I've also had good luck thus so far just taking the N Judah. Instead of waiting around 30th and Judah, take a 15 minute walk down to the one of the stops closer to the ocean. Less people are waiting there. You usually get on and get a seat when the first train arrives. It gets crowded, but crowd thins out halfway to Embarcadero.
Next time take the 38 Geary. You can get off at Embarcadero station and catch it on Fremont @ Market or get off at the Montgomery station and catch it on Market @ Montgomery. If you're really worried about getting a seat just walk to Howard & Beale where the line starts (two blocks away from Embaracdero station). It runs all the way down Geary and should make better time than the 5 or the N. Get off at 36th Ave. and Geary and then walk 5 blocks south to the park.
I recommend catching the 38 back downtown from 36th Ave. as well. By the time it gets to the 20's the bus will likely get completely packed. This actually can speed up the travel time as the bus will just barrel down Geary until someone needs to get off. And again, just like walking to Market and Beale, if there is a mass exodus heading to 36th Ave. and Geary, just walk over to 39th Ave. and Geary to catch it there.
This has worked for me for the past three festivals.
I couldn't have been more disappointed with the transportation service at this event. Not only was the recommended bus from BART not in service on Saturday morning (it did start up later though) but leaving the show was abysmally in disarray. 9 hours of travel time from Oakland to San Francisco... blah. Didn't even go Sunday as it just wasn't worth the hassle.
Lineup thus so far (based on bands announcing tour dates and the answers to the Ranger Dave clues)
Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, Pretty Lights, Levon Helm Band, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Social Distortion, Chromeo, Bassnectar, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Phoenix, Devil Makes Three, Al Green, Tokyo Police Club, Vieux Farka Toure, Nneka, Temper Trap
Devo, 2 many djs, Major Lazer, Dirty Projectors, John Waters?, Camera Obscura, Bassnectar, Fly Lo, The Almight Defenders, Girls, Beach House. yes please.
Sat 8/14 @ Golden Gate Park
I recommend catching the 38 back downtown from 36th Ave. as well. By the time it gets to the 20's the bus will likely get completely packed. This actually can speed up the travel time as the bus will just barrel down Geary until someone needs to get off. And again, just like walking to Market and Beale, if there is a mass exodus heading to 36th Ave. and Geary, just walk over to 39th Ave. and Geary to catch it there.
This has worked for me for the past three festivals.
Last time I'll ever go to this event.
Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, Pretty Lights, Levon Helm Band, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Social Distortion, Chromeo, Bassnectar, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Phoenix, Devil Makes Three, Al Green, Tokyo Police Club, Vieux Farka Toure, Nneka, Temper Trap
Fri 8/13 @ Rickshaw Stop
Sat 4/17 @ Empire Polo Field, Indio
Sat 8/01 @ Liberty State Park
Mon 10/13 @ San Jose State University
Sun 9/21 @ Treasure Island