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BART - Balboa Park Station

3.3 (69 reviews)

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William B.

When it comes to going to work or enjoying my day off from work!!! I am very happy to have this Balboa Park Bart Station of San Francisco, Ca which is close to home!!! The one thing that... I really like most about this Balboa Park Station of San Francisco,Ca is when I have to go to work... I always rely on this Balboa Park Bart Station just to get myself to work and to get off at the Powell Bart Station!!! And on my day off from work... I like to get on the Bart and go some where far like to the city of San Bruno, Millbrae, Pleasanton, Oakland, which is very convenient for me and I don't have to drive with the crazy freeway headache traffic!!! When I can sit back and enjoy myself on the Bart Ride to those city destinations that I like going to!!! Thank you to the City Of San Francisco, Ca for having this Transportation which is also good for the locals like me and also tourists from another city U.S. State or another Foreign Country!!! The only thing that I don't like about the Bart Train is when there is a Bart Train Delay!!! I can't do anything about it happens it happens!!!

Balboa Park BART Station
Denis A.

BART and you're there! It's reliable, stress free, cost efficient public transportation. The station has outbound and inbound trains on either side of the platform, so there's no need to cross over to catch a train. I had to dock it a star for lack of cleanliness. But seriously? I'm not even sure a clean BART station exists. (+++) public transportation

The train entering the station. Shutter speed 1/800
Chris W.

Like most BART stations, this one moves a ton of people everyday. I first thought this station was really sketchy but it's not so bad. There's always people (not the bad kind) around at all times of the night but I'd still suggest staying alert after 10:00pm. The station is designed with 3 entrances 1 on the north and south side of Geneva and an entrance on Ocean, the north most street of the station. There's even a drop off area on the south side of Geneva! This station is more convenient than most because it is also a major hub for MUNI. The J,K and M lines all meet here and make transfers very. Lastly this station has bathrooms available for riders, if you dare to take your chances.

Joy A.

Balboa BART. It's not the cleanest station out there, but it definitely gets riders from Point A to Point B in no time. Unlike the Embarcadero station, this station doesn't have random street music performers or a fancy Peet's Coffee in house. Rather, there is a run-down roach coach outside that sells simple goodies such as water, apple juice, soda, chips, and assorted (possibly day old, or worse, even older) pastries. Eek! Located across the street is a cafe for folks that seriously need a strong cup of joe to help get through their morning. Although signs reflect a no to food or drinks while on the train, I've seen riders happily munchin' on breakfast goodies & sippin' on their coffee in the AM. You can't stop breakfast from happening. After all, it is the most important meal of the day. Tips: *Be careful eating or drinking on BART. If cited, you're hit with a $250 fee. Yikes! *Hold on to your personal belongings, the last time I was here I witnessed a kid snatch someone's "man bag". It happens. But wait, where's BART police when you need them? :X Go BART!!!?!

Sign says train won't stop... It's stopped all right! It's hella broke!!

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3 months ago

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2 years ago

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7 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Ever since they got rid of the old trains Bart has been slower with fewer trains running in the morning.

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13 years ago

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6 years ago

The BART is a great public transportation and this station is convenient and safe.

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16 years ago

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8 years ago

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16 years ago

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18 years ago

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12 years ago

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13 years ago

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18 years ago

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5 years ago

A three star because the bathrooms were out of service although its clean trains take forever when there is a platform out of service.

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16 years ago

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18 years ago

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14 years ago

I was here transferring on the train out to the airport ya'll. I had to review this place because damn nothing beats SD's BALBOA PARK.

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13 years ago

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16 years ago

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15 years ago

Clean, safe, what's not to like?

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Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - BART - Balboa Park Station

Review Highlights - BART - Balboa Park Station

Balboa Park Bart station is also near SF City College by walking distance and SFSU by the 29 Sunset bus route.

