Travel Nurse’s Guide to San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco is considered one of the most visually stunning seven by seven square miles on earth! Bay Area natives and transplants are fiercely loyal to their city and could never imagine living anywhere else. Now that you are stepping into this beautiful Northern California location, we hope this guide will arm you with valuable information to your new destination. We offer information on housing, transportation, pet resources, and the many wonderful venues, vistas and cultural spots San Francisco and the Bay Area has to offer!

 

Living in San Francisco as a Travel Nurse

The San Francisco Bay Area is a populated region that encompasses the major cities and metropolitan areas of SF, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas. Skyrocketing rents are fed by a constant demand for housing, fueled mainly by the growing tech industry and rapid gentrification. With rent prices hitting a record high and inventory drying up, you have to move quickly in your search.

Tip: Search with relevant key words, “corporate housing”, and “short term rental”, “vacation rental,” and “corporate hotel” as examples. As these words will be necessary to find the information you are looking for, surround them with quotation marks so the search engine knows to look for the specific words in the order you typed.

www.airbnb.com
www.vrbo.com

Internet Searching

When scouring the internet, please do not be fooled by embellished advertisements that tout low starting rents. Ideally, work with websites where you can interact directly with the owner or landlord in advance. Most are free and some offer membership plans. A few recommended Online portals are:

www.urbanflat.com
www.furnishedfinder.com

 

Corporate Housing Recommendations

In addition to websites, your Housing Department has solid suggestions that are both current and in safe residential communities in a short commuting distance to our major hospital facilities. As we accommodate several hundred travelers yearly, we have great recommendations all over Los Angeles with positive feedback from our Travelers!

Tower 737737 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-787-4485
www.experience737.com

Amenities include

– Flexible lease terms
– Studios, 1, & 2 bedrooms
– On-site concierge
– Fitness center
– Business center
– Rooftop lounge
– Parking: $300
– Near Union Square

Bayside Villa Apartments

3 Bayside Village Place
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-491-7650 [International Headquarters] www.baysidevillage.com

Located in the tony South Beach area of SF, Bayside Village is steps from the Embarcadero and a stroll to the Ferry Building. You can stay as short as 30-days.

Amenities include:

– Fully furnished Studios and 1-bedrooms
– Inclusive of all utilities
– Three heated pools
– Weight Room
– Yoga and Aerobic classes
– Home theatre room
– Onsite grocery and deli

International Quarters

2143 East Francisco Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-491-7650
https://www.iqhousing.com/

– Visa/MasterCard is accepted as payment
– Credit Card authorization form [needed for any damages or additional costs incurred]

Palo Alto Place Apartments

565 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-493-8577
www.srgliving.com/paloaltoplace

Amenities include

– Central AC
– Elevators
– In-home Washer and Dryers
– Elevators
– Fitness Center
– Pool

Westlake Village Apartments

333 Park Plaza Drive
Daly City, CA 94015
650-755-8133
www.westlakevillageapts.com

Amenities Include:

– 3,6, and 12 month lease options
– Walk to BART
– Laundry Facilities
– 24-hr Courtesy Patrol
– Elevators
– Close to walking and biking trails

Urban Flat [at Radius Apartments]

620 Veterans Blvd.
Redwood City, A 94063
www.urbanflat.com
[email protected]
424-299-0773

Amenities Include:

– Fully furnished 1-bedroom “turn-key” unit
– In-home Washer and Dryer
– All utilities covered
– Pool & Spa
– 24/7 Fitness Center
– 24/7 Security
– Underground Parking
– Walking distance to CalTran
– Pay by Credit Card
– Can accommodate less than 30-days and long term [best rates]

Bella Vista at Hilltop

3400 Richmond Pkwy
Richmond, CA 94806
510-223-2000

www.bvapartments.com

Amenities Include:

– Smoke Free
– Community
– Four swimming pools
– Fitness Center
– Lighted Tennis Courts
– Full size in-home
– Washer & Dryer
– Close to BART and Freeway access
– 24-hr Courtesy Patrol

Extended Stay America

1775 Francisco Blvd. East
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-451-1887

www.extendedstayamerica.com

Amenities Include:

– Kitchens with refrigerator, microwave and stovetop, cooking utensils
– On-site guest laundry
– Fitness Facility
– Free Wi-Fi
– Covered pool

 

Living as a Travel Nurse with Pets

When traveling with your furry companions, having recommended pet resources at your fingertips is vital. The following ‘pet picks’ are referenced by many of our Hotel and Landlord contacts in the Bay Area. Here you can explore San Francisco’s top dog parks, shops, groomers, and pet sitters.

Crissy Field Dog Run and Beach1199 E. Beach 94129
Lafayette Park
Gough & Sacramento Street, 94115

Le Marcel Bakery for Dogs

2066 Union Street, 94123

Pet Food Express

3 locations:
3160 20th Ave
3050 California St
1975 Market St.

Doggie Day Spaw

415-933-0991
920 Harrison St, Suite 6,94107

Who Let the Dogs Out?[mobile grooming, dog walking & sitting] 415-419-8777
1819 Polk St, 94109

Sitters & Walkers

Pick up!

