In article ,
Tom wrote:
Hi guys. I'm new to the Bay Area and looking forward to getting up in
the air.
[...]

I'd love to hear from anyone who lives in the area and has advice on a
few things:

1. The best clubs or schools to rent from. Airport proximity to the
city is important to me.

From the city, Oakland or San Carlos would be closest/easiest.
Oakland is accessablsh from public transit (BART/shuttle bus).
San Carlos would be tougher to get to without a car. Others can
fill you in on the clubs at those airports. I fly out of Advantage
and Shoreline at PAO.

2. Recommended instructors for an IFR rating.

I'm working on my instrument with Steve Philipson at PAO. Not
sure if he works out of SQL, contact info is on the webpage.

http://home.earthlink.net/~shp1/instrumentrating.html

3. What are conditions generally like for VFR flying in the Bay Area?

There is often morning fog in the summer, but great VFR the rest
of the day. During the winter, even when it is cloudy, the ceilings
are often high enough to fly VFR. The fog is usually worst around
SF/Oakland, and less further away from the Golden Gate.

4. How's the city tour? I lived in NYC for a while and loved it there.

The Bay Tour (as the locals call it) is incredible. ATC is very
accommodating.

http://www.clear-prop.org/aerialphotos.html has tons of shots from
various Bay Tours I've done.

Finally, if anyone wants to share costs on a short city tour / local
area flight to get me oriented, that would be cool. I'd try to bring
my girlfriend if a 4-seater, so costs would likely be split 3 ways.

I fly out of PAO, so if you can make it down here, I'll take you
up. Drop me an email and we can work out details.

John
--
John Clear - http://www.clear-prop.org/