How-to guides for Bay Area life
Steps, who qualifies and the official way in. 145 guides, each with its official sources.
Start here for seniors and family
Senior services, Medicare, retirement benefits, doctors, getting around and scam protection, for older adults and the family members who help them
Health & insurance
Finding a doctor, dental care, Medicare and Medi-Cal
Dental care in the Bay Area: insurance networks, Medi-Cal Dental and lower-cost options
3 min read
Finding your first Bay Area doctor: networks, appointments, and referrals
5 min read
No photo: a BAYLINK info card; drawings are decorative.
IDs & immigration
Settling in: driver licenses, citizenship, bank and phone, and school enrollment
Your first month in the Bay Area: a checklist for housing, transportation, phone service, and daily life
4 min read
Finding Part-Time Work in the Bay Area: Check the Job, Then Watch for Deposits, Task Scams, and Fake Checks
4 min read
Preparing for naturalization in the Bay Area: confirm your application route, documents and test version
3 min read
Just moved to the Bay Area: what to do in your first 7 and 30 days
6 min read
No photo: a BAYLINK info card; drawings are decorative.
Housing
Renting, deposits, moving, utilities and repairs
Bay Area Rental Scam Guide: What to Check Before Viewing, Paying, or Signing
3 min read
Finding Bay Area roommates: discuss these things before sharing a home
3 min read
Safe secondhand trading in the Bay Area: meetups, payments, and inspections
3 min read
Before You Sign a Lease: Essential Terms to Review
3 min read
No photo: a BAYLINK info card; drawings are decorative.
Getting around
BART, Muni, airports, parking and bridge tolls
Paying for Muni in October: single rides have left MuniMobile, so choose your payment card
Official imageOct edition · 3 min read
BART in October: Mission elevator delayed, less parking at West Oakland
Archive photo · 2024Oct edition · 1 min read
Compare Bay Area commutes: BART, Caltrain, driving and carpools
Photo · 20244 min read
Bay Area life without a car: Plan BART, Caltrain, buses, rides, and groceries
3 min read
No photo: a BAYLINK info card; drawings are decorative.
Savings & benefits
Free tax help, benefits, deals, library passes and bill discounts
Free culture in San Francisco: different plans for visitors, new residents and Bay Area locals
Photo · 2016Oct edition · 4 min read
Bay Area autumn offers: what to use through the end of November
Official imageOct 5–Nov 30 edition · 1 min read
Save on October culture outings: check library passes before planning the day
Archive photo · 2013Oct edition · 2 min read
October 2026 Bay Area savings: free museums, kids workshops and library passes
Oct edition · 3 min read
No photo: a BAYLINK info card; drawings are decorative.
Weekend outings
Half-day routes, places, markets and seasonal events
A November art half-day in SF: a new installation and a garden walk
Archive photo · 2017Oct 7–Nov 30 edition · 1 min read
An East Bay redwood outing: check trail works, then plan Green Friday
Photo · 2026Oct 7–Nov 30 edition · 1 min read
Half Moon Bay in November: a short coast walk is enough
Photo · 2014Oct 7–Nov 30 edition · 1 min read
Alviso's autumn wetlands: a boardwalk and time to observe
Archive photo · 2013Oct 7–Nov 30 edition · 1 min read
No photo: a BAYLINK info card; drawings are decorative.