415-829-7376

Wag Hotel

415-876-0700
25 14th Street,94103

 

Traveling in San Francisco as a Travel Nurse

Parking & Transportation Resources

For renters in San Francisco, a parking space is considered an amenity and extremely costly.  The average monthly parking rate for those lucky to get an assigned garage or lot space in the heart of the financial district has increased 9.43% from $404.25 in 2010 to $442.38 per car, month in 2015.
Most other areas in and around the City seem to average close to $375.

Innovative Parking Solutions

Many commercial garage or lot signs have you inquire within for the monthly rate. To avoid circling around the city for hours looking for an available garage, consider parking search engines.

The SFpark app provides real-time information on parking availability and cost. You can find prices and hours using the on-line map and mobile map. It is currently available in the Financial District, along the Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, Civic Center, Marina Union Street, and Mission District. Available in iTunes and Google Play Stores.

Public Transportation

If you opt not to take your own automobile and plan on relying on the public
transportation offered for your community, carefully research the transit
routes and schedules.  San Francisco is one of the easiest cities in the world to navigate. There are plenty of transportation options, including the world famous cable cars, bus lines, and ride sharing. The following sites offer trip planners, routes and schedules:

– Transit.511.org
– Sfmta.com
– Bart.gov

Rental Car

If public transportation is not your preference, renting a car in the Bay Area is easy, but can be costly.  If you are flying into Oakland or San Francisco International Airport and need a rental car, booking ahead is highly recommended.

Suggested Companies

If renting a car, check out these companies that offer a discount by utilizing Epic Travel Staffing corporate code.

800-527-0700
www.budget.com
Discount Code: U343028

Tip: As renting a car at the airport is the most convenient option, many times you can capture better rates at the off –airport locations.

800-593-0505
www.enterprise.com
Discount Code: 32C4388
PIN: ‘EME’

800-654-8216
www.hertz.com
Discount code: 1608528.

800-CAR RENT
www.nationalcar.com
Contract ID: GCAMA032
www.nationalcar.com/offer/GCAMA032

Thrifty Car Rental – 800-327-7607
Corporate Account 00102293

Exploring San Francisco Bay as a Travel Nurse

Known as “The City by the Bay,” there is no shortage of things to do in this bustling metropolis. Famous for Victorian home lined streets, classic cable cars, and diverse nightlife, San Francisco has it all!

City Escapes

Union Square
www.visitunionsquare.com
This one block plaza and surrounding area bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton streets is one of the largest collections of department stores, upscale boutiques, gifts shops, art galleries, and restaurants in the United States. The City of Paris was one of San Francisco’s most important department stores from 1850-1976, In 1980 the store was demolished to build the current Neiman Marcus however, the original rotunda and glass dome were preserved and incorporated into the design listing it as a California Historical Landmark.

Golden Gate Park
www.golden-gate-park.com
Golden Gate Park is located in the heart of San Francisco and consists of over 1017 acres. It is the fifth most visited park in the United States after Central Park in New York City.The “Janis Joplin Tree” is a favorite site for many tourists and locals. Located on the edge of Hippie Hill [a small hill on the eastern end of Golden Gate Park] it is said to have just enough room in its branches for a girl and her guitar.

AT&T Park
https://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ballpark/
AT&T Park is home to the World Series Champions: The San Francisco Giants! Opened in 2000, AT&T park has breathtaking views of the Bay and fantastic amenities. Catch a game when the Giants are in town. Even the worst seats in the house [way out in left field] still gives one a commanding view of the Bay Bridge and Marina.

Ferry Building Plaza
www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
It is the center of a transit hub that connects all of San Francisco’s neighborhoods and the surrounding bay communities. Located within the historic Ferry Building is the Ferry Building Marketplace serving an array of eateries and restaurants. A must: The Slanted Door www.slanteddoor.com . A wall of floor to ceiling windows overlooks the Bay in this contemporary Vietnamese restaurant.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Marin Headlands
www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands
Located at the southernmost end of Marin County, this hilly peninsula connects the two counties. The entire area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The headlands are famous for their views of the Bay Area, especially the iconic Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz
www.nps.gov/alca
In 1934, the largest reinforced concrete structure, the Penitentiary Alcatraz was completed. It was in operation from 1934-1963 and was home to some of America’s notorious criminals. Look into the Alcatraz Night Tour which includes roundtrip ferry transportation! Advanced reservations are a must:
www.alcatraztickets.com.

Hidden Escapes
The Octagon House Museum
2645 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA
www.nscda-ca.org
The McElroy Octagon House, also known as the Colonial Dames Octagon House is
in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco. Built in 1861 across the street from its present location. In 1971, it became San Francisco Landmark #17.

Winchester Mystery House
www.greystonemansion.org 
The Winchester Mystery House was once the personal residence of Sarah
Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Wert Winchester. The Queen
Anne Style Victorian is known for its 160 rooms and bizarre phenomena. The
architectural oddities include a window built to the floor, staircases leading to nowhere, doors that open to blank walls, and upside down posts. Tours range from The Grand Estate Tour, The Mansion Tour, and the Flashlight Tour.

Angel Island
www.angelisland.com
Open daily, Angel Island State Park is a hidden gem and a wonderful destination for great food, exploration and expansive views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin County headlands and Mount Tamalpais. From San Francisco, take the Blue & Gold Fleet from Pier 41. Departure is at 9:45 am both weekdays and weekends. www.blueandgoldfleet.com.