Route 99 Service Alert – Salesforce Transit Center
Gold Runner Service Alert - BNSF Track Work
View MoreYour Guide to the Bay Area
Get the most out of your visit to the Bay Area by hopping on Gold Runner and exploring the Bay on a day trip or weekend getaway. The Bay Area has a wide range of fun activities to choose from, such as getting out on the bay and taking the ferry to San Francisco, discovering new and trendy restaurants and bars, or taking in new exhibits at the Oakland Museum. Take a look at these highly recommended destinations!
TAKE THE FERRY TO SAN FRANCISCO
Downtown Oakland is filled with beautiful murals by community artists. Rent a Bay Wheels Bike using the Lyft app to take a self-guided biking tour of all the beautiful murals in Oakland. Visit the LocalWiki for a map of murals across all of Oakland, or check out Dragon School 99's mural tour of Chinatown.
Visit the Oakland Museum of California
With more than 1.9 million artifacts, the Oakland Museum (OMCA) brings together multidisciplinary collections of art, history and natural sciences, all in 110,000 square feet of gallery space and a campus of seven acres. A family- oriented environment that attracts all age groups. Located in downtown Oakland, the Oakland Museum of California is a great place to learn about California culture and history. Open year-round, California's art, history, and natural science galleries offer exceptional educational and entertaining exhibits. Plan your visit today!
Restaurants and Bars in Jack London Square
Jack London Square is a great year-round destination with restaurants, bars, and more all along the walkable waterfront. Walk a few blocks from the Jack London Station to stop by Scott's Seafood for an old-school dining experience, with lobster, clam chowder, and beautiful views of the marina. Feel like pizza? Check out The Forge, where California-style handcrafted pizzas are cooked in a wood-burning oven. After that, head over for a drink at Crooked City Cider Tap House, serving a selection of local and European ciders along with beer and wine. Among Jack London's best all-in-one attractions for families, friends, or groups, Plank Oakland offers lunch, a beer garden, bowling, and much more.
Shop and Eat in Downtown Martinez
Martinez has a charming, small-town vibe with a variety of shopping and dining options all within walking distance of the Martinez station. For a California dining experience, stop by local mainstay Roxx on Main, serving fresh, locally sourced, and organic, ingredients. In addition to an ever-changing selection of wines, check out their live music on weekend evenings. Get some shopping in at one of Martinez's many cute boutiques and antique stores, like The Roaming Sole which offers curated, artisanal goods from across Mexico. History buffs will enjoy stopping by the Martinez Museum, featuring a unique local history treasure trove. Check out Downtown Martinez for more and plan your trip!
Visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The Gold Runner Thruway bus from Emeryville to San Francisco drops you off just around the corner from the world-renowned San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. One of the largest contemporary art museums in the country, SFMOMA is an amazing destination right in the heart of Downtown San Francisco. After taking in the sights of the museum, grab a bite to eat at nearby Oren's Hummus for the excellent Mediterranean, or stop by Delarosa for quality Italian cuisine. While you're there, take a stroll around the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens.
recent blog posts
Route 18 Returns with Seasonal Service on Select Operating Days Beginning August 22, Connecting Hanford with Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo
(August 17, 2026 — Stockton, CA) — Gold Runner is expanding the reach of its passenger rail network with the return of Route 18 with seasonal Thruway Bus service beginning Saturday, August 22, 2026, providing connections between Hanford, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and downtown San Luis Obispo.
View More
SJJPA and RABA Launch New Route 5 Express Bus Route, Connecting Redding to Sacramento Along I-5
(August 10, Redding, CA) – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) announced today the launch of Route 5, a new Gold Runner Thruway bus service connecting Redding and Sacramento along the Interstate 5 corridor.
View More