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Bay Area air travelers welcome new refund rules on canceled flights, lost luggage

By Katie Nielsen

April 24, 2024 / 5:53 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

With the summer travel season looming and with as more people take to the skies at Bay Area airports, new rules are aiming to help passengers fed up with delays, cancellations, lost luggage and hidden fees.

More than 70 million passengers traveled through local airports in 2023, a significant jump from the year before.

In what is being called the biggest expansion in of passenger rights in the Department of Transportation history, new rules announced Wednesday will make it easier for travelers to get their money back if their flights are delayed or cancelled. It's all part of the Biden administration's plan to strengthen consumer protections.

"I'm usually on an airplane about once or twice a week," said attorney David Amell. He was flying back to Oakland from LAX on Wednesday and said he was bumped from his original flight and re-booked on a later flight.

Amell said that isn't bad compared to a Saturday a few months ago when he was stuck at LAX for more than eight hours due to cancelations.

"I think I got like a $150 voucher. At that point I would have paid them $150 extra to get on a flight," the frequent flyer told CBS News Bay Area.

It's situations like those that spurred the Department of Transportation to draft new rules to protect travelers.

• ALSO READ: New airline rules will make it easier to get refunds for canceled flights. Here's what to know.

"We have heard it all. And too often the things that we hear about aren't just irritating inconveniences. They are significant harms, and more importantly, violations of passengers' rights.  And we're here to do something about that," said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

The rules announced Wednesday require a refund - not flight credit or miles - for a canceled flight.

If passengers are delayed for more than three hours for a domestic flight or six hours for an international flight they can get a refund if they don't want to fly.

Bag fees also have refunded if a checked bag is significantly delayed, and passengers get a refund if services they paid for aren't available, such as broken Wi-Fi.

Airlines are also now required to disclose fees up front for things like checked bags, carry on bags, or changing or canceling a flight.

"This isn't just about enforcing when something goes wrong. It's making it less likely something would go wrong in the first place," Buttigieg said.

It's a welcome change for passengers like Angela Menjibar, who missed a connection coming back from an international trip.

"Last night my flight was delayed leaving Montego Bay. Got me just in time to miss my flight, I had to get rebooked," she said.

Menjibar also told CBS News Bay Area she hopes the new rules will also incentivize airlines to plan better and solve problems before they arise.

"It should be a wakeup call to them. Anytime someone is hit in the pocketbook, it should kind of wake you up, right?" said Menjibar.

"Cancelations, delays, they happen. But they shouldn't happen because the airline is just seeking to maximize profit. So I think that moves by the government such as this, I think it's great," said Amell.

The new rules about refunds go into effect in six months. The rest will start a year from now.

A spokesperson for the group "Airlines for America", which represents the largest U.S. carriers, said airlines "offer a range of options including fully refundable fairs to increase availability to air travel and help customers make ticket selections to best fit their needs" and noted refund complaints have fallen sharply since mid-2020.

• Biden Administration
• Pete Buttigieg

Katie Nielsen is an award-winning reporter who has spent more than 10 years sharing people's stories. She joined KPIX in the summer of 2017, and just a few months later, found herself covering the Wine Country Wildfires.

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TSA encourages travelers departing Bay Area airports during end-of-year holiday travel season to “Know Before You Go”

SAN FRANCISCO - Encouraging passengers to “Know Before You Go,” the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provided tips for those who are planning to depart any of the three Bay Area airport during the end-of-the year holiday season.

The official end-of-the-year holiday travel season is projected to start around Friday, December 15 and continue through Tuesday, January 2. During this period, TSA is projecting higher than usual travel volumes at each of the local airports, encouraging travelers to arrive at the airport early and prepared.

The busiest days of the holiday season locally and nationally for air travel are projected to be Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22 as well as Thursday, December 28 and Friday, December 29, 2023.

At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), TSA projects a steady volume of departing travelers throughout the holiday with more than 493,000 people being screened between December 17 and December 23. SFO saw a 14% increase in passenger traffic from November 2022 to November 2023. Similar increases are projected for this December compared to last year.  In Terminals 1 and 2, the busiest times at the security checkpoints are 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.; in Terminal 3; operations are busy starting at 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. These terminals are busy through the late morning and again in the evening from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The International Terminal is busiest 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

At San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), TSA projects it will screen more than 120,000 departing travelers during the week of December 17 through December 23. Busiest times at the SJC checkpoints are 5 a.m. to 7am; 12pm to 2pm; and 5pm to 7pm. SJC has seen a more than 9.3% growth in passengers screened compared to last year.

“On behalf of the TSA teams throughout the Bay Area, I can say with confidence that we are prepared to handle the expected surge in the number of people who will be traveling by air during the holiday travel period,” said TSA Federal Security Director at SFO Fred Lau. “This will include ensuring checkpoints are staffed and lanes are open to screen departing travelers. We encourage everyone to do their part to prepare for the security screening process, whether you are a seasoned travelers or you haven’t traveled by air recently.” 

For the past several months, TSA has been planning for the holiday travel season. It will have the security checkpoints staffed and the checked baggage screening operation ready for the high volume of travelers expected to travel by air over the next few weeks. TSA strives to get travelers through the general security screening process in less than 30 minutes and through TSA PreCheck® screening in less than 10 minutes.

During the screening process in the security checkpoint, travelers are reminded to remove items from their pockets such as phones, keys or loose change. These items should be secure in their carry-on bags instead of placing them in bins. This simple step will prevent items from being left behind in the checkpoint and ending up in the local Lost and Found. 

The most common thing that slows down screening at a TSA checkpoint is having a prohibited item in a carry-on bag. This will guarantee that the traveler will experience a bag check in the checkpoint, slowing the process down for the traveler as well as reducing the overall efficiency of the screening process.

Two of the most common prohibited items TSA officers encounter are liquids, gels and aerosols (LGAs) in excess of 3.4 ounces and knives. Since 2006, TSA has limited the amount of LGAs a traveler can bring into the cabin of the aircraft to 3.4 ounces, which is equivalent to 100 ml. Any liquid in a quantity greater than 3.4 ounces such as lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock and hair gel should be placed in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must travel with them, they must be placed in your checked bag.

With more than 1.4 million travelers expected to be screened through the Bay Area security checkpoints at SFO, SJC and OAK during the holidays, TSA provides the following tips to help things go smoothly.

1. Utilize TSA resources to travel smart. To avoid bringing prohibited items in carry-on luggage, start with an empty bag or suitcase. If you aren’t sure how to travel with an item, visit TSA.gov or download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872.

2. Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper. Wrapped items are screened just like any other item. If a wrapped item alarms the security screening technology whether in carry-on or checked luggage, a security officer may have to unwrap it to determine what the item is and confirm it does not pose a security threat. Consider traveling with unwrapped items or placing them in a gift bag for easy access and resolution.

3. Have a plan for traveling with holiday foods. Individuals often like to travel with food items during the holiday season. Foods may be transported on flights. Solid food items like fruitcake, candy canes and chocolates are solids and may be transported in a carry-on bag. However, liquids and spreadable foods such as egg nog, wine, champagne, maple syrup and preserves are not solid and should be packed in checked bags. Here’s a helpful tip: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it and it is larger than 3.4 ounces, it needs to be packed in a checked bag.

4. Confirm your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your airline reservation. If you have enrolled as a Trusted Traveler, make sure your KTN and correct date of birth are in your airline reservation so you will be eligible for TSA PreCheck screening. There are more than 90 airlines that participate in TSA PreCheck and TSA offers the TSA PreCheck experience at every airport nationwide. Travelers 17 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian on the same itinerary.

5. Download your California digital ID. TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers screened through SFO’s Terminal 3 or SJC’s Terminal 2 can use their California mobile driver license (mDL) for identity verification. California Department of Motor Vehicles has made the mDL available at no cost. Just download the CA DMV Wallet app from the  Apple App Store  or  Google Play and follow the steps to add it to your smartphone. Travelers can use the California mDL in lieu of handing over their physical photo ID to the TSA security screening officer when entering the checkpoint.

Flying to San Francisco: Complete Guide to Bay Area Airports

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: December 16, 2022

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Planning a trip to San Francisco, California? A lot of travelers to the Bay Area don’t realize that the region has quite a few ways to get here by air. In fact, the San Francisco Bay Area has three major international airports – San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC).

Very few metropolitan areas are served by three airports within such a close distance. This affords San Francisco-bound travelers on a budget a lot of choices to shop around for competitive airfare. And depending on where you are going when you get here, the three airports also allow you to fly in and out with easy logistics because there is an airport close to pretty much everywhere you want to travel.

If you are a traveler flying to San Francisco, how do you choose among the three options? As a Bay Area local now for nearly two decades, I’ve flown in and out of every airport in the area many, many times, Naturally, I have a lot of experiences (both triumphs and failures) to share!

Here are the airport essentials you need to know about the three ways to the San Francisco Bay.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Flying Into San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Fast facts about sfo.

• Drive time to downtown San Francisco : 25-30 minutes (15 miles)
• Airlines with most service : United, Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest
• Additional airlines available : Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air New Zealand, Air Transat, ANA, Asiana, Avianca, Breeze, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Condor, Copa Airlines, Emirates, EVA AIR, Fiji Airways, Flair Airlines, Frenchbee, Finnair, Frontier, Hawaiian, Iberia, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, Korean Air, Level, Lufthansa, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Sun Country, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet
• Nearby hotels : Grand Hyatt at SFO (on-site), San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront , Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
• Airport website : flysfo.com

Located south of the city of San Francisco in San Mateo County is San Francisco International Airport. SFO is the largest airport in the region and the one that most international travelers will need to use to arrive into the Bay Area. It is served by every major U.S. airline as well as quite a few foreign carriers.

While it has a lot of service and sometimes super-cheap fares, SFO is notorious for delays. San Francisco’s infamous fog regularly results in a reduction in the airport’s takeoff and landing capacity. Beware short connections at SFO and flights later in the afternoon and evening when delays stack up, especially in the winter rainy months.

SFO Airport Layout

San Francisco International Airport is shaped like a large circle, with multiple terminals protruding outward from the center circle in a sun shape. The airport has 3 domestic terminals. Terminal 1 (the new Harvey Milk Terminal) has the B gates, Terminal 2 has the C and D gates, and Terminal 3 has the E and F gates.

There is a single enormous international terminal made up of two different gate areas, A and G, each with its own separate security checkpoint.

All the terminals at SFO are connected pre-security by the AirTrain which also connects to public transit at the airport’s BART station (more on BART below). For a long time, the terminals at SFO were mostly not interconnected past security but recent construction has now finally connected most of pieces together. Currently, the connections available are:

• Terminal 3 to the G gates of the International Terminal (helpful for United travelers connecting with Star Alliance international flights)
• Terminal 2 to Terminal 3: New as of late 2021 (this means it’s conceivable to walk all the way from Terminal 2 to International Terminal G without exiting the secure area, but not sure I recommend that!)
• Terminal 1 to the A gates of the International Terminal (helpful for American and Alaska travelers connecting with OneWorld international flights and Delta travelers connecting with SkyTeam international flights)

The only major connection that cannot be made as of the end of 2022 is in between Terminals 1 and 2.

When departing from SFO, be aware that airport security lines can be long during busy times and during holiday periods, so plan ahead. The good news is that there are a number of ways to skip the line at SFO. If you have TSA Pre-Check, use it. Otherwise look for the family lanes if you are traveling with young kids or the elite lines if you have status on the airline you are flying (see my tips for expedited airport security with kids ).

SFO is an airport that is also served by CLEAR, a paid trusted traveler service that allows you to cut even more of the lines. We’ve found membership worth the cost over the last several years.

Finally, SFO of course offers both Global Entry or Mobile Passport for arriving international travelers.

SFO Airport Amenities & Food

Pretty much all the amenities you’d expect of a large international airport can be found at SFO. Most airlines have an affiliated lounge, and there’s also a Centurion Lounge for American Express Platinum card holders by the F gates in Terminal 3. Priority Pass members have only limited choices, as the two affiliated lounges (Virgin Atlantic and KLM/Air France) are both in International Terminal A.

Visitors from less crunchy areas of the country will surely get a kick out of the yoga room available in Terminal 2. The airport also has an affiliated museum that has exhibitions on display within the passenger terminals to pass the time.

For travelers with kids, the airport’s amenities are about as good as it gets in a US airport. SFO has kids play areas in every terminal that are unique and engaging (my kids are fans!). The airport also has multiple private nursing rooms in every terminal.

Related: Guide to SFO Airport with Kids

As a city known for its restaurants, San Francisco definitely ups the ante when it comes to airport cuisine. Large national chains and fast food are in short supply at SFO. Instead, expect to find a lot of restaurants from diverse local chefs. A few of my personal favorites with airport locations: Gott’s Roadside, Dogpatch Bakehouse & Caffe, Drake’s Flyaway, and Farmerbrown.

