OVERPACKING INFREQUENT FLIER
The young couple headed for a honeymoon or an older couple headed for grandkids. They’ve packed enough to clothe the Mormon Tabernacle Choir — and still forgot a bunch of necessities. They need baggagehandling, bag-wrapping, information kiosks and a place to shop for replacement gadget-chargers left on the nightstand at home.
SHOP: Compass Books g offers more travel books than in the usual necessity shops, including destination travel guides for advice on where to go, and foreign language phrase books for asking how to get there. Terminal 3, near Gate 71, post-security.
DIVERSION: Newbie travelers can be protective of their suitcases, so the most practical entertainment might be the bag-wrapping machine at the Airport Travel Agency h before checking your bags. The agency offers other services, including bag storage, and is next to Freshen Up i, which sells every product imaginable in travel size. International Terminal, northeast corner of Main Hall, pre-security.
HANGOUT: The Reflection Room j is one of the best-kept secrets at SFO. It’s a lounge with chairs, tables and a view — and pretty much nothing else. You’re discouraged from using electronics or sleeping, but you can definitely relax for a while. International Terminal, Main Hall next to BART entrance, pre-security.
DRUG OF CHOICE: Peet’s Coffee k. Because anywhere you’re flying to will be overrun with Starbucks. Terminal 1, near Gate 26, post-security (and four other locations).
NECESSITIES: Most of the necessity shops carry replacement chargers and cables for the ones you left at home, although often you can get a better price from the Zoom vending machines l (often associated with Best Buy). Think of it as buying a bottled water, but instead the machines spit out high-end headphones, selfie sticks, external chargers and memory cards for your camera. Terminal 2, near Gates 51a and 59, post-security.