SFO San Francisco International Airport Cell Phone Lot Guide

General Rules

UNATTENDED VEHICLES WILL BE CITED AND TOWED AT OWNER’S EXPENSE
For info call 876-2424
SFIA 4.3 C.V.C. 22658 A

60 MINUTE LIMIT
5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
LOT CLOSED FROM 1 a.m. TO 5 a.m.
SFIA 6.3

DON’T FEED THE BIRDS
$100 FINE
SFIA 3.3(c)

- The SFO Cell Phone Waiting Lot is located at North McDonnell Road & San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94128
- It is adjacent to SFO’s Long-Term Parking facility, and only about a 5-minute drive from the terminals (when traffic is favorable).
- Use is free, but with conditions:
  Waiting curbside at terminals or parking on airport roadways is not allowed. Drivers are required to use this lot until their passenger is ready to be picked up.

Some common complaints, observations, and coping strategies:

The queue to enter the cell phone lot is often backed up for blocks in every direction, making it slow and frustrating to access.
Many blame the shared entrance: Uber/Lyft / rideshare traffic is forced into the same line as the private vehicles waiting.
Several users recommend entering from San Bruno Avenue (a side‐entrance) instead of from Airport Blvd / McDonnell Rd, to avoid the worst of the line.
One commenter says:
“You can actually also access it from a small side street off San Bruno Ave. Recommend doing that.” Reddit

Some suggest that when the lot is too congested, waiting elsewhere (In-N-Out, McDonald’s, Costco, or a parking lot near BART/Caltrain) is better.
A few propose alternative strategies like using “kiss-and-ride,” or meeting the person at a transit point like BART and then taking them in from there.
Some mention that illegal turns / drivers not following turn lanes contribute to “gridlock” in the lines.

Tip	How to use it
Use alternate entry routes	If possible, approach from San Bruno Avenue (or a side street) rather than via the main Airport Blvd / McDonnell Rd entrance. This can avoid the worst of the line.
Arrive “off-peak” if possible	Try to time your pickup during less busy hours (outside peak arrival windows) so the queue is shorter.
Wait elsewhere close by, then drive in	If the cell lot is backed up, park or wait in a nearby lot (e.g., a nearby commercial lot, or a restaurant parking lot) and move in once the line shortens.
Use “kiss-and-ride” / curbside pickup	In some cases, it’s simpler to pull up to curbside for a short meet rather than entering the cell lot.
Meet at transit hubs	Have your passenger come via BART / Caltrain and meet there rather than having you drive into crowded airport areas.

Be patient and cautious with turns

Don’t try illegal turns to “shortcut” — it often worsens traffic or causes delays for everyone.

Check real-time traffic / queues

Use navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze) to see if the cell lot entrance is congested, and take alternate routes or delay entry accordingly.

Observe and adapt

Sometimes signs or entrance configurations change; always watch for signage or announcements, because what worked previously may change.

Facility	Type / Use Case	Key Features / Restrictions	Notes / Tips
Domestic Hourly Parking (Domestic Garage)	Ideal for short-term stays if you intend to wait inside for some time	Connected via internal walkways / tunnels to domestic terminals.	High rates — use only if the cell lot is full or inaccessible.
International Hourly Garages A & G	For meeting passengers arriving at the International Terminal	Walkways to terminal; AirTrain access to domestic terminals.	Watch for height restrictions in garages.
Long-Term Parking (Onsite)	For longer stays or overnight waiting	Access from Hwy 101 / I-380; connected via AirTrain to terminals.	Cheaper than hourly lots but less convenient for short waits.
ParkFAST	Premium short-term option	Dedicated entry and reserved spots in Domestic Garage.	Pay extra for convenience and guaranteed space.

Lot	Approx Location / Address	Shuttles / Access Notes	Good For / Considerations
Anza Parking	615 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA 94010	Shuttle every ~10 minutes; stops at all terminals.	Reliable mid-term parking alternative.
Park ‘N Fly / The Parking Spot – SFO	Near Bayshore Fwy & I-380 junction	Shuttle picks up at your car and drops at terminals.	Balanced choice between cost and convenience.
Burlingame Airport Parking (Park BAP)	620 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA	Shuttle loop every ~30 minutes (4:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m.)	Great if airport lots are full or expensive.
Park SFO (Private lot)	North edge of airport, near S Airport Blvd	Secure lot with shuttle service to terminals.	Popular with frequent travelers; cheaper long-term rates.

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.