Getting Around

Best Auto Dealer

The days of traveling to the hinterlands to save a few bucks on a new car seem to have gone the way of under-$2 gasoline. In the best auto dealer category, San Francisco Toyota in the city, McKevitt Volvo in the East Bay and Putnam Lexus in the South Bay/Peninsula were winners in the eyes of j. readers.


When asked why his dealership won, Tony Singh, fleet director for S.F. Toyota, says, “First and foremost, it’s Toyota” — and he then notes that they always have up to 700 cars ready and waiting.


McKevitt has dealerships in Berkeley and San Leandro, where a customer can “build” the Volvo or Nissan of his or her choice on the dealer’s Web site, then swoop into the dealership to give it a gander.


At Putnam’s Redwood City locale, they never fail to have coffee, bagels and doughnuts on-hand in addition to highly rated service and maintenance, Like McKevitt, you can build your dream Lexus on a Web site, and find new and used cars as well as parts and service.


BMW of San Francisco came in second for the city.

First Place

San Francisco

San Francisco Toyota
(415) 750-8300
www.sftoyota.com

East Bay

McKevitt Volvo
Berkeley and San Leandro
(510) 895-5000
www.mckevitt.com

South Bay

Putnam Lexus
Redwood City
(650) 363-8500
www.putnamlexus.com

Second Place

San Francisco

BMW of San Francisco
(888) MY-BMW-SF
www.bmwsf.com

Best Travel Agent

Anyone who’s ever spent an impromptu overnight layover sleeping in an airport lounge knows international travel can be treacherous. But j. readers’ picks for best travel agent — International Travel Bureau for San Francisco and Ladera Travel for the South Bay/Peninsula — know those agents try to make the journey as hassle-free as possible.


At International, agents are prepared to get you to Israel by virtually any means necessary — which includes speaking fluent Hebrew or Russian. David Parnes’ agency, which specializes in travel to and from the Jewish state, has been helping Bay Area residents in that regard for decades.


Elizabeth Dale, manager of Menlo Park’s Ladera Travel, vows that you’ll never have to have the imprint of a faux leather airport chair on your body again — her travel agency can rescue you from the pitfalls of online booking. “If you have an Internet ticket and something happens, there’s no one to talk to,” she contends. Her service especially appeals to “corporate people — if they’re stuck at a meeting and need to leave later, we can do that.” 

First Place

San Francisco

International Travel Bureau
(415) 495-4199

South Bay/Peninsula

Ladera Travel
Menlo Park
(650) 854-3222
www.laderatrav.com