Transportation to and from SFO

Getting to the city is fairly easy for those arriving into SFO. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), serves SFO and can take you to some of the most common areas in San Francisco that vacationers or business travelers need to go. In particular, getting to Union Square or the Financial District is a breeze on BART. Travel time is about 35-40 minutes and the fare as of end of 2022 is $10.00.

Related: Complete Guide to Transit & Transportation in San Francisco

BART does not provide easy access from and to the airport to every destination, however. Travelers headed to some of the hotels on Nob Hill or Fisherman’s Wharf or to other destinations elsewhere around the bay should look into other transportation options. Taxis cost about $80 from SFO to the city. Ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber are plentiful and tend to be quite a bit cheaper (often around $50 without surge pricing).

Flying Into Oakland International Airport (OAK)

Fast Facts about OAK

• Drive time to downtown San Francisco : 25-35 minutes (19 miles)
• Airlines with most service : Southwest, Spirit, Alaska, Hawaiian
• Additional airlines available : Allegiant, Azores Airlines, Contour, Delta, Frontier, JSX, Volaris
• Nearby hotels : Hampton Inn & Suites Oakland Airport-Alameda , Springhill Suites by Marriott – Oakland Airport
• Airport website : oaklandairport.com

While not as large as SFO, Oakland International Airport offers a quality logistical and value based alternative for Bay Area travelers. And I’m not just saying that because I live only a couple of miles away!

Located in Oakland just across the Bay Bridge and down I-880, OAK is basically just as close as SFO is to the major tourist centers of San Francisco proper. It is also subject to fewer fog related delays.

By far the largest carrier at Oakland is Southwest, which is my personal favorite for family travel. Other family-friendly airlines like Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines also fly a lot of routes into OAK. 

Related: Tips for Flying Southwest Airlines with Kids

Intra-California and West Coast routes are well served from OAK, as is Hawaii. Oakland’s international service has been up and down in recent years as new low cost airlines spring up but is starting to come back after the closures of 2020-2021.

OAK Airport Layout

Compared to SFO, Oakland International Airport is much smaller. The airport has two terminals that are side by side. Terminal 2 is occupied entirely by Southwest. Terminal 1 is home a few extra Southwest gates as well as to every other airline that flies out of OAK.

There are two TSA checkpoints – one for each terminal at OAK. There is a connector post-security between the terminals so you can use either checkpoint when lines are long. The walk between them is about 5-7 minutes.

Like SFO, OAK offers both Global Entry or Mobile Passport for arriving international travelers.

OAK Amenities and Food

As more of a locals and commuter airport, amenities at Oakland have historically been more limited. But the airport is in the later stages of a major renovation that should bring it up to speed. The airport is ditching a lot of the fast food chains and bringing in local restaurants much like SFO has done.

The airport has one lounge, operated by Escape Lounges. Entry is available for a $45 fee ($40 if pre-booked online) or is free to American Express Platinum Card holders.

Oakland is a very kid-friendly airport. It has a TSA family lane that rarely has any wait at all (but we tend to use Pre-Check which is just as short and is even easier to pass through with kids). There is a Mamava nursing room in each terminal for pumping or nursing moms who want privacy. If you are flying through Oakland with little ones in tow, don’t miss this complete guide to Oakland Airport with kids.

Transportation to and from OAK

Getting to San Francisco’s center after arriving into Oakland Airport is also fairly easy. Oakland has a train connector between the airport and the full BART system at the Oakland Coliseum stop (previously known as AirBART). Travel time into the city (including time on the connector) is about 30-40 minutes.

Taxis, shuttles, and ride-sharing are all also readily available. The cost to downtown San Francisco in an Uber or Lyft is about $55-60.

Flying Into San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)

Fast facts about sjc.

• Drive time to downtown San Francisco : 1 hour (47 miles)
• Airlines with most service : Southwest, Alaska, Delta
• Additional airlines available : Air Canada, American, British Airways, Hawaiian, JetBlue, United, Volaris, ZipAir
• Nearby hotels : Doubletree by Hilton San Jose Airport , Hyatt House San Jose Airport , SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Jose Airport
• Airport website : flysanjose.com

In the south bay near Silicon Valley, San Jose International Airport offers a third airport alternative roughly the same size at OAK. SJC has been growing mightily the last few years, adding a lot of new airlines and routes.

Like Oakland, the airport has lots of service up and down the West Coast and also more favorable weather conditions than SFO. Also like at Oakland, Southwest Airlines is the dominant airline, carrying more than 50% of SJC’s passengers. The airline has been expanding with some international routes in the last several years.

For travelers headed to the South Bay and Silicon Valley, the airport is definitely the most convenient. For San-Francisco bound travelers, the traffic along the busy I-80 corridor might be too prohibitive to make this a viable choice unless you have a very early morning or late night arrival or departure.

SJC Airport Layout

SJC has two terminals – A & B – next to one another, making it incredibly easy to navigate. Gates numbered 1-35 are located behind the airport side-by-side in a straight line.

SJC has two TSA checkpoints – one for each terminal. All the usual TSA shortcuts are available at SJC, including TSA Pre-Check and CLEAR. Lines can sometimes be quite long at peak travel times for anyone without these shortcuts so plan accordingly.

Like SFO and OAK, SJC has both Global Entry and Mobile Passport for arriving international travelers.

SJC Amenities & Food

Amenities at SJC are pretty solid for an airport of its size. The airport has a mix of higher end fast food restaurants (Smashburger, Einstein Bros. Bagels) as well as some local sit down options.

If you have a long layover or wait at SJC, consider paying to visit the airport lounge, The Club. The Club is located near gate A15 close to the middle of the airport near international arrivals. Priority Pass members get complimentary entry and others can access for a $45 fee. The Club offers free snacks, drinks, and even showers – a rarity in US airports.

For family travelers, the airport also has ample nursing/pumping rooms available but no kids play areas.

Transportation to and from SJC

For travelers headed to most of Silicon Valley, SJC is likely to be the most convenient airport for you. I’d recommend a rental car if you plan to spend any time in the valley, as it definitely more of a suburban atmosphere. Taking public transit isn’t really a realistic option unless you plan to focus your time in downtown San Jose. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are everywhere so those work as well if you don’t have extensive transportation needs.

