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Parking lots for Practice

+1 on DMV my friend is So. Cal even got permission from the DMV to hold moto gymkhana meat ups twice a month. Lots o fun.
 
City College Frida Kahalo Way

I've been going to the City College lot at Frida Kahalo way. They don't seem to mind you using the upper lot but there are usually one or two motos and anywhere from 2-3 cars using the lot on weekends so not ideal but manageable. Take a slow roll around and check out any hazards on the lot

(there are SEVERAL!)

Bottom line? Keep your head on a swivel, watch where you're riding and don't be a d!*khead!

I usually try to make contact with others using the lot and make my prescence known, makes the 4 wheelers more aware of motorcycles while they're learning to drive, not a bad thing but again, BE NICE!

The lower lot is accessable to motos via the ramps however... City College Police and SFPD *generally* don't want you using it. I usually use the lower lot on weekdays. I've also seen families & kids using both lots to ride their bicycles & scooters so make contact with parental units keep an eye open for the liddle kiddles.
 
Parking lots for practice

I've been going to the City College lot off Frida Kaholo (sp) way. There ae usually instructors and vehicles using the "upper" lot on weekends. You're not supposed to be using the "lower" lot and a lot of times there are kids practicing on their bicycles, sometimes theres a SFPD officer hanging out in the upper lot. The lower lot has the DMV test course painted on the pavement.
Pavement isn't great but it isn't bad either, watch out for potholes & loose gravel!
 
katwoman said:
I'm just getting back on the bike after a really long time and I checked out this parking lot this weekend. It's huge, and I called Bay Area Motorcycle Training who holds the classes there and they don't care if you're there while they're having a class (it's so large, you're nowhere near the class).

There are no clear lines or markings on the lot, but there are these circular cement things that I practiced u-turns on.
Click to expand...

We went today to practice to the Alameda parking lot where they do the MSF classes, and security came by to say that they don’t allow motorcycle practice in the lot (besides MSF). I have been there in other occasions without a problem but maybe I was lucky ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Palace of Fine Arts Parking Lot/City College Lower lot

There's the lower lot @ City College on Frida Kahlo way, it's accessable and fairly large with good run-off. Weekends tend to be liddle-kiddle daze with all manner of 'lil one's on their scooters and bikes. You *might* run into CCPD or SFPD but I've never had an issue. Pavement is kinda crappy in some spots, there are a couple of "lollipops" if you want to practice for the DMV test.

The lot at the back of the Palace of Fine Arts is smaller but big eough for low-speed practice and usually not crowded. That *could* change (along with a LOT of other "lots" pun intended) once things open up more.
 
Good place to practice without worry is in Alemeda by the naval ship/yard. There’s a DMV riding course that takes place every weekend. I’d be willing to meet up if anyone has drills that want to practice. Got a blower get rid of the gravel. Let me know.
 
I live in Japantown and was wondering if there are nearby parking lots
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The original poster wanted to find a lot near Japantown. Even City College, on the other side of town, was farther than he wanted to go. I have no idea how close he wanted to be to home, or how far he was willing to go. And I'm a little surprised that he does not know his own neighborhood that well.

If he drove to City College, he would have gotten all the practice he wanted, on the drive to City College. City streets offer every training scenario and obstacle he would have hoped to practice in a parking lot.

In case anyone else is in the Japantown area, CPMC on Van Ness has a huge underground garage. Kaiser on Geary & Baker has a multi level garage. You can either ride around the fare gate, and not pay. Or take a ticket, and pay the parking fee. Geary and Masonic has several levels of parking at the old Sears building. Golden Gate & Gough. The City's credit union has a lot in the back.

I hope that he's figured things out since 2018.
 
chrisbw said:
Not really any closer, but I've found the lot behind the United Artists theater at Stonestown to be empty almost always. I haven't had any issues with security, and the lot is pretty large. I live in the Haight so I'd be curious to know if there are any closer parking lots too.
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Nearby, the empty lot on Sloat, near Lake Merced Blvd.Just watch out for low curbs!

Too bad the CCSF parking lot is gone. It was my favorite wheelie park. :( On weekends it sometimes had MSF classes, but they had 2 large lots.
 
