Travel & Safety
Travel tips
For people coming from the SFO Airport: SFO to San Francisco in 30 minutes for only $5.35!* BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) provides one of the world's best airport-to-downtown train services. BART takes you downtown in 30 minutes for only $5.35 one-way or $10.70 round trip. It's the fast, inexpensive way to get to San Francisco. The BART station is located in the SFO International Terminal. It's only a five-minute walk from Terminal Three and a 10-minute walk from Terminal One. Both terminals have connecting walkways to the International Terminal. You can also take the free SFO Airtrain to the BART station. Click here for more information about taking BART from the Airport.
Getting around town
The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Embarcadero station is directly in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. www.BART.gov We recommend BART as the best way to get to the Hyatt Regency SF.
People around here swear by ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. Set it up in your smartphone now, and you can use it at the event. Now is the time to put the local taxi cab number in your phone. Yellow Cab is (415) 333-3333 and Desoto is (877) 691-2170.
Travel directions to the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Embarcadero Hotel
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco is located on Market Street across from the Ferry Building and next to the Embarcadero BART station.
It's never been easier to get to our conference. You can drive or take a bus, ferry, BART, cable car, or taxi. If you have any questions or get lost, please call the Hyatt Regency at 415-788-1234.
Parking options
The Hyatt Hotel garage in Embarcadero 3 is $37.00 for 24-hours of self-parking (no in/out privileges), and $85 if you Valet park at the hotel, which includes in/out privileges.
Other nearby garages
175 Drumm St. about .1 miles away. 3 Embarcadero Center at 266 Davis St. also .1 miles away. 2 Embarcadero Center at 291 Davis St. Search Google Maps for parking in the area or use SpotHero for other options.
Other transportation options
Airport Taxi
Taxis are available from the lower level of each terminal at SFO. Travel time is generally 30 minutes. The cost is around $85-$110.
Airport Bus
Shared-ride shuttle vans are available from the upper level of each terminal at SFO. Transportation time is generally 30 to 45 minutes. Cost is $5 and up.
Airport Uber/Lyft
Uber and Lyft may make you share your ride with other people at the airport going to downtown San Francisco, but you'll save money. The cost is approximately $10.
BART
Take BART to the Embarcadero station. It is best to use the Drumm Street exit once you exit the station, but all exits are close to the hotel. Walk up the steps or take the escalator to the entrance to The Hyatt Regency Hotel. For schedules and station information, visit www.bart.gov.
Cal Train
Take #30 or #45 bus on 4th St. to Market St. from the train station. Transfer to any bus going down (right) on Market St. to the hotel.
Ferry
From the Ferry Building, walk across the Embarcadero, then cross the street to the foot of Market Street to the Hyatt Hotel entrance.
Cable Car
The California line stops in front of the hotel.
Muni Bus
All underground vehicles stop at Embarcadero. Most buses on the street stop within walking distance of hotel. Fare is $3 Adult, Seniors $1.50. You can ride Muni the entire day for a $5 single fare. This does not include the cable cars. Get this on your phone using the Muni Mobile App. You can also purchase passports 1 Day ($12), 3 Days ($29), and 7 Days ($39) onto your Clipper Card at the ticket machines only. The passports are in effect the day of purchase. Passports can also be purchased at the SF Visitors Information Center, the Public Transit Kiosk located at Powell & Market St. and at all Walgreens. Passports are good for MUNI transportation only: buses, cable cars, streetcars, and the underground metro. They are not valid on BART, other transit systems, tour buses, or transportation to and from the San Francisco International Airport. For further information about schedules and fares visit http://www.sfmta.com.
More on transportation
Clipper Card
Clipper Card is a Smartcard for electronic fare payment throughout the Bay Area. It can be used on MUNI, BART, Cal Train, Sam Trans, AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit, and VTA. The Clipper card is very convenient. It is less expensive than paying cash. When paying cash, the buses do not give you change if you do not have the exact amount. A Clipper card ($3 fee, waived if you use your mobile phone) can be purchased and reloaded at most ticket machines and at all Walgreen's stores. Money can be added to the Clipper card in the BART stations, too. Clipper Card offers MAJOR DISCOUNTS for students and seniors, but these cards must be purchased in advance. For details on Clipper Cards, go to: https://www.bart.gov/tickets/sales
San Francisco safety tips
- Always be alert to your surroundings.
- Whenever possible, park and walk in well-lit areas.
- Stay alert when using electronic devices. Limit your distractions.
- Do not ever leave your personal belongings unattended.
- Place your valuables in your hotel room safe or the hotel's security deposit box.
- Do not hang purses on the back of chairs, especially in restaurants.
- Do not leave valuables in your car. If you have packages, put them in your trunk.
- Do not leave anything visible in your car.
- Do not keep a wallet, credit cards, or cash in a backpack. If you are in a crowd, consider carrying the backpack in front of you, especially on crowded buses. Pickpockets can easily and quickly remove items from a backpack without being noticed by the owner.
San Francisco Visitors Information Center (SFTravel)
Located at 900 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415) 391‑2000
You get information about things to do and places to eat. They have a map with all the places to visit with a transportation guide on how to get there by public transportation. Their website is www.sftravel.com.
Safety notice
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending SFWC, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree to follow the guidelines set in place by the SFWC team. These safety procedures are not just to keep you safe but to ensure the good health of everyone else at the conference, especially those among us who are immunodeficient or just uneasy about interacting in large crowds without protection.
Masks and Vaccination:
For all SFWC 2024 events, masking is now recommended, not required. Additionally, proof of vaccination or COVID tests will not be required. This policy will be implemented barring changes in local or regional governmental restrictions.
SFWC 2024 Conference Attendees:
We recommend continuing to wear masks at the conference, especially indoors in sessions if a room is full. We also recommend masking as you travel to the conference in airplanes or on any other form of public transit. Many presenters have reported zero travel illnesses since masking. Our conference is in February, the heart of flu season. Presenters plan to keep masking on airplanes for their own health and happiness and advise you to do the same.
We will continue to have masks and hand sanitizer available at registration, and we will continue our policy of offering a deferment to the next conference for anyone who must cancel at the last minute due to illness. If you are visibly ill, you may be asked to leave.
San Francisco Writers Conference