Caltrain - San Francisco, CA Review

As a native New yorker, I'm not a driver. I've never even had a license. I'm used to getting around on public transport and walking, and I like it that way. The cost of gas these days makes me even happier that I've lived most of my life getting around without a car. Unfortunately, California is not like NYC, and public transport in SF is nowhere near as extensive or reliable as the NYC subway system. With one exception: Caltrain.

Caltrain connects San francisco to points south, specifically, Silicon Valley.

We started using Caltrain when we first decided to spend a weekend in San Jose over a year ago. The cost of travel from SF's King Street depot to San Jose is $7.50 each way. A real bargain, when one considers the distance covered - about 45 miles. Te regular train takes about 1.5 hours, but the Baby Bullet, which runs as an express train, takes just under an hour.

Caltrain keeps to schedule, has plush, wide, comfortable seats, is air conditioned and is, overall, a joy to ride. Stations are serviced by buses and taxis. Many stations are in central areas, within walking distance to town centers. There's even a car on each train devoted to bike riders. This car has seating and ample space for bicycle lock-up. All Caltrains are double deckers, with the top level affording sweeping views of the greener region south of San Francisco.

As a non-driver, Caltrain has really opened up the Bay Area for me, making weekend getaways so much easier to acheive. Trains run seven days a week and, while not a 24 hour service, they run late enough on a Sunday that I can spend a whole weekend away and not have to rush home in the afternoon. Train travel is bound to make a comeback - especially with the economy being what it is, and gas prices being so high. Caltrain is a great place to start.