Getting Here & Checking In

Lizzie's condo is in The Sutterfield apartments:

1483 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA94109:

If you’re driving north on I-5, consider taking the Gilroy exit to U.S. 101, and heading north into The City; it’s almost always faster than crossing the Bay Bridge.  Crossing the Bay Bridge from San Francisco heading home, however, is an easy drive, unless you leave during rush hour.

From Oakland International Airport (OAK):

  • Walk to the BART platform outside Terminal 2 and follow the instructions for San Francisco.

  • Jump off BART at the Embarcadero or Montgomery Street Stations.

  • Hop on the #2 or #3 bus, which goes up Sutter. Get off at Gough, cross the street and walk down a half block to the Sutterfield. Or hail an Uber or Lyft when you emerge from the BART station, though the bus system is very straightforward--use the "moovit" app.

From SFO:

  • Follow instructions there for BART into San Francisco.

  • Jump off at the Montgomery or Embarcadero Stations, then follow the same instructions as from Oakland.

When you arrive:

...Ask the Building manager/attendant for the key to unit #519, with a “FOB” attached to the key ring to open the gate to the underground parking area.  There is an extra key and fob set in the drawer under the TV; make sure to return them before you leave.  You may also need the FOB to get into the building after 10:00pm; ask the manager about the specific policy.  Also ask for the bag marked unit #519 containing clean sheets and towels from Wonder Cleaners, which you'll use to make the bed when you're ready to leave (see section on "Checking Out" below).

If you’ve driven, park on the street while you get the key and FOB for unit #519 from the attendant.  There is a parking spot for Unit #519 (that’s you!) at the very bottom of the garage—space three (3)—between a Prius and a concrete column.  Squeezing your car in and out is certainly an argument for self-driving cars.  Once you’ve parked, there’s an elevator nearby (walk the way you drove in) which requires the FOB to access.  Be advised that this elevator doesn’t stop at the Lobby, but does stop at the 5th floor, which, conveniently, is your floor.  There are several elevators within the building which go to all floors, so have no fear. 

There is an attendant on site 24/7, and you’ll usually find him behind the counter in the lobby.  Tony, the Building Manager, works weekdays.  He’s an excellent manager, friendly and quite helpful.  The members of his staff are likewise competent and helpful.

When you first arrive, there should already be clean sheets on the bed and clean towels in the bathroom--the previous guest will have done that, as will you when you leave.  Indeed, when you’re ready to leave, simply put your dirty sheets, pillow cases and towels in a bag marked #519, which you’ll give to the attendant on your way out (leave the pillow shams in the room).  And with the clean laundry you picked up when you checked in, please make the bed and put clean towels in the bathroom.  That's all you'll need to do, since Wonder Cleaners will pick up the dirty laundry from the building manager, clean it, and return it to the Sutterfield to await the next guest.

Surprisingly, the Lobby is a comfortable space.  I was sitting there one day waiting there for the project manager who was helping us with the Condo remodel, and I imagined Hercule Poirot from the Orient Express had arrived with Miss Marple and Inspector Clouseau, needing a fourth for bridge.....