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BART - Powell Street Station

BART - Powell Street Station

3.0(295 reviews)
4.8 miUnion Square

Since growing up in San Francisco & Oakland, CA, I have always liked the Powell BART station due to…read moreconvenience in downtown San Francisco & Market St. attractions. Today, I still like stopping here whenever I visit the city. It's not cheap riding from San Jose/Milpitas to this station $10 one way now. I can still remember old times when riding only cost a few bucks. Powell BART station connects riders to all sorts of trains/muni destinations. Public restrooms are always available and staffs do their jobs well. You will see lots of foreign visitors and often hear people speaking in French, Spanish, German, etc. This is one of San Francisco's best stop. It's unfortunate that SF Westfield Shopping Center lost its businesses due to high crimes, high cost of doing business here, and other city regulations. This BART station really had it all years ago, especially when it was easily accessible after stopping here and walking distance to the food court and retail stores. I think Powell Station vibes are still positive for commuters. Advertisements are everywhere. This BART station still feels safe in public and it does feel like home of San Francisco center. I'm still glad that their tunnels and walkways are spacious and can accommodate major transportation for event days. JPMorgan Chase ads are highly visible.

I've chosen to live car-free because of the city's convenience, but BART is making that choice…read moredifficult lately. To be fair, the fares are decent and when it works, it's the best way to get around. However, the consistency just isn't there. Almost every day there is a new 'issue' or delay. The stations are consistently dirty, and broken escalators have become the norm rather than the exception. What's most frustrating, though, is the customer service. I've approached station agents for help only to feel like I'm 'interrupting' their personal phone time or chats with colleagues. A little professional courtesy would go a long way. I want to keep supporting public transit, but the overall experience needs to improve.

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BART - Powell Street Station
BART - Powell Street Station
BART - Powell Street Station - Bathrooms 11/26/22

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Bathrooms 11/26/22

MUNI Station - West Portal

MUNI Station - West Portal

3.1(42 reviews)
1.7 miWest Portal

I love to transfer here. If there is a long wait you can visit different stores and restaurants…read morenearby. It is open so there is a great signal from your location. There are a lot of transit connections so you can go anywhere you want. It also clos to banks groceries and shopping.

I always have problems with Muni all the time. From unruly passengers, drivers, cleanliness,…read morewaiting time stamps, safety, and employees. At this point, SFMTA has failed its communities in all aspects. From my experience, I will demonstrate how employees treated me, and the results of my commute. Experience #1: I lost my clipper card, and I asked one of the employees at the information booth how to operate it the app. Many of the workers do not don't know! Others gave me wrong information. Experience #2: I was appalled about how the Transit Fare Inspector treated me. Badge #F65, Eugene Bulkin labled me as difficult for not showing my ID. I was honest, and cooperative in this type of situation. To look superior, he forcefully made me find my ID in my fanny pak after mentioning, losing ID at the bar. He also threatened me to call dispatch. Lastly, he went through my bag by peeking that he saw my ID. Besides, trying to sound superior and attempting to degrade passengers/tourist, the worst part is that he embarrassed me by telling my rides at other transit agencies! Bulkin, becareful who you are talking to with that attitude of yours. You will get the person that will make you learn a lesson.

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MUNI Station - West Portal - MUNI Fare Prices as of July 1, 2025 {5/27/2025}

MUNI Fare Prices as of July 1, 2025 {5/27/2025}

MUNI Station - West Portal - MUNI West Portal Station {1/9/2025}

MUNI West Portal Station {1/9/2025}

MUNI Station - West Portal - MUNI West Portal Station ~ Fare Prices as of January 1, 2025 {1/9/2025}

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MUNI West Portal Station ~ Fare Prices as of January 1, 2025 {1/9/2025}

BART Station - 5-9-2025

BART Station

3.5(30 reviews)
2.8 mi

Colma is my favorite BART station to park at and take the train into the city coming from San Jose…read morewhen I don't want to take public transportation all the way from the South Bay. The parking garage is big and always has a multitude of spots, oftentimes right across from the station entryway which is conveniently directly attached to the garage. Take a short escalator down and you're right in the center of the station. It's 10-20 minutes on BART into SF (depending where you're going) from Colma, avoiding city driving and expensive parking without having too much of a ride in and back. On the weekdays parking is $3 through the BART app (prefill your car information to avoid getting held up) and free on weekends and holidays. Relatively clean and easy to navigate station. There's a machine you can purchase Clipper cards at or refill your card without hassle, check the fare calculator but for a non-discounted ride to Civic Center in SF it's $4.50 at the moment one way. Red and yellow lines frequently stop here, though you will have to transfer at another station for other lines. Just an all around nicely maintained station that I recommend especially if you are parking and riding into the city and are looking for an easy experience.