Getting to San Francisco or the East Bay from SJC is a little more challenging and time-consuming. The two public transit train systems – BART and CalTrain – don’t go directly to SJC. Instead, you’ll need to take the free VTA Flyer Shuttles that link SJC with the Santa Clara CalTrain station or the Milpitas BART stop. CalTrain will drop you off south of Market Street in downtown San Francisco. BART will take you on a circuitous route through the East Bay first before crossing into San Francisco.

Uber or Lyft is about $95 from SJC to downtown San Francisco. Taxis, shared shuttles, and private car services are available as well.

Even More Bay Area and Northern California Airport Choices

San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose are home to the big three Bay Area airports. But truly savvy travelers know that there are a few more airports that travelers to and from the Bay Area might consider if a really good flight deal becomes available or if your San Francisco travels will include stops in some of the other tourist destinations of Northern California. These airports are smaller and that means that they are often more expensive, but not always. They include:

• Concord (CCR) : About 45 minutes from downtown San Francisco, located in the East Bay suburbs. This airport has JSX service to two SoCal destinations – Burbank and Orange County.
• Monterey (MRY) : About 2 hours from downtown San Francisco. With a world-famous aquarium and lots of attractions, Monterey is a favorite stop for a wide variety of traveler types. Family travelers – check out my guide to Monterey with kids .
• Sacramento (SMF) : About 1.5 hours from downtown San Francisco (but traffic can be very heavy on that corridor and can make it much longer at peak times). See my tips for visiting Old Sacramento with kids .
• Stockton (SCK) : About 1.5 hours from downtown San Francisco. The only commercial service is via low-cost carrier Allegiant from Las Vegas and Phoenix-Sky Harbor.
• Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) : About 1.5 hours from downtown San Francisco (but my recommendation would be to fly there and to stay in wine country!). Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Avelo all offer commercial service to several cities along the West Coast and in western states.
• Merced Regional Airport (MCE) : Served by Advanced Air only to LAX and Las Vegas.
• Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) : For travelers who plan to visit both Yosemite National Park and greater San Francisco as many do, this medium sized airport is a smart option. Service is available on AeroMexico, Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest, United, and Volaris.

Plan Your San Francisco Vacation!

If you are headed to San Francisco, these articles and guides can help you plan even more:

• 21 Very Best Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids
• The Perfect One Day Itinerary for San Francisco
• Free Things to do in San Francisco with Kids
• Top Family-Friendly Day Trips Near San Francisco
• National Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Guide to San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
• Tips for Visiting San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square

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15 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways in the Bay Area, CA

Written by Lisa Alexander and Freddy Sherman Updated Jan 3, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

When you're ready for a break and want to get away from San Francisco for the weekend, you have a seemingly endless array of options. Couples may want a romantic getaway near San Francisco, like The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay with its ocean-view rooms, luxurious spa, and fine dining. Families traveling with children may prefer a resort destination with a wider range of activities, like Lake Tahoe or Yosemite National Park .

You don't have to travel far from San Francisco to feel like you are getting away from it all. Muir Beach in Marin County is only 18 miles from The City (about a 45-minute drive) but gives the impression of a hidden paradise. The landmark Claremont Club & Spa offers a pampering resort experience only 12 miles (a 35-minute drive) from San Francisco.

California's excellent freeway and highway system means many weekend getaways from the Bay Area are no more than a few hours away by car. The historic waterfront town of Monterey and the enchanting seaside village of Carmel are about a three-hour drive down the coast.

Plan an interesting short break, adventurous weekend away, or relaxing escape with our list of the best weekend getaways in the Bay Area.

1. Lake Tahoe

2. stinson beach, 3. muir beach, 4. point reyes, 5. the claremont club & spa, 6. monterey, 7. carmel-by-the-sea, 8. lake berryessa, 9. bodega bay, 10. sausalito, 11. half moon bay, 13. santa cruz, 14. mammoth lakes, 15. yosemite national park.

The country's largest alpine lake covers a part of the border between California and Nevada, about 200 miles from the Bay Area. The drive takes only about four hours without traffic.

During wintertime, Lake Tahoe is a snowy wonderland and a world-class ski destination. Several large-scale ski resorts surround Lake Tahoe, and the ski slopes overlook the dazzling expanse of emerald-blue waters.

In the summer, outdoor activities draw many visitors to Lake Tahoe. Families and adventure seekers alike appreciate the wide range of attractions and things to do , from boating and fishing to hiking and mountain biking. Thousands of miles of hiking trails are found in the Lake Tahoe wilderness.

When the weather is warm, visitors flock to Lake Tahoe's beaches for the stunning mountain scenery and wide array of recreational opportunities. During the summer, the lake's snow-melted waters become more temperate (tolerable for swimming in shallow area), and the ripples glisten in the sunshine.

Kings Beach State Recreation Area offers a superb stretch of sandy beach that is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and boating. The recreation area has excellent amenities, and the nearby town of Kings Beach is brimming with shops, casual eateries, and snack bars. Another favorite lakefront spot is Incline Village , a lively area with an abundance of hotels, boutiques, and restaurants.

You can't beat Stinson Beach for an old-fashioned easy Bay Area weekend getaway, especially for families. Tucked away behind rolling hills in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area , Stinson Beach is considered one of the best beaches in California . The fine white-sand shoreline extends for miles. It's a great beach for sunbathing and playing volleyball in the summertime, and swimming is possible when the conditions are safe.

Lifeguards survey the beach from July through Labor Day weekend. Winter and spring seasons draw surfers, who practice the sport at their own risk. Facilities at Stinson Beach include public restrooms, showers, a snack bar, and picnic areas with BBQ grills.

The old-school town of Stinson Beach offers an eclectic mix of locally owned shops, cafés, and a small grocery store where tourists can pick up provisions for a day at the beach.

Although Stinson Beach is only 35 minutes from downtown San Francisco, it is refreshingly devoid of modern development. The town just has a few vintage hotels and boutique lodgings.

Travelers should be aware that the drive to Stinson Beach is a difficult winding portion of Highway One, with many hairpin turns, although many people love the coastal views along the way. During summertime, the road sometimes gets clogged with traffic, and the journey takes twice as long.

Another consideration: The parking lot at Stinson Beach often fills up on warm days, especially on weekends during summertime. It's best to arrive well before noon to get a parking spot.

Stinson Beach is located near two other top tourist attractions of Marin County: Mount Tamalpais State Park and the federally protected Muir Woods National Monument , a primeval forest of old-growth redwood trees.

Muir Beach is just 17 miles north of San Francisco but feels like a little hidden paradise far away from everything. Lush forested hillsides and shrub-covered bluffs shelter the small sandy beach, hidden in a sheltered cove.

