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Golden Gate Bridging
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How to Plan for Golden Gate Bridging

You Are Here : Home : Activities & Events : Featured Events : Golden Gate Bridging : How to Plan for Golden Gate Bridging

Whether you are traveling from out of state or over the bridge, planning can be the most exciting part of the trip…especially for the girls. Depending upon where you are coming from, will depend on the extent of your travel arrangements.

Below are a number of helpful resources:
By clicking on the links on this page, you may leave the GSNorCal website. These links are provided for informational purposes only. GSNorCal does not endorse or guarantee the content of any of these sites.

GGB Frequently Asked Questions
Please download and review the frequently asked questions about the Golden Gate Bridging before contacting the council.
Click here to download the 2010 Golden Gate Bridging FAQ sheet. 

San Francisco Guides
Where to stay in the San Francisco Bay Area
How to Travel to the San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Guides

With so many things to see and do in SF, where do you start?

  1. First, ask your girls what they would like to see while in the city!
  2. Then click here to order the free SF Visitor Kit from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. This guide will provide you with a variety of maps and coupons for San Francisco.
  3. As a troop, look online or in books at all the awesome things to do while in the Bay Area. Click here for a resource of the most visited tourist destinations by troops during the GGB weekend, “Places to Go, Things To Do in SF”.
  4. Use the links below to explore a wide variety of tourist options, suggestions on where to go with kids in SF and interactive maps to help make the planning process easier.

Kids in San Francisco

Interactive Map of San Francisco

Click here for Official Visitors Site Maps
For a unique view of the city, click on the interactive maps of San Francisco and zoom in on points of interest.

San Francisco at a Glance

Click here for San Francisco at a Glance from the City and County of San Francisco

Where to stay in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Tips on how to decide where to stay

  • Ask your girls what they want to see in SF – this answer will help guide where your troop stays in San Francisco. Most troops stay close to where they are visiting.
  • Decide how much your troop can afford to spend on hotel arrangements.
  • For a less expensive way to stay in SF, please check into GSNC Council Properties or Hostelling International.
  • Please note that hotels near Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf can be extremely expensive compared to hotels in other areas of the city.

Girl Scouts of Northern California Properties

GSNC has multiple properties that troops can rent for GGB 2010. Click here to download a list of all properties and capacities.

The two council-run campsites below have been reserved for troops participating in GGB 2010. Please call the Property Reservation Specialist (510) 562-8470 ext. 112 to make a reservation. Be sure to mention that you’re attending Golden Gate Bridging.

Camp Bothin – located in Marin County (25 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge), dormitory housing, on-site showers and kitchens. Sleeping bags needed.

Camp Arequipa - located in Marin County (25 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge), Indoor & Outdoor Sleeping. On-site showers and kitchen. Sleeping bags needed.

GGB 2010 Travel Agent

For assistance finding a hotel in SF, please contact Gretchen Gates with Adventures America at Gretchen@AdventuresAmerica.com.  Gretchen is the official and fabulous GGB Travel Agent that has special rates worked out with hotels and tourist spots throughout SF for this event!  There is NO charge to use this service.  We highly recommend that troops traveling to the event call Adventures America for assistance with travel accomodations.

Please click here to view the fabulous bridging packages setup for the event.

Special Hotel Offers for GGB 2010

The Hilton at Fisherman's Wharf -
This is a special offer just for participating troops of GGB 2010 with the Hilton at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco!  For more information, please visit http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/SFOFWHF-GSNG-20100507/index.jhtml

Hilton Brown Bag Lunch: Need lunch for Saturday's Bridging?  The Hilton Fisherman's Wharf is happy to opper a brown bag lunch for just $10/inclusive of tax.  This lunch will include whole fruit, potato chips, water and a choice of Ham & Cheese or Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.  Orders must be confirmed in advance by Saturday, May 1, 2010.  We will have your lunch ready for pick-up between 7am-9am on Saturday, May 8, 2010.  For more information and to place an order please email cara.allan@hilton.com.

The Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express at Fisherman's Wharf -
This is a special offer just for participating troops of GGB 2010 with the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. 

Please click here to reserve a room(s) at the Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf

Please click here to reserve a room(s) at the Holiday Inn Express Fisherman's Wharf

Tips on Booking a Hotel Online

  • Search around…a lot!
  • Bed types are usually not guaranteed unless you book through the hotel directly
  • Online reservations are usually not treated as a “group reservation”. Meaning booked rooms will be located throughout the hotel and not together.
  • Usually the most guaranteed way of booking any hotel room is to go through the hotel directly. However, it is always good to shop around! If you find a better deal online, please call the hotel and ask them to honor it.
  • Always call to verify your reservations.

Please use the hotel or trip reservation site of your choice, there are many to choose from.

Hostelling International

GSUSA and Hostelling International have a partnership to provide a less expensive way for troops to stay anywhere in the world!  Troops can stay at one of the local hostels throughout the Bay Area.

Hostelling International is a less expensive location to stay in SF; troops can stay at one of our local hostels throughout the Bay Area.

Unfortunately, the local hostels book considerably fast for this weekend, if you are contemplating this option please call Hostelling International for availability.

  1. www.sfhostels.com
  2. www.norcalhostels.org

While visiting Hostelling International, your troop can earn the Girl Scouts Go Hostelling Patch - Discover Your World.  For more information, please visit http://www.hiusa.org/programs/scoutsdiscover.shtml

Please note that the Fort Mason Hostel (a.k.a. Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel), the City Center Hostel, and the San Francisco Downtown Hostel are SOLD OUT for GGB 2010!

How to Travel to the San Francisco Bay Area

Traditionally troops drive private vehicles, rent a van, charter a bus, or fly to the Bay Area for this event.

Tips on how to reserve flights online

  • Book Early!
  • Including Saturday night in your visit will greatly reduce the cost of the plane tickets.
  • Use online Flight Comparison Tools
  • When checking flights, please check the rates with the San Francisco and Oakland Airport. The cost will vary depending upon which state you are departing from.
  • If your troop is staying in San Francisco we suggest flying into the San Francisco Airport. This will reduce additional travel time, especially if your troop is arriving on Friday afternoon.
  • Please plan for a 1-2 hour commute from Oakland into San Francisco on Friday afternoon.

Please use the travel booking site of your choice, there are many to choose from.

Driving

If you're planning to drive please carpool as much as possible. Directions and information on how to park will be included in your confirmation packet. Parking fees are included in the participant costs.