Overnight weekend parking at or near eastern BART terminus?

October 15, 2013 9:34 AM

Have you ever parked overnight at the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station? Do secure lots exist within walking distance? Maybe Pittsburg/Bay Point the better station for this?

The BART site for Dublin/Pleasanton says a privately-owned parking structure is adjacent. Seeking any user reviews involving actual experience, as I hope to rendezvous with a friend there for an SF weekend, but it's the first time either of us will ever be at that station.

For travel from Sacramento, assuming Dublin the better meeting point than Pittsburg.

posted by Rash to Travel & Transportation around San Francisco, CA (3 answers total)

Best answer: I doubt there is much in the way of secure parking at the BART station; the private lot is next to the main BART lot, because it used to be the main BART lot. I would use whichever is cheaper, the private lot or $5.50/night for "airport" parking. Just keep in mind that you need to sign up and print a parking pass with the "airport" parking. Also, BART parking is free and for 48 hours on the weekend, so if you're doing a true weekend where you arrive Friday evening and leave Sunday, you can just leave your car for free. I've done it a couple times. The Dublin station is suburban and very safe; I've never had a speck of trouble there, which is something I can't say for the Coliseum, Embarcadero, Civic Center, 16th/Mission, and 24th/Mission stations.

Coming from Sacramento, sometimes it's faster to go 5 / 580 instead of 80, though it's not a huge difference either way. I'd just check traffic before you leave. You're going to be counter-commute, so it shouldn't be too bad. I don't know anything about the parking or station at Pittsburg / Bay Point, to help with that.
posted by wnissen at 10:00 AM on October 15, 2013

The Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station Parking is in a pretty safe area. You should be able to buy airport/long term parking on the bart site (5 bucks a day) and park there.

The other station I'd recommend parking at is Millbrae (it's extremely safe and is covered parking).
posted by touareg at 10:45 AM on October 15, 2013

If you're going this weekend, be aware that BART may be on strike. Also, I don't see any reason to drive all the way to Dublin. The Pittsburgh/Bay Point Station is almost certainly closer. I don't know the safety of that station, but Pleasant Hill (a little further down the road) should be fine and has a huge lot. Double-check the rules of the Pleasant Hill lot though. It'll save you 20 minutes of driving on each end.
posted by cnc at 2:12 PM on October 15, 2013