Information for first time visitors to San Francisco

This article is meant for first time visitors (especially from India) to San Francisco.
If you are arriving at the San Francisco International airport (SFO), you may want to carry a jersey any time of the year as SF is known for its cold and breezy conditions. It takes approximately 30-45 minutes to collect your luggage and come out of the immigration area into the main reception area where you can meet your friends/relatives who are awaiting you.
Making Phone calls:
In case you want to call someone over the pay phone, remember to carry lot of quarters (25Cents) and you will find lot of pay phones at the air port. It may cost you 50 cents to make a local call. There are 7 digits for a local number. You dont need to key in the area code while making a local call.
If you have to make a long distance call ( area code other than 415) , dial 1 +area code+7 digit phone number.
Modes of transportation available at SFO Airport:
1. Taxis
2. Air train
3. Shuttle Buses

Taxis: It costs $2 /mile as of today (April, 2009). A drive from SFO to San Jose costs around $120. Typically 4 can travel in a taxi.
Air Train: You can avail the Airtrain (free service) to move between terminals, to reach BART ( rail system) or to reach the Caltrain( another rail system) station at Milbrae. You can find more information on Airtrain at http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/atsfo/airtrain/faq/.
3. Shuttle Buses are also available at the SFO airport for different destinations.

Always carry your contact's name , address and phone number. Lot of friendly people are out there to help you.
Take care and have a safe trip to San Francisco.
Sankara
Resident of San Jose, CA