Parking lots

Tossin in my 2 cents...
Parking lot along Embarcedaro next to "Hi Dive" Just stay out of the lower area and the blocked off areas. Watch for moving vehicles. Some hazards, surface is uneven, dips and beat up ashphalt, not a ton of run-off room so keep your speed down!

City College lot Frieda Koholo way, upper lot usually crowded with 4 wheelers on weekends. CC police are usually present weekends. Some parts are kinda beat up. Not much run-off room, obstacles. keep speed down!

Lower lot with the "lolipops" and markings? Use at your own risk. Weekdays usually best. Lower lot also kinda beat up in places, use caution. Bit more run-off room, obstacles still recommend lower speeds only.

Lower CC lot gets some kids on scooters & bicycles along with local "walkers" doing laps so be nice! Don't scare the locals!

Presidio lot(s)
Mmmm Maybe. Too much traffic & people for me, especially weekends.

Ocean Beach;

Not great. WAY too much traffic, surface is beat ALL to hell!

Zoo lot Sloat near Skyline;
O.K. not usually a lot of traffic, surface decent, O.K. run-off

Lake Merced lot(s);

Nope don't recommend.
 
Resurrecting this dormant thread... I've been riding since March (did my MSF in Feb, but got my bike in March) and although I've gotten a lot of confidence in a lot of areas, I am still STRUGGLING at low speed maneuvers, *especially* going directly into a turn from a stop (IE leaving a parking space, pulling out of a parking lot, etc). Both times I've dropped my bike have been doing that, and most of my extremely embarrassing and disappointing fumbles and near-drops have been there too.

I'm thinking of hitting the CCSF parking lot this weekend to just practice MSF-style low speed maneuvers. There seems to be mixed opinions here on that lot. I know they have MSF courses there sometimes.

I might also checkout Stonestown, it sounds like there's a section of the lot sort of "behind" the galleria, etc, that isn't trafficked as heavily. If anyone has been there on a Saturday or Sunday recently and can verify, I'd much appreciate it!

I wanted to use my office lot, but office manager said no due to insurance liability, but she has seen MSF courses happening in San Mateo https://www.norcalmototraining.com/locations/san-mateo-ca and suggested I try using that parking lot (College of San Mateo). Anyone familiar with that area? I'd rather stay in SF, so I can maximize the time I'm practicing rather than in transit, but have bike, will travel.

I suspect there isn't much new since this thread was last reviewed, but just in case... if you have a lot in SF that you think would be a good place to practice low speed maneuvering control on the weekend, I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks folks :)
 
Hello all!
There's a lot down on the Embarcadero right next to the "HI DIVE" bar just south of the Bay Bridge. They hold the Ploice Rodeo in the lower "pit" area. Unless their using the lot for an event no one seems to mind but you *might* run into other riders using the lot for practice. If you see a green BMW RT that'll be me, stop & say "HI"
 
We have also been lucky with the parking lot at the Alameda Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal, which is very close to the MSF lot in Alameda. During the weekends, the lot is pretty empty, it is clean, and the asphalt is in great condition.

https://goo.gl/maps/mwbBgM3oxGuqRqej9
 
Alameda is full of great lots! Alas, I am DEFINITELY not ready to cross the Bay Bridge on my bike yet! Someday.... So many great rides in the East Bay in general, too, so I'm looking forward to it :)

I will check out the Hi Dive-adjacent lot; I love that bar, so I know where you're talking about. Didn't realize it was accessible during non-events, that's super helpful, thank you! Gonna shoot for it this weekend, I think. I'm on a matte black CBR with red striping, maybe we will get to say hi!

Thanks, folks! :)
 
viv_yells said:
Resurrecting this dormant thread... I've been riding since March (did my MSF in Feb, but got my bike in March) and although I've gotten a lot of confidence in a lot of areas, I am still STRUGGLING at low speed maneuvers, *especially* going directly into a turn from a stop (IE leaving a parking space, pulling out of a parking lot, etc). Both times I've dropped my bike have been doing that, and most of my extremely embarrassing and disappointing fumbles and near-drops have been there too.

I'm thinking of hitting the CCSF parking lot this weekend to just practice MSF-style low speed maneuvers. There seems to be mixed opinions here on that lot. I know they have MSF courses there sometimes.

