WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 202
California · Couples · Two nights

San Francisco

The Golden Gate, from the air and the ground.

San Francisco packs hills, cable cars, the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge into seven by seven miles. Land at Oakland’s general-aviation North Field across the bay, ride BART or a car into the city, stay at a grand hotel, take the ferry to Alcatraz, graze the Ferry Building and eat at a 170-year-old seafood grill. On a clear day, the VFR transition along the shoreline gives pilots one of the great views in aviation.

Big cityFoodBay views
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
The Golden Gate Bridge glowing at golden hour
The Golden Gate Bridge at golden hour.
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KOAK
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~2106 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~14 hr 17 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · BART, rideshare or rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Oakland North Field.

KOAK, Oakland International, is a towered airport at 9 feet; general aviation uses the North Field runways (including 10R/28L, 6,213 feet), about 30 minutes to downtown San Francisco.

The FBO

Signature Aviation Oakland

Oakland International Airport (North Field), Oakland, CA

510-633-1266

KaiserAir (510-569-9622) is the other North Field FBO. The Bay Area’s Class B is complex; brief the VFR flyways and the SFO shoreline transition, and expect fog in summer. No live fuel price is shown.

Northern California coast and Bay Area: summer fog and low stratus pouring through the Golden Gate in the evening and morning, clear fall days, winter Pacific storms, and some of the busiest airspace in the country. About 2110 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way with several fuel stops. Plan a week, or overnight on the way out and back.

02 / Where to stay

Grand hotels.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Rates jump during conventions.

03 / Where to eat

Classic San Francisco tables.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Islands, bridges and markets.

Book Alcatraz early.

01

Alcatraz

The famous island prison, by ferry from Pier 33.

NPS
03

Ferry Building Marketplace

Food halls and a farmers market on the Embarcadero.

Ferry Building
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse San Francisco events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample city weekend. This is a two-day flight each way; plan a week. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at KOAK, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    BART into the city and the Ferry Building.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Tadich Grill.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    Alcatraz.

  2. Afternoon

    Cable cars and North Beach.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Zuni Café.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    Walk the Golden Gate Bridge.

  2. Before leaving

    Return the car and allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Summer fog returns in the evening; plan a midday departure.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Hotel and Alcatraz tickets first.

Very long flight

About 2,110 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way.

Airspace

Brief the Bay Area Class B and VFR flyways.

Best seasons

September to November.

Reviewed · Destination 202

Reviewed November 6, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.