San Francisco International Airport – My Honest Take
Getting good info about San Francisco International has gotten complicated with all the outdated reviews flying around. As someone who has been through SFO more times than I can count over the past decade, I learned everything there is to know about navigating this place. Today, I will share it all with you.
Here is my potentially controversial opinion: SFO is one of my favorite major airports. I know, I know. People love to complain about airports. But unlike certain other West Coast airports (looking at you, LAX), SFO actually feels manageable. The terminals connect logically. The signage makes sense. You can get from security to your gate without feeling like you have run a marathon. I once had a 45-minute connection here and made it with time to spare — try that at LAX and you are booking a hotel.
The Food Situation (Actually Good)
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. One thing I genuinely love about SFO is that the food does not feel like typical airport food. They have brought in local Bay Area spots, not just the same chains you see at every other terminal in America.
Terminal 2: Napa Farms Market is my go-to when I have time to kill. Real local products, decent coffee, and the kind of artisan stuff that makes you feel like you are in Sonoma rather than an airport. Yankee Pier has solid seafood if you are into that. Cat Cora’s Kitchen is fancier than I usually go for at an airport, but I dragged myself there once when my flight got delayed three hours and honestly, no regrets.
International Terminal: Okay, Senor Sisig might be my favorite airport restaurant anywhere. Filipino-Mexican fusion that actually tastes like the food truck it came from. I have introduced at least four friends to this place during layovers and every single one has texted me later saying it was the best airport meal they have ever had. Tomokazu does good Japanese if you are heading to Asia and want to start the trip right.
Terminal 3: Lark Creek Grill is solid American fare. Nothing revolutionary, but reliable. Sometimes reliable is exactly what you want when you are tired and just need decent food fast.
Lounge Life at SFO
If you have got lounge access, you have got options here. I have tried most of them at this point and they each have their vibe.
United Club: Multiple spots in Terminal 3. Standard United Club experience — fine, not amazing, but reliably decent. The coffee is better than what you will find at the gate, which is really all I need sometimes.
Centurion Lounge: Terminal 3, if you have got an Amex Platinum. This one gets crowded, especially during peak hours, but the food and drinks are genuinely good. I have made meals out of their buffet before long flights and saved myself from buying overpriced terminal food. Just get there early or you might not get a seat.
Alaska Lounge: Terminal 2. Smaller and quieter than some others. I actually prefer it sometimes just for the chill vibe — fewer people on laptops having loud conference calls, more people just… relaxing. What a concept.
Air France/KLM Lounge: International Terminal. Nice if you are flying their metal to Europe. I used this one before a Paris flight and it put me in the right mood for the trip.
Shopping and Random Stuff
SFO leans into the Bay Area tech and artisan thing. You will find local makers, tech accessories, and California wine shops. The International Terminal has some nicer boutiques if you are into that sort of thing.
That’s what makes SFO endearing to us West Coast travelers — it actually reflects the culture of the city it serves instead of being a generic airport experience.
Random thing I appreciate: there is actually an aviation museum in Terminal 2. Free, and kind of cool if you are a plane nerd like me. I have killed a layover there more than once, reading about the history of Pacific aviation. Beats staring at a departure board.
Stuff I Have Learned the Hard Way
- BART goes straight to downtown San Francisco. Honestly one of the best airport-to-city connections in the country. Cheaper than a cab, often faster than an Uber depending on traffic. I take it every single time unless I have absurd amounts of luggage.
- The AirTrain connects all terminals and it is free. Sounds obvious but I have watched people pay for rides between terminals before realizing this exists. Save your money, take the train.
- SFO is genuinely more organized than LAX. This is not just my opinion — ask anyone who has connected through both. The difference is night and day.
- The International Terminal is beautiful and actually spacious. If you are flying international, give yourself time to enjoy it rather than rushing straight to the gate.
Gear That Makes Airport Life Better
After years of travel through SFO and beyond, I have figured out what actually helps during long layovers and flights. These are things I actually use, not stuff that sits in a drawer at home.
Portable Power Bank
Look, airport outlets are either taken or in weird locations. I learned this after my phone died right before boarding once at SFO — my boarding pass was on my phone and I had to sprint to a charging station while they were calling final boarding. Never again. A good power bank can charge your phone multiple times and works with basically any device.
Travel Neck Pillow
I used to think these were silly. Then I had a 6-hour layover at O’Hare and tried to sleep on those metal armrest chairs. My neck was angry at me for two days. Memory foam neck pillows are actually worth it — they pack down small and make delays so much more bearable. I keep one clipped to my carry-on now.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Game changer. Airports are loud — announcements, crying kids, that guy on speakerphone three seats away who apparently wants everyone to know about his quarterly earnings. Good noise-canceling headphones let you actually relax or focus on work. I put mine on the second I sit down at any gate.
TSA-Approved Toiletry Bag
Clear bags mean no fumbling at security. I switched to one of these and now I just pull it out, toss it in the bin, and keep moving. Small thing, but it adds up when you are going through security dozens of times a year. The people behind me in line appreciate it too.
Getting Around Once You Are There
Rental cars, rideshare pickup zones, taxis — all the usual options. The rideshare pickup area moved a while back, so follow the signs if you have not been recently. I learned this the hard way when I stood at the old spot for ten minutes wondering why my Uber kept saying it was in a different location.
My tip: Download the SFO app before you go. Real-time gate info, interactive maps, even wait time estimates for security and restaurants. I do not usually push apps, but this one is actually useful and has saved me from wandering around confused on more than one occasion.
