Dan - I'm not a Bay Area pilot but I do fly down there quite a bit.
KOAK has a GA side. Another option is Hayward (KHWD). It's spitting
distance away from KOAK. IIRC, KHWD has an ILS as well. I've only been
into KOAK to pickup a passenger. At KHWD, I stayed overnight. Both
would serve you well as they are very close.

KSJC is expensive for parking and gas. I've been into both KOAK and
KHWD and both were a piece of cake for a VFR arrival. The air space in
that end of the bay is a bit more complex but not really a big deal.
Arriving IFR is a good idea, though both KOAK and KHWD can easily be
done VFR. The local TRACON (Norcal approach) controllers should treat
you well, no matter if you're IFR or VFR.

Hope you enjoy your visit.




--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane

"To become a Jedi knight, you must master a single force. To become
a private pilot you must strive to master four of them"
- Rod Machado

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