The area surrounding the beach is protected as a nature preserve (part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area ) and includes a network of hiking trails with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

Redwood Creek and its tidal lagoon, which flows into Muir Beach, provide habitat for endangered Coho salmon and California red-legged frogs. A recent restoration project has improved the habitat and allowed the native species to thrive. To access the beach, visitors cross a pedestrian bridge that traverses Redwood Creek.

Those who appreciate a quiet setting will prefer Muir Beach to Stinson Beach. The picturesque environment is the focus at this beach, and facilities are limited to public restrooms, a small parking lot, and a few picnic tables near the parking lot. Several fire rings are available on the beach for creating beach bonfires. There are no lifeguards at Muir Beach.

Visitors should arrive early on summer weekends. The parking lot can fill up by around noon during high season, especially when the weather is warm. For picnics at the beach, a good place to pick up provisions on the way is at Good Earth Natural Foods .

For a romantic getaway, the Pelican Inn at Muir Beach is the perfect spot. The hotel offers old-world charm in an idyllic setting. The half-timbered whitewashed building, with its slate roof and leaded windows, channels a 16th-century English country inn. The hotel has cozy guest rooms that feature period decor and a restaurant that serves authentic English pub fare prepared from local ingredients.

Nestled in a coastal valley within walking distance of the Pelican Inn, the Green Gulch Farm is a haven of tranquility. This organic farm and garden is home to the San Francisco Zen Center . Visitors may attend meditation sessions, classes, Dharma talks, and other public events at the center.

Muir Beach is closer to San Francisco than Stinson Beach but is on the same Highway One oceanfront route; however, the drive is not quite as arduous. Muir Beach is just three miles away from the Muir Woods National Monument .

Point Reyes, less than an hour from San Francisco, is another unspoiled Bay Area getaway destination. The entire area is officially known as the Point Reyes National Seashore , a national park that includes the Point Reyes Lighthouse , which dates to 1870.

The Point Reyes Lighthouse is reached via a staircase of over 300 steps. Safety fencing surrounds the steps because they are built alongside an ocean bluff with sheer sides. Visitors can enter the lighthouse to see the historic Fresnel lens and clockwork mechanism.

A highlight of the Point Reyes National Seashore is Point Reyes Beach, also called Great Beach . This 11-mile expanse of pristine coastline is completely free of development.

The national seashore (like a national park) is also home to Drakes Beach , located near the lighthouse. This beach is America's version of England's White Cliffs of Dover with dramatic, sheer, white limestone cliffs towering hundreds of feet above the rough Pacific below.

This historic landmark hotel crowns the Oakland hills in the city of Berkeley, just 12 miles away across the Bay Bridge from downtown San Francisco. The Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel has delighted guests ever since it opened in 1915. Aside from being a luxury resort hotel, the Claremont is also a fitness and country club that offers private memberships.

The 22-acre four-star property offers an abundance of recreational opportunities: swimming in one of the three saline pools, playing tennis on one of the 10 courts, and hiking in the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve.

Many locals visit the Claremont to get a pampering spa treatment at the hotel's renowned spa, without staying overnight. Spa services include massages, facials, bath therapy, and hydrotherapy wellness experiences.

There are several dining options at the Claremont, including Limewood , a gourmet restaurant with superb Bay views; East Bay Provisions , a casual café that serves breakfast pastries, brunch, deli sandwiches, and salads; and Weekend Brunch that offers brunch and poolside meals on the weekends.

The small seaside town, formerly known for its fishing and fish packing industries, has evolved from the gritty John Steinbeck vision into a fun weekend getaway destination. Monterey is now filled with tourist attractions , and those former fish canneries are now trendy boutiques, art galleries, tourist shops, and restaurants.

It takes about 2.5 hours to drive down from San Francisco, via the very scenic Highway 1 coastal highway. Continuing farther past Monterey toward Carmel-by-the-Sea, travelers can drive along the epic 17-Mile Drive , which hugs the ocean bluffs overlooking Pebble Beach and other scenic spots like Spanish Bay .

Most tourists congregate in the area around Cannery Row and near the Monterey Bay Aquarium , a must-see attraction that showcases the incredibly rich biodiversity of the bay.

For beachfront accommodations, you have to drive around Monterey Bay to Monterey State Beach . The three-star Monterey Tides hotel is steps away from the beach and has wonderful views of Monterey Bay. This chic beachfront hotel appeals to both couples and families.

The next city down the coast from Monterey, Carmel is a quaint seaside village known for its top-notch resort amenities: locally owned boutiques, art galleries, luxurious hotels, cute cafés, candy shops, bakeries, and fine-dining restaurants. Shopping is one of the top things to do in Carmel . It's fun to browse the one-of-a-kind shops and discover artisan-made products.

Development is heavily controlled in downtown Carmel. The flower-bedecked and tree-shaded streets are lined with an ensemble of traditional Spanish-style buildings and enchanting storybook cottages that date to the 1920s. The village also has no traffic lights, no parking meters, and no individual address numbers on buildings (each building has a name instead).

The city is officially called Carmel-by-the-Sea and has long been a haven for artists of all types. The city bills itself as being extremely dog-friendly, and canine companions are welcome in most of the city's businesses. Dogs are also welcome, off-leash, at Carmel Beach .

Carmel's sublime sandy beach and stunning sunsets make it the perfect destination for romantic couples' getaways.

This man-made lake was created in the 1960s with the construction of a large dam that now provides hydroelectric power to several Bay Area cities. The lake, the largest in Napa County, is where San Franciscans come to relax and to play on the water.

Lake Berryessa is very popular with boaters, as well as swimmers and water skiers. The lake is stocked with a wide variety of fish and is a popular getaway destination for anglers .

Surrounding the lake is a vast, 6,000-acre nature reserve, which has hiking trails and other places to explore. The lake is north of San Francisco and it takes about two hours to drive here.

About 90 minutes north of San Francisco in Sonoma County, Bodega Bay is another Bay Area getaway that delights visitors with its wild, rugged stretch of coastline. The large protected bay shelters a sprawling shoreline of fine golden-sand beaches and is a popular spot for kayaking.

The community incorporates a fishing harbor and the quaint village of Bodega Bay. The town caters to tourists with a wide range of accommodations, including upscale hotels like the Inn at the Tides and the Bodega Bay Lodge. There are also affordable options such as the Bodega Coast Inn & Suites.