I might also checkout Stonestown, it sounds like there's a section of the lot sort of "behind" the galleria, etc, that isn't trafficked as heavily. If anyone has been there on a Saturday or Sunday recently and can verify, I'd much appreciate it!

I wanted to use my office lot, but office manager said no due to insurance liability, but she has seen MSF courses happening in San Mateo https://www.norcalmototraining.com/locations/san-mateo-ca and suggested I try using that parking lot (College of San Mateo). Anyone familiar with that area? I'd rather stay in SF, so I can maximize the time I'm practicing rather than in transit, but have bike, will travel.

I suspect there isn't much new since this thread was last reviewed, but just in case... if you have a lot in SF that you think would be a good place to practice low speed maneuvering control on the weekend, I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks folks :)
Click to expand...


This lot is still here.... No one erased it.
San Francisco, California
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GkmrZzMC537EBaXa7
 
viv_yells said:
Resurrecting this dormant thread...
Click to expand...

My answer to a similar post a few months back:

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10969186&postcount=3

It's interesting that your office manager was very specific about your practice… I think it's about qualifying as "workplace injury", aka maybe she thought you'd be doing as a part of your commute or something… anyway, I haven't asked my office manager when I did a bit of practice, but security was pretty chill when they stopped by and I just showed my badge/id and they were cool with it. Community college security didn't bother at all, I saw them chilling nearby. They saw me practicing stuff, not doing burnouts… so they just watched YT or whatever.

viv_yells said:
she has seen MSF courses happening in San Mateo
Click to expand...

I did Intermediate Rider Clinic in that location (College of San Mateo) in October 2022, but "intermediate" was a stretch for me :) Heads up that this specific parking lot where they do MSF has gates, and they are locked when MSF isn't there. However, other nearby lots might be open. The lot that I marked with question mark was open, but had some cars parked. The one with exclamation mark I think was open and empty.

Also, if you're up to meet in San Mateo to do a bit of practice together, I'd be down to that. I'm still pretty bad with that too… and I could bring cones. DM and we'll figure out logistics.

msf.png
 
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Not exactly the best road condition, but I like going to Treasure island to practice. No one will bother you there.
 
Another lot is the Sea Bowl lot in Pacifica. Be advised there is at least one Pacifica poilce officer that takes exception to old farts doing wheelies in the lot. If you point out the fact that it's Private Property, he's likely to say, "OK, but next time I see you on a public road, I'm going to find something to write you up for, got it?"

Kind of a dick.
 
Any parking lot in the southern Bay with good road condition? We used to go to mission college but many times the good site is occupied and there's police officer frequently showing up.
 
Anyone in Oakland or Alameda interested in doing some low speed practice ? I have cones, chalk and measuring tape - was going to check out the Walgreens parking lot on High St now that it's closed, but I've also gone to Alameda near the brewery in the base for big empty parking lots.
 
viv_yells said:
Resurrecting this dormant thread... I've been riding since March (did my MSF in Feb, but got my bike in March) and although I've gotten a lot of confidence in a lot of areas, I am still STRUGGLING at low speed maneuvers, *especially* going directly into a turn from a stop (IE leaving a parking space, pulling out of a parking lot, etc). Both times I've dropped my bike have been doing that, and most of my extremely embarrassing and disappointing fumbles and near-drops have been there too.

I'm thinking of hitting the CCSF parking lot this weekend to just practice MSF-style low speed maneuvers. There seems to be mixed opinions here on that lot. I know they have MSF courses there sometimes.

I might also checkout Stonestown, it sounds like there's a section of the lot sort of "behind" the galleria, etc, that isn't trafficked as heavily. If anyone has been there on a Saturday or Sunday recently and can verify, I'd much appreciate it!

I wanted to use my office lot, but office manager said no due to insurance liability, but she has seen MSF courses happening in San Mateo https://www.norcalmototraining.com/locations/san-mateo-ca and suggested I try using that parking lot (College of San Mateo). Anyone familiar with that area? I'd rather stay in SF, so I can maximize the time I'm practicing rather than in transit, but have bike, will travel.

I suspect there isn't much new since this thread was last reviewed, but just in case... if you have a lot in SF that you think would be a good place to practice low speed maneuvering control on the weekend, I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks folks :)
Click to expand...
DONT LOOK DOWN.
 
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