California State University, Monterey Bay is uniquely located; not only is it a short distance away from tourist destinations such as Monterey and Santa Cruz, but is also close enough to the San Francisco Bay Area so that while students don’t experience the city crowds and traffic, a day trip to the Bay Area is relatively quick and certainly doable.
However, many students are deterred from visiting San Francisco because driving in the city can be difficult and confusing, while parking can be a huge hassle and the most expensive aspect of the trip.
However, there is a way to avoid such issues – public transportation. The Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) is cheaper than parking and can get travelers to places around the city much quicker than navigating by car would. BART is an underground railway system, similar to a subway train, and can take travelers to and from areas as far south as Daly City or as far north as Richmond or Antioch in the East Bay.
While the convenience and inexpensive prices of the BART are appealing to many, people also ask: is it safe? As in any city, public transportation attracts all groups of people; some, not always with the best intentions. To ensure your own safety, it is advised to travel with someone else or with a group, especially if you do not know the area well. Plan where you are going ahead of time so you know exactly when to get off and which station to get back to when leaving the city.