Movie fans will recognize the town of Bodega Bay from its appearance as the location for the iconic Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds .

The area's history is fascinating. It was occupied by the Russians in the early 19 th century before becoming part of Spanish California and later the United States.

This picture-perfect seaside community nestles along a quiet bay in Marin County, on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's just a short ferry ride away from San Francisco.

Wooded hillsides enclose the town, and an array of beautiful mansions perch above the bay. Sunny yacht marinas give Sausalito the feel of a Mediterranean coastal resort town and are often captured by local artists in paintings. Tucked away at the waterfront are colorful little houseboats, relics of the town's free-spirited days in the Bohemian 1960s.

Sausalito has an inviting downtown filled with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. The most bustling area of the town is found right next to the ferry terminal and continuing from there along Bridgeway , the town's main street, which runs alongside a scenic waterfront path .

Several gourmet restaurants on Bridgeway (or just off this street) feature fabulous bay views, including The Spinnaker and the upscale Italian restaurant Scoma's of Sausalito .

The coastal landscape of the Marin Headlands provides a splendid backdrop for the town of Sausalito. Some of the views of the Golden Gate Bridge, bay, and city from the elevated locations in Sausalito are truly amazing (and very Instagram-worthy).

In a secluded coastal setting, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is the perfect Bay Area romantic getaway for couples. This five-star hotel is the only seaside luxury resort in Northern California, and most of the rooms and suites have spectacular ocean views. The resort sits atop a cliff, with a pristine sandy beach only a short walk away.

Amenities at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay include a championship golf course, an enormous spa, tennis courts, and fitness center. The hotel also has three excellent restaurants with amazing ocean views.

The charming small country town and its surrounding nature sites offer plenty of tourist appeal. Half Moon Bay is a popular weekend destination for couples, as well as for families with kids, and outdoorsy types. Visitors can take walks along the beach, check out the local farms, and go hiking in the nearby redwood forests.

Sonoma County, about an hour's drive from San Francisco, is like a cheaper, more authentic Napa Valley. It's filled with vine-covered fields, and there are many curbside farm stands where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Dairies and other local producers also have roadside shops where you can buy and try fresh cheese, meats, and other foods. The area is also populated with a few luxury resorts and spas.

Outdoor activities include hiking, biking (road and mountain), boating, and fishing. A good place to hike is the Jack London State Historic Park , which aside from having miles of hiking trails, has the former home and the grave of celebrated author Jack London.

Sonoma is both a city and a county, and Sonoma Plaza is the city of Sonoma's 19 th -century town center and main street area. Railroad buffs (and kids) will love the Sonoma TrainTown Railroad , a small-gauge steam railroad and train amusement park.

Synonymous with summertime fun in the sun, Santa Cruz boasts one of the best beaches in California , only a short drive (90 minutes) from San Francisco. This classic beach town has a superb beach with an expansive shoreline of soft, golden sand. Sunny weather and a sheltered location in a protected bay, with gentle surf, are other advantages of Santa Cruz Beach.

Next to the beach is the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk , an old-school, mile-long wooden boardwalk, lined with shops, carnival games, and next to an amusement park. The Boardwalk opened way back in 1907, and two rides (the Giant Dipper roller coaster and the Looff Carousel) are even National Historic Landmarks.

The ocean in front of the beach is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and from the beach, you can often see dolphins, otters, sea lions, and whales.

Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Santa Cruz

This natural getaway destination is another year-round outdoor area known mainly for its winter sports. It's a beautiful six-hour drive from San Francisco (or a 45-minute flight). The town is in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and Mammoth Mountain is the local mountain and the name of the ski resort. Yosemite National Park is close-by, and nearby Mono Lake , with it's lunar-like landscape, is also something to see.

The elevation is high, and so is the snowpack, sometimes allowing ski areas to stay open well into the summer months.

A visit to the Mammoth area should also include a stop at the nearby Manzanar National Historic Site . This is one of the 10 concentration camps set up by the US government during World War II for people of Japanese descent.

For the ultimate Bay Area weekend getaway, you can leave San Francisco early in the morning and about four hours later, you'll arrive at Yosemite National Park . It's truly a spectacular place, with incredible natural wonders like the 3,000-foot granite walls of El Capitan or the giant granite Half Dome rock. Also be sure to check out Bridalveil Fall , a 600-foot waterfall.

The park is also home to giant sequoia redwood trees. There's a small village in the park with shops and the park's museum and visitor's center. You can also find places to eat and spend the night.

There's a range of activities available, from hiking and camping , to tours by tram. The guided tram tours are available in a two-, four-, or eight-hour (all-day) itinerary and take you all over the park.

Read More: From San Francisco to Yosemite: Best Ways to Get There

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

More Getaway Ideas: If you are interested in going further afield or don't mind hopping on a short flight, you can find all kinds of great destinations. Couples should have a look at our article on the Top Romantic Weekend Getaways in California . If it's a beach getaway you are looking for, see our list of the best beaches in Northern California . And for something unique, check out our list of the best hot springs in California .

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Travel | Bay Area to see biggest Thanksgiving travel…

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Travel | hamas accepts cease-fire proposal for gaza, but israel’s stance still uncertain, travel | thanksgiving travel is back: californians to see record-breaking traffic on freeways, at airports, airlines like southwest are under pressure to perform after last year’s travel meltdowns.

We’re traveling again this Thanksgiving — and in record numbers. Seven-and-a-half million Californians — nearly one-fifth of the state — are expected to venture a distance of over 50 miles during the holiday week.

That will make it the busiest year for Thanksgiving travel in the past two decades, according to AAA .

Click here to read about the best times to hit the road or head to the airport for your Thanksgiving travel in the Bay Area.

“We may be far enough removed from pandemic restrictions for people to get back to the traveling they used to do,” said John Treanor, a spokesperson for the travel association. “The appetite for travel has returned.”

Since last year’s frantic Christmas travel meltdown , airlines say they have been working to correct the staffing shortages and computer shortcomings that plagued the industry after three years of reduced pandemic travel .

“Airlines have hired thousands of new pilots , flight attendants and other workers, and they’ve been investing in technology,” said Henry Harteveldt, president of the Atmosphere Research Group, a San Francisco market research firm specializing in the travel industry.

With everyone watching, Southwest has been especially busy . Its operations team has been playing out possible weather scenarios in a tabletop exercise they call “war games.” And the airline held a deicing “summer school” in Denver to train its ground agents in how to efficiently clear the planes of snow and frost.

