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22nd Street Caltrain Station
Category: Hotels & Travel Transportation Public Transportation Public Transportation [Edit]
1149 22nd St(at I-280)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill
(800) 660-4287
32 reviews for 22nd Street Caltrain Station
32 reviews in English
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Review from Enrique C.
San Jose, CA
5/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
There are no bathrooms or buildings, no Caltrain employees, just you and the tracks. It's a little creepy at night depending on how many drunks and hobos are surrounding you. I'm just kidding. It's been deserted the last few times I took night trains home to San Jose. There's parking for those of you who have cars in the city.
I stopped here on the way into the city and spent about 10 minutes waiting for commuters to make their way up the one staircase on the Northbound track side. -
Review from Kathy W.
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not the nicest Caltrain station but it gets the job done. The place is a little hidden but if you walk on the overpass and you'll see it. There are also some cafes nearby. This Caltrain only has local service (stops at all stations) whereas if you board at the station near AT&T park you can board the train with selective stops. It just all depends on where you going.
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Review from Tatyana K.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ugly or not, this station has tons of street parking and it's still findable for the 9:04 bullet. I've never had to step over bums, nor have I really seen any here during commute hours. There are two great coffee shops on each side of the station, La Stazione and Piccino. Ritual coffee at the former and Sight Glass at the latter.
Word of warning, if you decide to wear heels - beware of the wooden bridge, there are holes big enough for heels to slip.. and the whole walking on dirt part once you're at the station kinda sucks too. -
Review from Bennett W.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Downs:
CalTrain Station @ 22nd St is not one of the cleanest stations I've been to. This station can certainly use a very powerful cleaning to keep it properly maintained. It is under I-280 so protection from the rain pour is provided. Like other yelpers mentioned, there are plenty of free parking around the station. But still, someone should find a way to clean this station cause the freeway covering makes it hard to get a rain wash!
This area can be quite dangerous at night. Getting off the train @ 22nd St between 9pm and 12am? Travel with companion (close friends, friends, family, classmates and/or colleagues)!
HOLD ON TIGHT, WE ALL KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IT CAN BE!
Ups:
1 star because a bus yard facility office is nearby
1 star for parking availability -
Review from Ashley H.
1/17/2011
Hi
My name is Ashley and I am a commuter.
I have the commuter backpack, tennis shoes for walking to and from stations to work, and standard issue white apple earphones. I have a clipper pass and schedule my work hours around what time the next caltrain comes. I enjoy the baby bullet because it brings me back to this great city in super speedy time, and i enjoy the occasional hello when i have to move my backpack of the chair next to me because it gets crowded at palo alto.
Now that you have a little background as to why i commute. i can let you know why i choose 22nd over 4th,
~~~*~~~FREE PARKING~~~*~~~
nuff said, 5 stars. get there before 6:40am and you'll have a decent place to park.
fyi- the review for caltrain is not 5 stars. -
Review from Christine M.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2006
What I love about the 22nd St. Caltrain station is the utter disregard for aesthetics and modernity. Upon arrival, you might assume that you are waiting for a horse-drawn buggy rather than a speeding locomotive. The rickety stairs that no doubt date back to the turn of the century (20th, not 21st) add a certain sense of danger and excitement to the morning commute. The dirt platform has an undeniable charm; a charm that these days can only found in abandoned horse stalls.
I applaud this station for standing firm in refusing to modernize, for turning its back on the homogeneity of all other Caltrain stations, and for making my morning commute to work an adventure rather than a chore. -
Review from troy s.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2010
22nd street station is my turf, yo. I use it everyday.
Plus:
-Tons and tons of free parking all over the area
-Under the 101, provides rain protection
Minus:
Tons and tons of free parking, but much of it is sketchy. Be prepared to walk over sleeping homeless and dodge pee
Under
-Under the 101, never gets a natural rain-wash. So the station is dirty. I wish they would power-wash this once in awhile.
How dirty is the 22nd street station? Well, if you depart on the northbound (east track) towards the back of the train, look at that little pile of fur by the cobbled, angled retaining wall. its a dead dog. But don't worry, its been there for over a year, so it doesn't smell or anything. -
Review from Jen D.
