Staying in Antioch to Visit the Bay Area with a Group

Visiting the Bay Area with a large group is expensive if everyone stays in San Francisco. Hotel rooms are small, parking is costly and it is hard to find a place where twelve people can sit down together. Staying in Antioch, at the eastern edge of the East Bay, is a practical alternative. Here is how it works and what to expect.

The trade-off

You give up walking to city sights from your front door. In exchange you get a full house: bedrooms for everyone, a kitchen, a living room and a backyard, usually for less than several city hotel rooms. For a family reunion, a wedding party or a group of friends, the shared space is often worth more than the shorter commute.

Getting into the city

BART is the simplest option. Antioch station sits at the eastern end of the line, with connections through the East Bay to Oakland and San Francisco. A group can ride together, skip city parking and come back to the house in the evening.

Driving works well for places BART doesn't reach, such as Muir Woods or the coast. Avoid weekday commute hours where you can, because traffic on the main routes west can double the drive time.

Day trips from an Antioch base

• San Francisco: Golden Gate Park, the waterfront and the neighborhoods, by BART.
• Oakland and Berkeley: closer than San Francisco and easy to reach by BART or car.
• Napa Valley: about an hour north for wineries and lunch.
• Mount Diablo State Park: a short drive for summit views across the region.
• The Delta: quiet river towns and marinas to the east and north.

Our guide to outdoor day trips from Antioch covers the parks closest to the house.

A sample four-day plan

1. Arrival day: settle in, shop for groceries and cook dinner at the house.
2. City day: take BART into San Francisco, split into smaller groups by interest, then meet for dinner.
3. Wine country or Mount Diablo: a slower day with a long lunch.
4. Local day: Black Diamond Mines in the morning, U-pick fruit in Brentwood in season and a last dinner together.

Alternating busy days with local days keeps the trip enjoyable for older relatives and young children.

Tips for groups

• Choose one or two people to plan transport so nobody is left at the station.
• Buy BART fare cards or set up mobile payment before the city day to avoid queues.
• Pack layers. Antioch is often warm when San Francisco is cool and foggy.
• Eat dinner at the house on at least one night. It saves money and is often the best evening of the trip.

Where to stay

Our six-bedroom Antioch House sleeps up to 15, with a fireplace and a coffee bar. See the Antioch and East Bay page and our list of things to do in Antioch for more ideas. If you are planning a bigger celebration, our group getaways page can help.

Frequently asked questions