Though inflation has increased the cost of many daily purchases, the price of domestic flights around Thanksgiving has actually gone down somewhat from last year. That’s luring more families to brave the madness of airport travel this holiday — including the Kramers, who made the trip early.

They usually drive up from Southern California, like 88.7% of Thanksgiving travelers nationally, according to AAA estimates — but decided to fly into San Jose this year.

This year Daniel and Jennifer Kramer and their kids, Connor, 4, and Isabella, 1½, joined the 8.5% of Thanksgiving travelers who fly. “Flights were really cheap, and LAX was really easy,” Daniel Kramer said.

Like most Thanksgivings, the Wednesday before the holiday and the following Sunday are expected to be the busiest days for air travel. But in recent years, more people have started to travel earlier or extend trips later, said Christie Hudson, a spokeswoman for the travel site Expedia.

“With remote work, we have seen departure dates spread out,” Hudson said.

As early as Thursday, plenty of families were in the Oakland Airport, departing ahead of the rush. Kristen and Bryce Indermill and their two young children chose to fly from Dallas into Oakland a week ahead of the holiday, in part because of the lower cost.

“Also, though, we just get to spend more time with family,” Indermill said.

Oakland International Airport projects over 360,000 passengers between last Friday and Monday, Nov. 27 — a 2.2% increase from the same period last year and 85% of 2019 pre-COVID levels.

SFO predicts that it will see about 1.4 million travelers during that same time. This month, Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern all resumed flights, after pausing them in 2020. San Jose airport officials had no projections to provide.

It’s not just the Bay Area that’ll be busy. For the first time since COVID, TSA passenger projections across the country are higher for air travel this week than they were in 2019.

And it’s not just the skies that will be busier. With gas prices easing from $6 earlier this fall, more Californians will be hitting the road this year, too. California gas prices are down 7% from $5.37 a gallon last Thanksgiving to $5.02 per gallon as of Friday, according to AAA .

Like air travel, the roads will also be at their busiest on Wednesday and Sunday on either end of the holiday. Highway 101 between Monterey and San Francisco is expected to see the biggest increase in traffic, according to AAA, with the trip expected to take around 3 hours and 15 minutes on Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. — a 63% increase from normal driving time.

Weather isn’t expected to be a factor for those traveling in the Bay Area, said Sarah McCorkle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Thanksgiving week is expected to be a dry one in California. While rain may soak the East Coast during the latter half of the week, no major storms are expected.

That’s good news for those who may still be recovering from last year’s Christmas travel season when Southwest stranded passengers and their luggage across the country, cancelling 17,000 flights — nearly two-thirds of its schedule — after crews and planes were separated following a massive winter storm. The meltdown prompted outrage from consumers and led to a Department of Transportation investigation . Southwest said in a recent filing that it expects to receive a fine from the federal government.

Among those travelers stranded by Southwest last year were Mollie Clarke and her baby, Sophia. At just a year old, baby Sophia has already been on 43 flights. She’s exactly old enough to have lived through last year’s Southwest fiasco, which kept the Clarkes grounded in Chicago for 24 hours on the way home to Oakland.

But that didn’t stop Clarke from booking with Southwest for her family’s holiday travels this year.

“They made up for it,” Clarke said. She and her husband have taken advantage of Southwest companion passes — once they hit a certain number of miles traveled with the airline, they can buy two tickets for the price of one. “It’s ideal for all the things that come with kids.”

Southwest passengers in general don’t seem to be holding a grudge. In an October earnings call , Southwest said that it had already booked more passengers for December travel than it had at the same time last year.

In Oakland this week, Katie Herrmann and her mom, Kim, also happily rebooked on Southwest for their travels to St. Louis this holiday season, even after getting stuck in the Denver Airport for a whole day last winter.

“These days, every airline has their own controversy,” Katie Herrmann reasoned. “But you need to get where you gotta go.”

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California senator’s bill takes aim at line-jumping airport perk

The “pay-to-play” concept permeates almost every aspect of American life, including air travel.

Passengers who pay a premium for a first-class ticket board and deplane first, get bigger more comfortable seats , and are offered gourmet meals and cocktails served by flight attendants who address them by name.

But even travelers in the cheap seats are increasingly looking to dodge long security lines, paying extra to shorten their slog through airport screening, either to the Transportation Security Administration itself through its “PreCheck” service, or private companies such as CLEAR, which use biometric screening to vouch for passenger identification .

That last perk isn’t sitting so well with some California lawmakers.

A state bill would put a first-in-the-nation lid on private security screening services like CLEAR. The New York-based company operates at nine California airports, including San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco International. Customers who pay CLEAR $189 a year get their ID verified at the terminal by a fingerprint or iris scan then get escorted to the front of the TSA line.

“Standing in line waiting for my turn to go through the TSA screening process, I became aware over time at how frustrated people would get,” said state Sen. Josh Newman , a Fullerton Democrat who introduced SB 1372.  “Doesn’t everybody deserve the same fair treatment?

Newman said he travels by air at least twice a week, spending a good deal of time standing in those long lines. And it was in one of them that he watched passengers enrolled in the CLEAR program cut to the front, frustrating him and other fliers.

Newman’s bill would mandate that CLEAR and other third-party screening services operate through separate TSA lines for subscribers, eliminating the friction and frustration created by the current system and , he said , improving security. 

At least a few Bay Area travelers think Newman’s got a point.

“Now that the TSA lines are so long, it is kind of annoying,” said Walnut Creek resident Angie Reposa, who travels four times a month on business and was headed out of Oakland last week for Chicago with a friend.

Breana Lee of San Francisco, also traveling out of Oakland, agreed. “It seems kind of weird to have an outside company doing this service,” Lee said.

The legislative analyst noted that the state doesn’t control the TSA or its budget for extra security staff, but added that the legislation might give CLEAR, which incorporated and became publicly traded in 2021 , “strong motivation to push for more TSA funding.”

CLEAR was acquired out of bankruptcy in 2010 by Caryn Seidman-Becker, now the CEO, and Ken Cornick, the co-founder.

The bill is backed by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1230 and the Association of Flight Attendants.

Opposed are CLEAR, several business groups including the California Chamber of Commerce and Bay Area Council, and airlines including United, Southwest, Hawaiian, Delta and Jetblue. Even the airports are in the CLEAR camp.

Sen. Roger W. Niello, a Republican representing Fair Oaks and the vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said CLEAR is beneficial because there is an need for the service and the company provides jobs to scores of Californians.

