendation on cars?
From what I saw on Avis standard car list - Class D: Standard Size
- Buick Verano
- Chrysler 200
- Subaru Legacy

As for what to do in SF for these 2 months - I guess most of the free time we get to walk around/explore the city as a family will be evenings and weekends. If you have some places (or even family friendly places) in mind that we should really explore/eat/have fun, please let me know.

Some attractions we are looking at:
Miur Woods
Alcatraz Island
Pier 39
Fisherman Wharf
Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point
Twin Peaks
Union Square - for shopping
Yosemite National Park
Saks Fifth Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus Last Call - outlet shopping (thanks to Shiny Things)

Lastly, probably flying over to LA for Disneyland on one of the weekends.

Should we do Grand Canyon,Las Vegas? Seems like a very long drive from SF and I'm the only driver.

Hope to hear from you guys!

 

[weekhiang]

May want to try those huge GMC cars...not always have the opportunity to drove those fuel guzzlers. lolx

Since you will be there for 2 mths, you have plenty of time to settle down and plan.

Can try the Cheesecake Factory at SFO near to Union Sq...esp the desserts.
Lombard, crookedest street in SFO...lolx
Fisherman wharf / Pier39 - Eat the seafood there, FRESH. Clam Chowder.
You may want to get the Hop On/Off tickets.
Golden Gate
Cable car tram rides

Will be a long ride if you going to Vegas and Canyon...1 driver very shag. Suggest you to do night stay in Vegas and Canyon at both stops.

Thanks to this HWZ community, I managed to get tips and information!

I will be in SF for the 1st time and for almost 2 months (Jan - end Mar) for a work trip. Spouse and a 4yo will be coming along too. Accommodation wise will be in Hayes Valley district and we got ourselves a rental car with Avis.

Any recommendation on cars?
From what I saw on Avis standard car list - Class D: Standard Size
- Buick Verano
- Chrysler 200
- Subaru Legacy

As for what to do in SF for these 2 months - I guess most of the free time we get to walk around/explore the city as a family will be evenings and weekends. If you have some places (or even family friendly places) in mind that we should really explore/eat/have fun, please let me know.

Some attractions we are looking at:
Miur Woods
Alcatraz Island
Pier 39
Fisherman Wharf
Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point
Twin Peaks
Union Square - for shopping
Yosemite National Park
Saks Fifth Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus Last Call - outlet shopping (thanks to Shiny Things)

Lastly, probably flying over to LA for Disneyland on one of the weekends.

Should we do Grand Canyon,Las Vegas? Seems like a very long drive from SF and I'm the only driver.

Hope to hear from you guys!

 

[Shiny Things]

Thanks to this HWZ community, I managed to get tips and information!

I will be in SF for the 1st time and for almost 2 months (Jan - end Mar) for a work trip. Spouse and a 4yo will be coming along too. Accommodation wise will be in Hayes Valley district and we got ourselves a rental car with Avis.

Any recommendation on cars?

Where are you going to be parking? Parking in Hayes Valley is an absolute shitshow unless you've got an assigned parking space in your building.

As for what to do in SF for these 2 months - I guess most of the free time we get to walk around/explore the city as a family will be evenings and weekends. If you have some places (or even family friendly places) in mind that we should really explore/eat/have fun, please let me know.

Over and above your list, you'll want to go to the Cal Academy and the Exploratorium - both very kid-friendly science museums, and both a ton of fun. Take the ferry over to Sausalito one weekend, you'll love it. And pop over to Half Moon Bay and Pacifica - they're cute little seaside towns just down the road from SF, and both have plenty of things to do.

Should we do Grand Canyon,Las Vegas? Seems like a very long drive from SF and I'm the only driver.

Las Vegas: absolutely yes! You can fly there from San Francisco in an hour-and-a-half, spend a weekend in Vegas, and then fly back Sunday afternoon.