3/25/2008
This is a poor excuse for a train station and it must have been built with the smallest budget that CalTrain has ever seen. And even with the small budget, it looks like they ran out of money mid-construction because they didn't even pave the ground all the way to the walls. Only a small portion of the 'station' is paved. The other parts are dirt and rocks.
And at night, it doesn't really feel too safe. I mean, you are UNDER a bridge and the lighting is really poor. -
Review from Allyson S.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2009
22nd street is like the ugly step child of all caltrain stations, yet it seems to always be one of the most popular. Maybe it's the easy nearby parking, or perhaps everyone that uses caltain just lives in potrero hill?
When I go to visit my family this is my stop, and carrying my bike up the metal steps in bike shoes is one of my least favorite things in the world. How they manage to still not be wheel chair accessible is beyond me. But it is relatively safe (especially considering the state of this area 10 years ago) and convenient for those who live near by.
Most all trains will stop here, but all bullets do, which is really all that matters. -
Review from Gloria H.
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is probably the dirtiest, darkest and least desirable stations of all...it's also on the sketchy side...
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Review from Jean A.
4/8/2008
I had an ex refer to this stop as one where he felt like he was "one with the masses." What a bourgeois thing to say. But 22, it's true. There's no bathroom, it's not wheelchair accessible, it took them longer than it should have to finally put real stairs there, the local train to 4th and King doesn't always stop in the ams, they should really think about paving that dirt road side entrance since so many people use that wilderness path despite it being "closed to pedestrians," and to top it all off there is nothing close enough to grab a coffee before heading to work.
To it's merit - it's 5 minutes away from my house and it's a bullet stop so it got me to work in the same amount of time it would if I drove to the South Bay, sans the headache. It's fairly safe walking home in the dark from this stop since there are a lot of people that get off at this stop between the hours of 5 and 7:30. I guess that it's also a good thing there's no eateries around here since it saves me some money. Luckily, when there is food, it's the tamale lady there to save you from your misery because (1) you've just spent the past hour on a fraternity bus on wheels because guess what ... it's baseball season or (2) you've just spent the past three hours trying to get home thanks to another's sad misfortune.
Still, I think this station has been neglected. For Godsakes, this is a baby bullet stop - there are just as many people that get on here as they do at 4th and King. I've seen every station from Diridon to 4th and King. Even the Bayshore Station looks nicer than this one and only the local train stops there! Caltrain, get with the times, this station isn't rustic, it's just plain ghetto ... we're not plebians anymore!Listed in: My Life on the Hill
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Review from Hari S.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2011
Apparently sfmta is going to install parking meters between 22nd, 23rd st. This will make the commute very expensive and will make all of us who use this station drive. I learned this from a flyer on my windshield. We need to write to sfmta and ask them to stop this. The proposed rate is $1/hr for parking.
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Review from Mariko F.
3/10/2010 7 Check-ins Here
The first time I used this station, I got to the corner of 22nd and Pennsylvania, and had a small panic attack. I was told that there was a Caltrain station here. Where was it?!
I stood there for a good 30 seconds before I saw someone disappear behind a building. And behold -- as I followed I found a station under the 101.
Sure, it's different from other Caltrain stations in that it's under a highway. It's a bit more bare boned than other ones. But you know what, the Baby Bullet stops here and the people who frequent this station are friendly people to and from their way to work. -
Review from Sam B.
San Francisco, CA
6/7/2008
I am rather fond of this stark, bare-bones, hidden CalTrain station which blends in discreetly with the industrial neighbourhood in which it is situated. It does nothing more than serve its purpose as a place where you can hop on a train.
Because I can walk there in under 10 minutes from my home, and I use it successfully five times a week, I admit that I am positively biased towards it, but for me, personally, it is perfectly adequate, there is nothing much more that I need from a station. [Except an information system would be nice but that is a problem I have across the board with CalTrain, not something unique to 22nd street]
I take off a star for the laughable nod to the disabled at 22nd Street Station: There is an area dedicated to disabled use on the platform itself, but since anyone disabled could probably never get down those stairs, its existence seems somewhat moot. -
Review from Femme M.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2007
I am truly agog that stations like this can still exist. I mean we're talking barebones and barren! No bathrooms. No food and drink. No nothing actually except some flattened earth, rocks and a few benches. C'mon now! Surely some enterprising individual should know to park a truck on the street outside and dispense food and entertainment items to the huddled masses on the minimalist platform.
