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The wife and I are planning a trip in mid July from BFD to SFF. We will be in the Bay area for two nights. Will we have any problems leaving our car in the station parking lot for two nights? Any safety issues? Do they charge for over night parking? Is the station in a part of town where I need to fear some one stealing my ugly beat up '88 Honda? Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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quote:Originally posted by cubzo: The wife and I are planning a trip in mid July from BFD to SFF. We will be in the Bay area for two nights. Will we have any problems leaving our car in the station parking lot for two nights? Any safety issues? Do they charge for over night parking? Is the station in a part of town where I need to fear some one stealing my ugly beat up '88 Honda? Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Some of the LEO's (Law Enforcement Officers) on this forum will confirm that Hondas are a popular car among car thieves, but an 88 has probably lost most of its appeal other than the fact that almost any Honda key will turn the ignition.
-------------------- Railrev Escondido, CA Posts: 99 | From: Escondido, California | Registered: Jul 2003
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You read my mind. An 88 Honda is VERY easy pickins' for even the most amateur auto thief. Keep in mind that auto thieves aren't the guys we see on TV, lurking in dark alleys wearing black ski masks. They are usually punk kids with nothing better to do except steal a car, go make a beer run, trash the car a little bit, and then leave it somewhere.....total time in their possession is about 10 minutes.
A few weeks ago I took the "Domes Down The Valley" trip from Oakland to Bakersfield, and return. We had a 2 hour layover in Bakersfield, and this was the first time I had spent any time there since I usually just get off the train and onto the waiting connecting Thruway bus. So my friend and I walked around for about an hour. I can tell you that the area around the train station isn't very nice. Maybe it's nice in the direction I did not walk in, but from what I saw, it wasn't too great. Just so you know, the county court house, sheriff's department, jail, and probation department are all adjacent to the BFD station. In my public safety experience, I can assure you that these public buildings usually have a crowd around them that is not exactly the cream of the crop. Park at your own risk.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I think Mr. Cubzo you should be mindful that your "beat up '88 Honda' is worth more to you than any other party - including an insurance company assuming you even carry Physical Damage on it.
Likely you maintain it roadworthy enough to meet your needs, but nothing more. "You are what you drive" is obviously not any kind of applicable slogan for you (an '88 Acura, BTW, was mine four autos ago - "nice ride').
With a $1700 Blue Book, the problem is that if something happened to your auto, you likely would have to part with considerably more $$$ to replace it; and assuming the replacement would be of the "pre-owned" vsrietal, you would not "know' this vehicle to the extent you do yours.
Absent such being an "expendable second car", I'd think twice about parking it for any extended period of time other than in your own garage.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Thanks for the input and cautions. Since I do maintain the Little Blue Demon well enough to drive to SFF I will do that instead. Now I have to worry about whether the Le Meridian has parking.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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I have parked my 2002 Taurus there for up to a week on a handful of occasions without incident. Its not in the BEST part of town, but its in a high traffic part of downtown with frequent BPD presence. If you do park it, park it close to the station building. DO NOT PARK IT BEHIND THE LIBRARY! Contrary to what seems to be the prevailing opinion in here, the DESIGNATED parking lot for the station is pretty secure. Many local travelers park there cars here for extended periods (at no cost). The parking lot is well off the main street so a theif would have to walk some distance onto the station property to see your car. And I've seen much nicer and easy target cars parked in that lot overnight. But sounds like you've already made up your mind.
P.S If you want a train trip, there are secure parking garages close by that would be a $5 or less cab ride to the station. There are garages on Eye Street and 18th Street-less than a few miles from the station.
Posts: 387 | From: Bakersfield, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Well since Mr Amtraxmanic has first hand experience with the Bakersfield station and its surrounding area and since the La Meridian charges an arm and a leg for parking we have reconsidered again and will be taking the train to SFF.. Since I am the spawn of migrant farm workers it will do my soul good to see the place of my birth, Arvin CA. Again thanks to all for your input.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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Go Arvin Bears! LOL. Seriously consider checking out the rates at some of those parking garages as a possibility. Usually the weekend rates aren't too bad. Still, you should be quite safe with your car parked in that parking lot. As far as the area, west of the overpass is actually a nice commercial area. The Amtrak Bus doesn't do the town much justice by accessing the station from Union Avenue. Some of the assumptions about the area on this thread may be based on what passengers see coming into Bakersfield on the Bus from the minute they get off the freeway. And YES the area the bus drives THROUGH to get TO the station IS bad.
-------------------- Patrick Posts: 387 | From: Bakersfield, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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It's all done now, the wife and I will be taking the 712 San Joaquin to emy and then bus to sff. a few days later return to emy by bus and then the 712 back to bfd. Thanks again for all the input and help.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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