How to get to and from Oracle Park
For such a relatively small city, San Francisco’s local transportation options are pretty stellar. Depending on where you’re coming from or going to, MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Railway) offers an underground that takes you straight to the heart of the city and numerous above-ground bus options. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the main mode of local transit that serves much of the greater Bay Area. Then, of course, we have our famous cable cars if you want the most scenic option. I will discuss all of these (and more) in greater detail below.
MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Railway)
Best for getting to the ballpark from Downtown/Union Square and The Castro
MUNI is the most effective mode of public transport within the city. It encompasses various routes of underground and above ground options that stretch to nearly every corner of the city, including Oracle Park, which has a MUNI stop directly across the street (2nd and King St).
A lot of the MUNI cars were refurbished in recent years, so the seats are in pretty good shape and it’s relatively clean considering how many people are off and on every day. The stations and stops themselves have limited seating and some are more pleasant than others in regard to upkeep.
As far as safety goes, MUNI is generally considered a safe method of transportation. As with any municipal transport system, bad experiences do happen including theft, harassment, and the occasional unsavory remark. Remain aware and remember that it’s far more likely you’ll have an uneventful ride than a trying one. MUNI can get packed around rush hour, but other than those times, it’s usually a very easy on-and-off with limited wait times and adequate seating. Here’s the most up-to-date service map, as well as stops and running times.
Taking MUNI to the ballpark
When boarding a train, you’ll want to peek at a map to see what direction to board. This is the single most confusing thing about MUNI, even for me, a local that has been using it for 30+ years. The second most confusing part is transfers. Depending on where you are coming from, you may need to take more than one train or bus to get to the ballpark.
The most direct gameday line is the N/Judah, which stops at King and 2nd Street, right outside Oracle Park. Since it is the second-to-last stop on the N/Judah line, you will want to take it Eastbound to get to the park and Westbound to get back to your accommodations (assuming you are staying in any of our recommended hotel zones). It is often very crowded on game days, and the closer it is to game time, the more crowded it will be. So either be prepared to push yourself onto a crowded train, or make your way to the park earlier to make sure you don’t get caught up having to wait for trains that have space.
You can also take the T/Third Street Line from Powell Street to 4th and King, which is a quick two block walk to the ballpark. There’s really very little difference between these two options, so take whichever one looks faster (or is arriving first) on your mapping/guidance app.
How to pay for your MUNI fare
It might shock you to learn that the tech-minded Bay Area has not yet upgraded its system to accept a simple swipe/tap of a credit card, like they have in New York or Chicago. They are allegedly rolling this option out in 2024, but I have an inside, on-the-ground source who has a hunch this might never happen. What can I say? San Francisco is a city of paradox. So let’s review your options for purchasing your fare to ride the system.
Option 1: Use cash on board
There is a cash farebox at the front of every above-ground MUNI train and bus (If you’re boarding via underground, you’ll have to pay at the kiosk and go through the turnstiles). When you pay your fare (and it’s exact fare only, so if you don’t have the exact $3.00 fare, don’t expect any change), it will dispense a transit pass. Keep this receipt handy in the event that any transit officials ask you to provide proof of fare. (If you can’t show a proof of fare when asked, you can be cited and fines start at $100. So do yourself a favor and pay the $3.00.) Your pass can be used for unlimited transfers for up to two hours from its time stamp, but does not include transfers to BART or cable cars. It’s only good on MUNI trains and buses.
Option 2: Purchase a single-ride MUNI ticket at a kiosk at any station with cash or credit card
When you enter the train, you’ll tap your ticket on the reader and you’re good to go. But once again, keep that card with you as proof of payment. A single fare ticket gives you unlimited transfers for two hours, starting at the time of your initial tap, but does not include transfers to BART or cable cars.
