We ranked BART station bathrooms so you know where to go
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Clean bathrooms await at the Powell station. Photo: Shawna Chen/Axios
Though I usually try to avoid public restrooms, I found myself bracing to use one at BART's Daly City station before the Chinese New Year Parade in March.
- It was surprisingly clean — which got me wondering: Just how well-maintained are BART's toilets?
Why it matters: You're lying if you've never found yourself scrambling for a toilet at the most inopportune times.
State of play: BART operates public restrooms at most stations, but only the three busiest in San Francisco — Embarcadero, Montgomery and Powell — are staffed.
- At these locations, an attendant is on hand during open hours to ensure people follow the rules — like five-minute time limits and smoking bans — and to flag maintenance issues or hygiene complaints to cleaners.
How it worked: I visited each station in the early afternoon last Thursday. At least one person used the facility before me at every stop.
Here's where their bathrooms stand in my book.
🟢 Powell: If you have to go, aim for this one.
- The sweet smell of disinfectants hit me as soon as I walked in. The floor was scrubbed down, the toilet paper rolls ready to do their duty and the flush loud and clear.
- 11,590 visits in February.
🟡 Montgomery: Mostly a momentary ick.
- The roomiest stall by far. Despite some less-than-stellar interior design, the toilet and sink worked, with no traces of stains or other residue.
- There's also a hook for hanging your belongings — a plus for commuters.
- 6,577 visits in February.
🔴 Embarcadero: Does the job. 'Nuff said.
- Still not as bad as some beach bathrooms I've seen. No noticeable odors, just marks of wear and tear and a slightly sticky floor.
- Because the restroom is outside fare gates, it's sometimes used as a place for shelter, said on-duty attendant Chris Franklin. You'll also see "young people being young people."
- 5,313 visits in February.
Behind the scenes: Station cleaners start each shift with a deep clean of the restroom and are required to spot check, sanitize and replace supplies as needed throughout the day.
Threat level: Dwight Turner, the attendant I met at Powell, said he has seen "bowel hazards" all over the floor and walls during his tenure.
- But most of the work involves making sure people aren't squatting on the toilet and notifying them when five minutes is up, he said.
🫡 Honorable mention: Daly City
- Just look at the glorious art engraved on that toilet seat.