PARKING ($3) The parking garage fills up a little after…read more9:00AM Monday to Thursday. On Mondays it is definitely the heaviest day; you should probably come by 8:30AM to secure a spot. Fridays less people go to work less of a rush there. Reserved parking on the first and second floors become available after 10:00AM, if your job allows you could plan to come later in the morning to get those parking spots (which are closer to the BART entrance too). Lots of bird poop in certain spots, so beware! Be careful around the turns, you might not see a car coming from the other direction. They do check for parking/payments often here. I see them checking cars often in the mornings. Word of advice to the BART parking checkers though...don't check cars in a parking section that isn't full yet since people are still pulling in. Once I got a ticket maybe 45 seconds after I parked. I paid for parking 30 seconds after the ticket was given to me. (I didn't see it until the evening). It was just annoying that I then needed to spend my time to fight the ticket. Get a EZRider account so you can pay with Clipper Card. If the parking garage fills up the Samtrans parking lot is across the street, also for $3. They accept credit cards as well. Longer walk to get to the station but at least you got a parking spot! ATTENDANTS The attendants are very pleasant and always willing to answer my random questions about parking or losing an item! BATHROOMS Often 1 will be out-of-order. The other bathroom exists for emergencies but the last 2 times I went there was no soap :( THE STATION Also a lot of bird poop recently. On weekday mornings trains to SF come every 7 minutes, so you're never waiting for too long. If you go one more spot North (Daly City) the trains come even more often, but their parking lot fills up way too early. Depending on what train you catch, you may get a seat. In the 8-8:30AM time range there is more people. By 9:00AM you could get a seat in the Antioch line, but maybe not the Richmond line since a lot of commuters get on the train in Millbrae. LOCATION Good location directly off the 280 freeway. Cheap gas stations nearby. In&Out nearby.

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BART Station - Clipper fares as of June 8, 2025

Clipper fares as of June 8, 2025

BART Station - Looking ugly

Looking ugly

BART Station - Entryway to station from the parking garage

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Entryway to station from the parking garage

Yerba Buena/Moscone Station - Rainy day beauty.  "Node" by Roxy Paine

Yerba Buena/Moscone Station

5.0(2 reviews)
4.9 miSoMa

Yerba Buena Station is a nice overlooked station as no one writes a review on this. Sorry I was…read morein a rush and didn't find the sign on saying name of art piece over the ticket booths or the artist ‍. Next time I'll take photo of the underground art. This station wasn't as busy as Chinatown station . But there was a lot of events this weekend of dance. It is a nice station with just one escalator going straight up to surface which is much faster than the Chinatown station where that one has like 2 levels going up.

Much of the publicity has been written and debated about the Chinatown subway station but little if…read moreany mention of the other stations on the route. This station is located on the corner of 4th Street and Folsom Street in SOMA (South of Market neighborhood) (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=WzcaUo2hQOqKct-6xWk9eQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). Though I work only a couple blocks away, I was not aware of this station especially since I drive to work daily. Recently, while both my brother's and my vehicle were being serviced, I needed to get to my office after doing some work errands and tasks in Chinatown. This was my perfect opportunity to try this mode of transportation. I caught the train from Chinatown and arrived here in less than ten minutes. It is a bit of a walk even with the escalators that I used. There are elevators available for those who prefer or need them (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=o0jpTcz1IH4oHBq4iX3rdQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). About ten minutes later, I was sitting at my office desk catching up on my work. It's sad to see the low ridership on this or perhaps I rode it on a non-peak time. Regardless, I hope that more locals and visitors take advantage of this which would likely ease the traffic gridlock that often frustrates people in the Chinatown and SOMA neighborhoods.

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Yerba Buena/Moscone Station - The Yerba Buena station

The Yerba Buena station

Yerba Buena/Moscone Station
Yerba Buena/Moscone Station

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BART - Balboa Park Station - metrostations - Updated May 2026

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