Heading to San Francisco today? Better get an early start.

Bay Area baseball fans are becoming used to October games as the World Series returns to San Francisco Friday for the third time in five seasons. But North Bay drivers may not be prepared for the added traffic caused by the evening Giants game and a rare Friday Cal football game in Santa Clara, on top of a normal weekday commute.

“Get an early start and expect delays,” said CHP Officer Jon Sloat. “There could be extra traffic crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and heading to the North Bay tonight.”

The first pitch for the Giants-Kansas City Royals game at AT&T Park is at 5:07 p.m. The special Golden Gate Ferry from Larkspur to the game is sold out in both directions, according to Priya Clemens, Golden Gate Transit spokeswoman. Tickets still remain for the ferries to the Giants games on Saturday and Sunday, and an advance purchase is required at goldengateferry.org.

The ferries to all three games depart Larkspur at 3:20 p.m. and return 30 minutes after the final out. There is still room on normal Golden Gate Transit ferries from Larkspur to the Ferry Building in San Francisco, Clemens said.

“From there, fans can transfer to Muni or walk along the Embarcadero to AT&T Park,” she said.

To arrive before the first pitch, take the 2:50 p.m., 3:40 p.m., or 4:10 p.m. ferries. The last regularly scheduled ferry back to Larkspur leaves the Ferry Building at 9:35 p.m.

The other major Bay Area sporting event tonight is Cal’s football game against Oregon, the sixth ranked team in the nation. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Sloat said CHP officers from Sonoma County are being sent to help direct traffic heading to the game.

For North Bay motorists navigating the greater Bay Area tonight, Sloat recommended driving with others to take advantage of evening carpool lane hours.

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Brown at 521-5206 or matt.brown@pressdemocrat.com.