The Grand Canyon's a bit trickier, because it's basically "fly to Vegas and then drive another four hours". If you can swing a three- or four-day weekend at some point, that'd be the time to do it.

 

[invisible999]

Fisherman wharf / Pier39 - Eat the seafood there

Asking for Shiny's confirmation, but when I was living in SF Bay Area for 15 years, one of the thing was to DO NOT eat seafood 'next to water/touristy places'.

 

[fzhfzh]

In SF my favorite is Sotto Mare’s “best damn cioppino”. Crab and other seafood cooked in tomato based sauce with penne pasta. It’s amazing stuff. Every time my gf go sf to shop I ask her to tabao it back.

 

[fzhfzh]

Asking for Shiny's confirmation, but when I was living in SF Bay Area for 15 years, one of the thing was to DO NOT eat seafood 'next to water/touristy places'.

Fisherman wharf is pretty touristy. So the food there is going to be expensive and so so. If you want get really fresh and good seafood. Go to Pillar point habor around half moon bay in the morning. But seafood off a fishing boat there and go to a nearby restaurant and have them cook it. I go there every few weekends during dungeoness crab season. Can get 5 huge live crabs for like 50 dollars, then just steam them at home.

 

[Parmesean]

Lastly, probably flying over to LA for Disneyland on one of the weekends.

Hope to hear from you guys!

Regarding Disneyland, I would recommend at least 3 days devoted to it, and get a park hopper, it comes in really useful.

Have you considered driving down the pacific highway from San Francisco, it's a beautiful drive, amazing scenery. It is a 10 hour drive though, so....

Regarding driving in SF, parking gets really expensive, but if you have a place to park, then sure. Most SF natives just Uber or Lyft everywhere, so that is something to consider.

 

[Joseison]

Thanks weekhiang! Will definitely go try out the Cheescake Factory

May want to try those huge GMC cars...not always have the opportunity to drove those fuel guzzlers. lolx

Since you will be there for 2 mths, you have plenty of time to settle down and plan.

Can try the Cheesecake Factory at SFO near to Union Sq...esp the desserts.
Lombard, crookedest street in SFO...lolx
Fisherman wharf / Pier39 - Eat the seafood there, FRESH. Clam Chowder.
You may want to get the Hop On/Off tickets.
Golden Gate
Cable car tram rides

Will be a long ride if you going to Vegas and Canyon...1 driver very shag. Suggest you to do night stay in Vegas and Canyon at both stops.

 

[Joseison]

Thanks Shiny Things! Glad to hear from you!
I'm one of the readers for your book - Rich by Retirement

Yup I do have an assigned parking space within my accommodation but I was reading review, the car garage is another shitshow as well

Added all of your recommendations to my list!
As for Vegas, I will squeeze in a few more days to explore Grand Canyon since I'm already in U.S.

Where are you going to be parking? Parking in Hayes Valley is an absolute shitshow unless you've got an assigned parking space in your building.



Over and above your list, you'll want to go to the Cal Academy and the Exploratorium - both very kid-friendly science museums, and both a ton of fun. Take the ferry over to Sausalito one weekend, you'll love it. And pop over to Half Moon Bay and Pacifica - they're cute little seaside towns just down the road from SF, and both have plenty of things to do.



Las Vegas: absolutely yes! You can fly there from San Francisco in an hour-and-a-half, spend a weekend in Vegas, and then fly back Sunday afternoon.

The Grand Canyon's a bit trickier, because it's basically "fly to Vegas and then drive another four hours". If you can swing a three- or four-day weekend at some point, that'd be the time to do it.

 

[Joseison]

Wow, just by looking at the photo, got me all hungry already.

Thanks for recommending it! Will add it to my list too!

In SF my favorite is Sotto Mare’s “best damn cioppino”. Crab and other seafood cooked in tomato based sauce with penne pasta. It’s amazing stuff. Every time my gf go sf to shop I ask her to tabao it back.