Oh, and there's nothing that perks up the senses more than inhaling whiffs of manure when descending the stairs to the platform. WTH?? Christine is right about this place being a throwback to olden days -- it does almost seem like we'd be catching stage coaches here rather than trains.
Well at least there's no advertising whatsoever on the platform...that's the only good thing I can call out. -
Review from Moe J.
San Francisco, CA
12/25/2008
A couple reasons why this station is great.
1. Baby bullet service.
2. Free street parking (if you get there early enough),
3. Walkable to 2 actual San Francisco Neighborhoods - Dogpatch and Potrero.
The street parking is huge for commuters who live in the northern and western parts of the city who would have to spend 30 minutes plus on the Muni before arriving at the train station.
The station could benefit by adding a bathroom and a coffee stand for the morning commuters. -
Review from Sean C.
San Francisco, CA
7/3/2008
Holy shit...you really can review a caltrain station on Yelp? So, if I say its shitty, will people stop using it?? I mean, isn't it like saying the power company sucks? (like too-bad-soo-sad, but if you don't pay the bill, you'll be dropping deuces in the dark...probably all over the floor too...)
Anyways...
Yeah...you need to know one thing here...Caltrain is *not* on time. When a train is coming at you, look at the number in the upper right hand corner of the train (it is soooo tiny...you may want to bring binoculars). These numbers correspond with the train numbers listed on the caltrain timetable. Pay mucho attention to these hombres.
If you get on the wrong train, they tell you as soon as they close the doors...nice. Thats sort of like getting a wedgie after you have already gotten a swirlie.
So save the air? A neat concept...but I'd rather save myself the hassle of trying to get to South City via the 22nd Street - Millbrae - San Francisco - South City 3 hour long route. Caltrain needs to become easy to use at some point. This is not the way to do it. -
Review from Nucnuc M.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2008
Whenever I'm at this "station" I'm reminded of the movie Escape from New York.
It's dark, you're surrounded by decaying cement, there seems to be something lurking in the shadows, and there's smoke from stuff burning.
Oh wait, that's just the exhaust from the trains diesel engines trapped underneath the freeway bridge!
Seriously, this place scares the crap out of me. -
Review from Lucky G.
San Francisco, CA
3/28/2007
A truly horrendous train "station" that somehow escaped the wave of modernization that took place over the last ten years. It's an unwelcome throw-back to my experiences on the Caltrain in the 80s, when most stations were like this.
Add to this the fact that there's no access for people with disabilities, no bathroom, and nowhere within safe walking distance to get a cup of coffee or even a paper and a not-very-reliable 48 line as my only connection to my neighborhood (the Mission) and I'll just have to kind pass on this stop anytime I see it. It's probably only useful to people who live within the area, or have very good car insurance.
It's only saving grace are the old ladies who sell tamales at the top of the really dangerous stairs you need to navigate to get to climb out of hell. At least you can have something to munch on while you pray for the 48's arrival. -
Review from John F.
Mountain View, CA
4/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
OK Station but not my favorite.
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Review from Thomas W.
San Jose, CA
11/28/2007
Dirty little station under the freeway (too much diesel exhaust), but there's some signs that they're sorta paying some attention to it now, a little; there are a number of benches and shelters which must be new-ish (but were there before I ever was). More attention would be nice. I bet you it gets a whole lot more traffic than little Burlingame with their shiny new station-improvement project.
It's a pity you can't get on anything remotely expressy with a bike, because the 4th-and-King people fill the bike cars up. Pity they won't get any new bike cars since that would mean less passenger space on said expressy trains. Pity they won't be getting any new passenger space until they switch to electric stock in ~2013 (we hope). But I digress.
It's interesting to note there's no ticket machine on the northbound platform. Presumably no one ever gets on there. I've done it exactly once (I have a pass). I think they are installing a TransLink card reader there though, some month.
It's nice to have the schedule at street level so you don't have to climb down the long stairs to get a look at the times. It'd be even nicer to have one at the platform level too, so you don't have to climb back up for it. Speaking of the long stairs, you know what would rock? An escalator on the northbound platform! One can dream, I guess.
The place needs better bus service - the 48 is infrequent and irregular, and there's no bus shelter. Why can't Muni swing the 22 line over four blocks or so? That's a real bus line; it would be an awesome connection. -
Review from Bryce H.