Option 3: Purchase a 1, 3, or 7-day Visitor Pass (also known as MUNI Passports)
These can be purchased at station kiosks or at retail locations around the city (click here for a list of locations), or can be purchased virtually using the Clipper Card app on your phone. The cost is $16 for one day, $34 for three days, and $44 for seven days (those prices each include a one-time $3 charge for the card itself). The “day” begins when you first tap your card/phone, and concludes at 11:59pm that day. The great news about a Visitor Passport is that it includes rides on all MUNI, historic streetcars, and cable cars (and considering that a cable car ride is $8, that starts to make the Visitor Passport a great deal if a cable car is in your plans). But note: the Visitor Passport does not include BART.
Option 4: Purchase a Clipper Card
Clipper Cards are the reloadable transit cards that locals purchase for everyday use. Unlike the MUNI options mentioned above, Clipper Cards do provide access to BART, but do not provide access to cable cars. You can purchase a physical Clipper Card at station kiosks, various retail locations around the city, or on your phone using the Clipper Card app. The Clipper Card will automatically deduct the appropriate fare for your trip (MUNI rides are flat fares, whereas BART rides are variable fares based on distance traveled). You simply need to keep a balance on your account that will cover the cost of your travel.
Rail Transit Comparison Chart
| Type | Cost | Works on MUNI | Works on BART | Works on Cable Cars | Valid for airport travel | Where/how to buy | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUNI single ride ticket | $2.50 on mobile app $3.00 cash /credit onboard or at ticket machine | Yes | No | No | No | Buy on train/bus with cash, from kiosks with cash/credit card, or mobile app | Simplest, least hassle |
| Visitor Passport (1,3,7 day) | $16/1 day $34/3 days $44/7 days | Yes | No | Yes | No | Mobile app and physical card | Best if you’re sightseeing for multiple days and want to ride cable cars too |
| Clipper Card | $3 for card. Fares vary based on distance | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Mobile app and physical card | Unnecessary unless you go to SF a lot |
| BART single ride ticket | Based on distance | No | Yes | No | Yes | Mobile app and physical card | Best to go to/from OAK or SFO |
| Cable car single ride ticket | $8 | No | No | Yes | No | Mobile app (MuniMobile and Clipper), Metro ticket machine, and cash (though certain stops require buying in advance) | Fun for exploring but no help getting to the ballpark |
When to take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
From downtown to the airports
Important note: BART does not go to Oracle Park, but you can connect from BART to MUNI at Powell, Civic Center, or Embarcadero Stations in Downtown SF.
That said, BART is an awesome way to get around if you are coming from outside the city. It services numerous areas of the East Bay and goes all the way to Millbrae in the south. BART uses the same Clipper Card that can be used on MUNI, but its fares are based on distance, rather than MUNI’s flat-ride fees. BART used to have these really gnarly cloth seats (why?) but the new cars have been replaced with silicone, wipeable material. BART, like MUNI, is reliable and efficient. Like any public transport, you want to be aware of your surroundings and belongings, but it’s well-traveled and gets better with every passing year.
Note: BART runs daily until midnight, but the available service changes from a 5-service line (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue) to a 3-service line (Orange, Yellow, Blue) at 9pm—so be mindful of this when traveling. Check here for details.
Taking BART to and from the ballpark
The closest BART station to Oracle Park is Embarcadero station. This is ideal if you want a longish, leisurely, pre-game walk to the park (1.2 miles). You can also transfer to the MUNI N/Judah-line here if you’d like to get to the ballpark faster.
When to take cable cars
Sorry–they don’t go to Oracle Park!
Cable car
Riding a cable car is a quintessential San Francisco experience. These iconic trolleys run on three different routes in the city, but they are absolutely nowhere near the ballpark, and there is no reason (or way) you would take one to get there directly. In general, cable cars are rarely used by commuters who need to get from point A to point B, but they are absolutely worth a ride so I’m including them here.
A single ride ticket for the cable car is $8. You can pay exact cash directly to the conductor when you board. However, if you opt for a 1, 3, or 7-Day MUNI Pass as described above, the cost of the cable car will be included.
