Here comes the holidays and with them the hair-raising, elbow-throwing, hurry-and-wait drama of airport travel. Our advice? Don’t head into the hell of delayed flights without a game plan.
Fortunately for Bay Area travelers, San Francisco International Airport leads the way when it comes to airports, according to the Wall Street Journal, which just named SFO the best airport in the country. SFO’s good deeds include its commitment to sustainability (the airport was the first in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification); a celebration of local heritage (with rotating exhibits highlighting LGBTQ+, Indigenous and Latino communities); an incredible art collection; and last but not least, partnerships with some popular Bay Area restaurants.
Despite the current hiatus at SFO’s pre-pandemic gourmet hotspot, Manufactory Food Hall, there’s still plenty of good food between the gates. Add in a few unexpected ways to pass the time (semi-secret cinema, anyone?) and your wait will be over before you know it… at least until they announce another delay.
Here’s how to make the most of your time spent at SFO this holiday season.
Best food at SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1
(Courtesy of @flysfo)
Ritual Coffee’s new outpost at SFO.
ritual coffee
Wake up for that ungodly early flight at the new SFO location of SoMa coffee roastery favorite Ritual. The café combines its popular coffee and espresso drinks with pastries, fresh salads, sandwiches and wraps right next to the B Gates security checkpoint in Terminal 1. // ritualcoffee.com
Where: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, near the B Gates security checkpoint
If: 6 a.m. to 1 p.mWednesday to Monday
starbird
Find out why Starbird’s fried chicken sandwich at its SFO outpost was once voted the best on the bay. If you don’t like sandwiches, try the Nashville Hot Tender or a crispy chicken chop salad made with roasted corn, avocado and pepitas. If you’re short on time, order ahead and pick it up on the way to your gate.// starbirdchicken.com
Where: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, near Gate B13
If: Daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m
Amy’s drive thru
Bay Area native Amy’s, the queen of the frozen food aisle, brings her brand of plant-based nouns from SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal. The organic, non-GMO menu is very diverse, with options like breakfast sandwiches and oatmeal in the morning, and veggie burgers, three types of mac ‘n’ cheese, and chili cheese fries served throughout the day. // amysdrivethru.com
Where: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, near Gate B6
If: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m
The little chihuahua
The popular SF Taqueria Little Chihuahua packs burritos daily in Terminal 1. The local chain is known for its variety of healthy fillings, including options like fried plantains and black beans, garlic shrimp, and al pastor served in a bowl, a burrito, or in two tacos Early morning chilaquiles and “todo dia” breakfast tacos will get your engine pumping. // thelittlechihuahua.com
Where: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Gate B3
If: Sunday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m
Drake’s flyaway
Sure, it’s not quite the open-air experience you’re used to from Drake’s Dealership in Oakland, but Drake’s Flyaway still offers craft beer lovers a chance to sample their way through some of the brewery’s most popular year-round releases. Besides, what else do you have to do while waiting for your plane to pull into the gate? Sip on an IPA and pair it with pizza, salad, sandwiches and breakfast dishes. // flysfo.com
Where: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Gate B20
If: 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m
Eating and chilling in Terminals 2 + 3 of SFO
(Courtesy of @flysfo)
The SkyTerrace in the SFO.
Bun Mee
Fancy a hard hitting sandwich to fuel you up before your flight? Head to Bun Mee for soft-inside, crispy-outside baguettes filled with everything from five spice chicken to Sloppy Joe-style red curry ground beef. They also have savory bowls, salads, and appetizers like Momma Tran’s crispy ground beef and ear mushroom spring rolls. With two SFO locations, no matter where you fly to, you’re likely to be close by. // bunmee.co
Where: Terminal 3 between Gates F11 to F22 + Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Gate B3
If: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Ladle & Leaf
Gone are the days when you couldn’t find anything healthy to eat at the airport. East Bay-based Ladle & Leaf works with local farmers and ranchers to create healthy salads, cereal bowls, sandwiches and soups. Indulge in a quinoa, feta, and avocado bowl or Brussels sprouts Caesar and actually feel good about yourself when you arrive at your destination (minus the jet lag—even plants can’t fix that). // ladeblatt.com
Where: Terminal 3, near gates F11 to F22
If: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Yoga Rooms
You may have been disappointed to learn that the legendary yoga room in the international terminal has been closed during the pandemic. Now, more than two years later, not only has this space reopened, but the airport has added a second studio to help you navigate your way through your flight delay. Find them with mats, blocks and foam rollers in Terminals 2 and 3. // flysfo.com
Where: Terminals 2 + 3, near the security checkpoints
If: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m
sky terrace
Breathe in the fresh air on the SkyTerrace as you watch the pilots maneuver their giant flying machines across the runway. Grab a snack on the way up—food and drinks are allowed—and don’t forget to stop by the SFO Museum’s small exhibition space, which currently houses artifacts from the 1954 San Francisco International Airport Terminal. No boarding pass is required to enter; free. // flysfo.com
Where: Terminal 2, 4th floor before security
If: Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Where to eat + kill time at the SFO International Terminals
(Courtesy of @gottsroadside)
Get burgers and more at Gott’s Roadside in the International Terminal.
1300 on Fillmore
Jazz District favorite 1300 on Fillmore brought its southern-inspired dishes to SFO in 2017 with a menu full of comforting favorites. Take a seat at a table or at the marble-topped bar and order a delicious fried chicken and bacon salad, pulled pork sandwich or shrimp hushpuppies. Don’t forget cocktails. They have a full bar ready to ease your flight delay problems. //flysfo.com
Where: International Terminal G, near Gate G13
If: Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m
God’s roadside
Get a taste of something local before flying abroad. Gott’s Roadside SFO station has many of the same handheld foods you’ll find at their full-service locations, including Niman Ranch Franks and burgers, Baja fish tacos, and chicken cutlet sandwiches. At the full bar, you’ll find enough Northern California beer and wine to keep you busy until they finally let you on board. // gots.com
Where: International Terminal A, near Gate A13
If: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m
Turpen Aviation Museum and Library
You don’t have to share your father’s love of aviation to enjoy SFO’s Aviation Museum and Library. Located in front of security on the departures level of the international terminal, the tranquil two-story facility encapsulates the airport’s original 1930’s Spanish-style waiting room. Explore its archives, browse its books and exhibitions, or simply take a seat and enjoy a few minutes of quiet before the boarding chaos begins. No boarding pass is required to enter; free. // sfomuseum.org
Where: Departures Level, Main Concourse of the International Terminal
If: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Video art gallery
Save your digital content for the flight. In the SFO’s black box cinema, the Video Arts Gallery, you can lose yourself in short documentaries, animations and experimental films by innovative contemporary artists and filmmakers. November’s films celebrate Native American Heritage Month with short films by Navajo, Gwich’in and other Indigenous filmmakers. // sfomuseum.org
Where: International Terminal, Departures level before security
If: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
outdoor terrace
Feel the fog on your face one last time before embarking on a long-haul flight? Walk up to the lush garden and observation deck of the International Terminal. This open-air space offers 180-degree views of the airfield and comfortable seating.
Where: International Terminal G
If: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m
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