San Francisco, CA
3/5/2011
Sorry, all you negative folk. I'm giving my station 5 stars.
I take the baby bullets to and from Palo Alto daily and the train is great. It is faster than driving and incredibly less stressful. Also, of course, it is cheaper and better for the environment.
Parking is free and plentiful for my usual 6:49 or 7:19 train (I am sure that it is worse later).
I wish that there was an escalator or an elevator, since I need to carry my bike up and down the 35+ stairs, but there isn't. And I note that guys and girls alike do it.
The bike crowd is friendly and so a nice start to the morning and end to the day. There are good people everywhere! The bike car can be crowded, but I have never been bumped and so hope I never will be.
I am vaguely uncomfortable getting off when it is dark. But there is alway a big, big crowd. I never arrive after 8PM so I wouldn't know about later.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, the staion is actually under the Freeway and so you don't get wet on a rainy day.
Had a big 2 hours delay coming home one Friday afternoon, but other than that, generally on time . . . and no traffic jam to worry about.
Thanks CalTrain. -
Review from Cat H.
Los Angeles, CA
8/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
"In the cut" as a friend of mine said. Sketchy looking place, but we made it out alive. Hallelujah!
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Review from Cameron K.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2010
I like this place. I can't exactly say why...but it has a certain post-modern warmness that makes me feel good inside, kinda like Yelp.
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Review from Melissa V.
Oakland, CA
3/7/2010
I like the Urban Jungle feel of this station... Plus, look out the window at Hunter's Point or the industrial area of SF - I think it's fascinating! Don't be scared of some spray paint and the dim light.
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Review from andy c.
San Francisco, CA
2/19/2010 2 photos
this isn't really a station but more like a depot..
could use a few more benches and things for wind protection in the morning commute there's a lot of people standing around for this one..
i think a lot of the popularity stems from the easy access.. the 48 connects through here and is suprisingly reliable (by muni standards anyway) during commute hours for noe/mission..
i am generally entertained by the unending battle between taggers and guys with the flat grey paint. -
Review from Spicy T.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2008
To add to everything that's already been said here, 22nd Street Caltrain Station's only saving grace is that it is a BABY BULLET STOP .. sometimes. Otherwise, why bother using it? Go to 4th and King.
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Review from Lauren I.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 2/18/2009
I lost the game. Hope you enjoy your used $10 bluetooth whilst you burn in hell, asshole.
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11/25/2008
I've never actually SEEN a train station in war-torn Iraq, but I'd imagine that it would look… Read more »
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Review from eric f.
San Francisco, CA
6/26/2010
not sure why there are complaints about this station. i actually find this one to be a little bit more cozy than some of the others. it is its own little oasis in a way, tucked under the hussle & bussle. i've never felt it to be sketchy either. nothin wrong with this place!
caltrain system itself is another story... -
Review from Brian T.
Burlingame, CA
1/30/2010 1 photo
Well, 22nd-street is the only free-parking (if you're there early) train station in SF. There's coffee a block towards 3rd street now and the new stairs are better than the old wooden ones. It's still dark and a little dreary though.
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Review from rob w.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2007
at least there's parking and my car/bike has never been stolen.
i think the lack of a bathroom might be the worst part of this station. i come directly to this station from the local and lovely 24 hour fitness, and since one of the new games that i play to amuse myself involves drinking a shitload of water all day so that i am constantly urinating, i find that i often have to take a leak sometime in between the end of my workout and when i arrive at work (this is generally about 45 minutes). god knows i dont want to use the bathroom at 24 hour fitness if i can avoid it (apparently someone there has invented a game called "let's see how much urine i can get in the general vicinity of the urinal without actually getting any into it") and the bathroom on the caltrain itself is a) similarly disgusting and b) invariably at the end of the train opposite from where i am sitting.
so, if you glimpse a young professional in business casual attire urinating publicly around the 22nd st caltrain station, it is probably yours truly.
also, what happened to the tamale lady who used to welcome me home from work in the afternoon? maybe she takes the winter off. -
Review from Nate H.
San Jose, CA
6/5/2010
Baby Bullet stops here and station has rain protection. There are a few coffee shops in the area which is nice, but no services at the actual station. It feels a little sketch being under the 280 but during the weekday rush hours there are tons of commuters so it feels less sketchy.