The cable car is a really fun way to explore historic North Beach, the Financial District, and Nob Hill. I highly recommend taking the California line and getting off at California and Mason for a drink at the “Top of the Mark” at the ritzy Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Bikeshare
Best for coming from The Mission, Embarcadero, Downtown/Union Square, Pier 39/Wharf
Bike riding is an exciting way to get around the City, but urban bike riding can be super dangerous. Even with the influx of bike lanes, SF can still be treacherous for people on two wheels, and I would exercise a lot of caution, particularly if you aren’t used to the particulars of our traffic. Not to mention, the hills here are as epic as you’ve heard, so be prepared for a workout to match.
Disclaimer aside, SF has a widely used bike share program through a system known as Bay Wheels. You can opt to pay for a single ride ($3.49 for thirty minutes), day-pass ($10 a day), month-pass ($29 a month), or become a Bay Wheels member ($150 a year). You can also choose to ride with full assist or low assist, depending on how much (or little) of a workout you’re looking for.
Your options for picking up and dropping off a bike are plentiful within the City, and there’s a pickup/dropoff spot directly by the ballpark at 3rd and Townsend. You can learn more about the bike rental program here. Do keep in mind that there is a risk that all of the bike docks will be full when you get to the location at Oracle Park. Aim to get there extra early and give yourself time to walk to a further docking station if need be.
If you have your own bike, there is a free bike valet at the ballpark provided by the SF Bicycle Coalition. They will park and guard your bike starting two hours before first pitch and 30 minutes after the last out.
Walking
Best for coming from SoMa, Embarcadero, or Downtown/Union Square
View along the Embarcadero walk
Walking is a fantastic way to get around the city. If you are staying in SoMa, walking to the ballpark is the fastest option (3 minutes from Hotel VIA). If you’re staying along the Embarcadero or in Downtown/Union Square, you’re looking at about a mile to a mile and a half walk each way (35-40 minutes). If you are coming from the Embarcadero, you will get glorious views of the Bay the entire way to the park. If you’re coming from Downtown/Union Square, walking to the park is a great way to take in the city. Both of these hotel zones are also in the few areas of the city that are actually flat, which makes for a far less strenuous stroll.
Rideshares and Taxis
Best for coming from the Mission, Pier 39/Fisherman’s Wharf
Townsend & 3rd: Suggested rideshare pickup zone
If you’re staying in the Mission or by Pier 39/Fisherman’s Wharf, you will be best served by rideshare or taxi. From the Mission, you’re looking at the difference between a 15-ish minute car ride and a half-hour long MUNI ride. It’s an even shorter car ride from the Pier 39 area (13 minutes), while buses will take you 30-40+ minutes. Rideshares can get a little pricey at peak hours, but in general, a ride from these places will generally cost you $15-$20 and can drop you off within a block or less of the park.
The Giants’ suggested rideshare pickup zone is just a block away from the ballpark on Townsend St between 2nd St and Ritch St (just past 3rd St). We find this to be a pretty good suggestion, but if traffic is heavy, one block northwest (Brannan St) or further up or down Townsend works as well.
Ferry
Best for coming from Alameda, Oakland, Vallejo
The Ferry is a gorgeous way to get to Oracle Park if you are coming from a select number of destinations in the East Bay. An adult ticket is $10.50, youth, seniors, and disabled folks ride for $8, and children under five ride free. The trip is about an hour long, but it drops you right at Oracle Park’s doorstep. You can buy tickets in advance online, and reservations are strongly recommended.
Bottom Line
Getting to Oracle Park is a practice in choosing your own adventure. The most convenient and enjoyable option really depends on where you’re staying and your personal preferences. If you love to walk, the stadium is accessible by foot from numerous locales. If you’re a little farther out or not much for strolling, MUNI is a fantastic, reliable, and cheap option. With bikeshares and the ferry to supplement, the way you actually get to the game is all part of the fun.