He said he does not support Newman’s argument that the CLEAR screening process leads to traveler frustration.

“I don’t see that we should be cutting the CLEAR people out just because they are not convenient  to us and it annoys us when those people get to go in front of the line,” he said during the committee hearing.

The legislative analyst noted in a report that airports oppose the bill because they earn fees from leasing their space to CLEAR, which reports it paid California airports a total of $13 million in 2023 .

“Were airports to lose the Clear revenue they would make it up by charging other customers, such as rental car companies, other concessionaires, or airlines,” the analyst report said.

Newman, along with the bill’s flight attendant and government union backers, also questioned whether CLEAR provides adequate security.

TSA PreCheck requires a background check, fingerprints, photo identification and verified travel documents. CLEAR uses either a traveler’s eyes or their fingerprint to verify identity, replacing the need for a TSA agent to manually check a traveler’s passport or photo identification.

“Clear is not the TSA,” said Kristie Rivera, a veteran flight attendant and the president of the Association of Flight Attendants. “CLEAR does not add any enhanced layer of security to airport operations. CLEAR is just a pay-for-play way to cut the screening line.”

Gilbert Galam with the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1230 representing 1,200 TSA screening officers in Northern California , called the service a “headache” that “adds no value to security or efficiency for the traveling public.”

Galam said the line-jumping has led to fights among passengers and extra stress for security screeners.

Galam and Newman said CLEAR had two security breaches last year, including one in which a passenger carrying ammunition in his bag was led to the front of the screening line. Another flyer used a boarding pass found in the garbage to skip the line.

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Ng lauded the fact that CLEAR has successfully verified 167 million identities and is in operation in 56 aviation hubs nationwide.

Jim Lites with the California Airports Council, whose group represents 31 commercial airports, said having a dedicated TSA officer to screen CLEAR customers in a separate line would be costly and impact revenue at California airports where the service is available.

The bill, which passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee last month, now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee. It would need approval by the Senate and Assembly to head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.

©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Dick Rutan, co-pilot of historic round-the-world flight, dies at 85

Rutan was also a decorated vietnam war veteran who had to eject from his plane two separate times while in the air force., by nick perry | the associated press • published may 4, 2024 • updated on may 4, 2024 at 10:10 pm.

Burt Rutan was alarmed to see the plane he had designed was so loaded with fuel that the wing tips started dragging along the ground as it taxied down the runway. He grabbed the radio to warn the pilot, his older brother Dick Rutan. But Dick never heard the message.

Nine days and three minutes later, Dick, along with copilot Jeana Yeager, completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first round-the-world flight with no stops or refueling.

A decorated Vietnam War pilot , Dick Rutan died Friday evening at a hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho , with Burt and other loved ones by his side. He was 85. His friend Bill Whittle said he died on his own terms when he decided against enduring a second night on oxygen after suffering a severe lung infection.

Dick Rutan, Who Set an Aviation Milestone When He Flew Nonstop Around the World, Is Dead at 85 https://t.co/koMqjY4dIa — Military.com (@Militarydotcom) May 5, 2024

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“He played an airplane like someone plays a grand piano,” said Burt Rutan of his brother, who was often described as has having a velvet arm because of his smooth flying style.

Burt Rutan said he had always loved designing airplanes and became fascinated with the idea of a craft that could go clear around the world. His brother was equally passionate about flying. The project took six years.

There was plenty to worry Burt during testing of the light graphite plane, Voyager. There were mechanical failures, any one of which would have been disastrous over a distant ocean. When fully laden, the plane couldn't handle turbulence. And then there was the question of how the pilots could endure such a long flight on so little sleep. But Burt said his brother had an optimism about him that made them all believe.

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“Dick never doubted whether my design would actually make it around, with still some gas in the tank,” Burt Rutan said.

Voyager left from Edwards Air Force Base in California just after 8 a.m. on Dec. 14, 1986. Rutan said with all that fuel, the wings had only inches of clearance. Dick couldn't see when they started dragging on the runway. But at the moment Burt called on the radio, copilot Yeager gave a speed report, drowning out the message.

“And then, the velvet arm really came in,” Burt Rutan said. “And he very slowly brought the stick back and the wings bent way up, some 30 feet at the wingtips, and it lifted off very smoothly.”

They arrived back to a hero's welcome as thousands gathered to witness the landing. Both Rutan brothers and Yeager were each awarded a Presidential Citizens Medal by President Ronald Reagan, who described how a local official in Thailand at first “refused to believe some cockamamie story" about a plane flying around the world on a single tank of gas.

“We had the freedom to pursue a dream, and that’s important," Dick Rutan said at the ceremony. “And we should never forget, and those that guard our freedoms, that we should hang on to them very tenaciously and be very careful about some do-gooder that thinks that our safety is more important than our freedom. Because freedom is awful difficult to obtain, and it’s even more difficult to regain it once it’s lost.”

Richard Glenn Rutan was born in Loma Linda, California. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a teenager and flew more than 300 combat missions during the Vietnam War.

He was part of an elite group that would loiter over enemy anti-aircraft positions for hours at a time. The missions had the call sign “Misty," and Dick was known as “Misty Four-Zero.” Among the many awards Dick received were the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

He survived having to eject twice from planes, once when his F-100 Super Sabre was hit by enemy fire over Vietnam, and a second time when he was stationed in England and the same type of plane had a mechanical failure. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel and went on to work as a test pilot.

Burt Rutan said his brother was always having adventures, like the time he got stranded at the North Pole for a couple of days when the Russian biplane he was in landed and then sank through the ice.

Dick Rutan set another record in 2005 when he flew about 10 miles (16 kilometers) in a rocket-powered plane launched from the ground in Mojave, California . It was also the first time U.S. mail had been carried by such a plane.

Greg Morris, the president of Scaled Composites, a company founded by Burt Rutan, said he first met Dick was when he was about seven and over the years always found him generous and welcoming.

“Bigger than life, in every sense of the word,” Morris said, listing off Rutan's legacy in the Vietnam War, testing planes and on the Voyager flight. “Any one of those contributions would make a legend in aviation. All of them together, in one person, is just inconceivable.”

Whittle said Rutan had been courageous in his final hours at the hospital — sharp as a tack, calm and joking with them about what might come next after death.

“He’s the greatest pilot that’s ever lived,” Whittle said.

Dick Rutan is survived by his wife of 25 years Kris Rutan; daughters Holly Hogan and Jill Hoffman; and grandchildren Jack, Sean, Noelle and Haley.

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