Which airport: SFO, OAK or SJC? (San Jose, Oakland: how much, home, driving) - San Francisco - Oakland - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

susie25 · 08-12-2011, 06:22 PM

Hi, we're flying to CA on Labor Day for a week in the Monterey area. Depending on the airline, we can arrive at SFO, OAK or SJC. Will probably arrive between 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Is the drive from one airport much better or worse than others? Any suggested routes? I'm hoping Labor Day traffic will be lighter than usual, but maybe not?

Also, we can fly back home Sunday or Monday, departing in the afternoon. How much time should we allow for the drive from Monterey to airport, and would Sunday be preferable to Monday (traffic)? Sunday is 9/11/11 and I'm a little hesitant to fly on that day.

Thanks for any advice!

cardinal2007 · 08-12-2011, 06:28 PM

Flying to SFO or OAK instead of SJC will add 45min - 1.5hrs driving time, depending on traffic. From SJC to Monterrey you can either take 101 to Rt. 1, or take 87 to 85 to 101 to Rt. 1, I would not suggest taking Hwy 17.

susie25 · 08-12-2011, 06:44 PM

Thank you!

mayorhaggar · 08-12-2011, 06:47 PM

Yeah do San Jose, it's a smallish airport so it's easy to get and out. Whether there's traffic or not around Oakland or SF you're still adding on a big drive from being that much further north. I'd agree with taking 101 down to around Salinas then going west to Monterey.

roadwarrior101 · 08-12-2011, 07:20 PM

Well, you never said where you're flying from. If you're flying from anywhere but the west coast, I'd probably go into SFO. You have more direct flights, frequent flights and fares are often lower. What you save on drive time will end up taking more in terms of layovers from SJ.

Of course, if you're from Denver westward, I'd say fly into SJ, since its closer and there are plenty of direct flights to SJ.

jeffredo · 08-12-2011, 07:22 PM

Absolutely San Jose. You can get to Monterey (in good traffic) in about an hour from there.

susie25 · 08-13-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadwarrior101

Well, you never said where you're flying from. If you're flying from anywhere but the west coast, I'd probably go into SFO. You have more direct flights, frequent flights and fares are often lower. What you save on drive time will end up taking more in terms of layovers from SJ.

Of course, if you're from Denver westward, I'd say fly into SJ, since its closer and there are plenty of direct flights to SJ.

We're flying from TX, and you're right, there are more direct flights to SFO. But fortunately I was able to find good flights to SJC through PHX. Thanks everyone for your help!