Use mass transit and save the planet

If you come up from the south bay, use Caltrans. The last train back south is at midnight. Take the train to the terminal at 4th & King, and walk halfway across King and get on the N-Judah and ride it all the way to the UCSF. Yes the N-Judah comes across town from the Bart station, and they don't even check if you just came from the east bay. MUNI bus #6 goes from the Transbay Terminus to Parnassus via Market, Haight and Masonic, while bus #43 goes from the Balboa Park BART Station via Forest Hill MUNI Metro Station, Parnassus, Masonic Avenue, the Presidio and Lombard. For complete information on all Bay Area transit systems go to San Francisco Bay Area Transit.

Driving from the South Bay Area

If you come up 101, take 380 across to 280 just north of the SF Airport. Follow the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway 1 North, 19th avenue, signs and go north on 19th avenue. Two blocks BEFORE Golden Gate Park, turn right onto Judah Street. Judah becomes Parnassus after about 12 blocks, which goes right through the UC Med Center at the top of the hill. Your next adventure will be to find parking in the area.

Driving from the East Bay Area

Cross the Bay Bridge into San Francisco and follow the Fell Street signs. Due to construction, you may be directed to exit early into down-town SF. Then you will be sent on a merry wild goose chase all over the down-town area before finally following the signs to Fell street. Take Fell street out to Golden Gate Park where the street jogs left through the corner of the park and becomes Lincoln Way. You will have to keep driving 4 more blocks before they let you make a left turn onto 7th Ave. Go two blocks then turn left onto Judah Street. Judah becomes Parnassus right there and will take you right past the UCSF Med Center. Your next adventure will be to find parking in the area.

Driving from the North Bay Area

Take 101 south across the Golden Gate bridge, then almost immediately take the Highway 1, 19th Avenue exit from the right hand lane. Judah Street is two blocks after Golden Gate Park, but because left turns are prohibited on 19th Avenue, turn right on Kirkham, one block after Judah and go around the block. Judah becomes Parnassus after about 12 blocks, which goes straight through the UC Med Center at the top of the hill.

Parking

There is pay parking ($1.25 after 6pm) in the Westside Fee Lot located on Kirkham near 5th Avenue. The best street parking is west of UCSF in the neighborhood of Kirkham and 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues. Once you've found a space, head east on Kirkham uphill into UCSF. The road zig-zags left and right, and eventually you'll come to a dead end. Turn left and down a slight hill and enter the School of Nursing building or Health Sciences West if appropriate.  The meeting will either be in N225 or HSW300.

Navigating the UCSF Medical Center

Now that you've reached UCSF, find your way to the School of Nursing building room N225 or if appropriate to HSW300.  We have highlighted the School of Nursing building because that will be the first one you come to.


Finding your way through the maze of the UC Med Center is the hard part especially if you're coming from Parnassus Street. The quickest way to get there is to enter the Medical Science Building and walk down the hallway to the marble stairway near the other end of the building. The stairs go up part way to a landing. Turn right and go out the door at the top of the stairs into a small courtyard. The building off to your right is the School of Nursing building.  Go in the doors you see and turn left and head for the crowd clamoring for the food.  If we are meeting at Health Sciences West, that's the tall building opposite you and across the courtyard.

There are maps around the UC Med Center, but they don't help much. There will be snacks and drinks starting at 6:30pm, and the general meeting rarely gets started on time at 7:00. So relax, you have time to get lost and go back out to Parnassus and try again several times.

For an alternative adventure, park in the lot shown in the upper right of this diagram and find your way through the campus, coming into the School of Nursing from the back and descending the stairs to the meeting.  You can't miss it, just seek out the noise source.  If we are meeting in Health Sciences West, then just continue out the glass doors and turn right.  HSW is the tall building at the higher end of the courtyard.