[Rh6363]

How is San Fran. I am going to be travling there for work in the next few weeks. Thinking of taking my wife and kid with me.

Is it safe for her to walk around, shop and roam?
Will be staying down town and near Chinatown.

We live in NYC so not strangers to city urban life.

Feedback would be helpful.

Thanks

[ezaircon4jc]

Don't forget your poop map (https://openthebooks.substack.com/p/...cisco-poop-map https://duckduckgo.com/?q=san+franci...=v342-1&ia=web). From what I've read (haven't been there in over 15 years as the last time we went the place was a dump and getting worse) people leave their parked car windows open so the thieves won't break the glass when breaking in. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca...rancisco/crime

SF used to be a very beautiful city. A certain political bent has totally ruined it. Personally, I would never take my family there.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Rh6363

How is San Fran. I am going to be travling there for work in the next few weeks. Thinking of taking my wife and kid with me.

Is it safe for her to walk around, shop and roam?
Will be staying down town and near Chinatown.

We live in NYC so not strangers to city urban life.

Feedback would be helpful.

Thanks

I lived in the City from 1959 to 1995 and still go back every few years to see family and friends. My visits, however, don't take me to the neighborhoods that receive all the press.

I think this City resident's recent effort to answer questions like yours is both factually informative and usefully unsensational: https://www.inside-guide-to-san-fran...sco-crime.html.

If you're going to have a car, I think you'll find the sections entitled "Car Break-ins 2023 so far" and "Latest on where not to park" worth reviewing. Summarized, those areas are generally places tourists go, although car break-ins are an issue all over the City.

Given where you'll be staying, I don't see why you can't take your family and have an enjoyable time in San Francisco. The hotel's concierge desk can advise you regarding the surrounding areas, including Chinatown.

The Bay Area has wonderful views available from any number of spots in the City, Marin County and across the bay in Berkeley and Oakland. In the City itself, a trip up to the top of Twin Peaks is a must for incredible views. I think it's the best view in the region. Pro tip: If it's going to be foggy, go early in the day before the fog rolls in.

Be sure and let us know what you decided on and how your trip went!

[kscarrol]

I was there in December, Union Square area, and never had any issues. Walked out for dinner, drinks and stopping at the Occidental Cigar Club several times. Stay away from the Tenderloin but as dradernh points out there are plenty safe things to do/see in and around the SF.

Edit: I would say it's no different than NYC or any other big city. Do you homework, know where to stay away from and always be aware of what's going on around you, but then being from NYC you will be aware of these things.

[dreamingat30fps]

I'm actually going to be in the Sacramento area next week visiting a friend. Doubt we will go to SF unless he wants to take us and drive. I'm certainly not taking the rental car there.

Although it sounds like you are already staying in SF so if you don't need a car... sure I would go see the touristy areas... I don't know for a fact but I would imagine the tourist areas are no worse than NYC.

[M2siast]

I recommend it. I was there last year and it was great.
I stayed downtown, and could walk to the ferry etc.

[imperfectluck]

You're also from NYC like myself so you know how the city in certain areas can get sketch. Been to SF for a few work trips and despite things I've heard, had a pleasant time even when going out at night for dinner here and there. Company also booked Hotel Kabuki and it was a pleasant stay there as well (sounds like you might be nearby there).

I'd def talk walking down the streets of SF vs walking through sections of the Bronx at night. Enjoy the stay.

[c1pher]

Due to a previous job, I used to split my time between DC and SF back in the late 90s and early 00s. Despite real estate being crazy, I really enjoyed it there. My last visit was in 2019 for RSA and I purposely have not returned. It’s as bad as people say it is. Multi-million dollar homes and you have to walk over homeless people to leave, poop all over the place, smell of weed everywhere, crazies just walking around talking to themselves or acting like they will attack you if you get close, etc etc etc and the prices were even higher there. I don’t get how that area functions.

[wtwo3]

SF used to be one of my favorite cities. It's become much less desirable recently with crime and homelessness. The last time I went was July 2021 with the family. I think it's still worth checking out especially if you haven't been, it's got tons of great views across the bay area. You should be safe as long as you stick to populated areas. Probably best to avoid street parking when you can, just stick to garage parking.

Overall it's sad to see what SF has become compared to what it used to be. But if you haven't been, you won't know what you've missed and it can still be a fun place to visit.

[Donatello.]

Spent some time in Sausalito and loved in. Drove through SF & that's a pass, but I am not a city person so I may be biased.

[HFW003]

We (Wife, Son and I) visited a few years ago and loved the city, well most parts of it anyway.

We were really surprised by the amount of homeless people though!

We walked everywhere without issue and tried to stay clear of the well known hot spots. We did end up in the Tenderloin area accidentally (during the day) at one point and made it out safely

I’d go back again.

[floridaorange]

It’s totally fine to visit. We brought our kids, zero issues. Coming from NYC you’ll wonder what the issues are and why they make headlines.

[infinitekidM2C]

i love san fran, great place for a weekend getaway. just too many damn homeless. Chinatown and the wharf are super fun.

wouldn't go until at least spring though, i bet it's freezing

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

i love san fran, great place for a weekend getaway. just too many damn homeless. Chinatown and the wharf are super fun.

wouldn't go until at least spring though, i bet it's freezing

Wasn't it Mark Twain that said the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in SF?

[Ingraman]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I'm actually going to be in the Sacramento area next week visiting a friend. Doubt we will go to SF unless he wants to take us and drive. I'm certainly not taking the rental car there.

I live near Sacramento, and I take day trips to San Francisco on occasion, without having to drive.

I’ll take Amtrak, and leave my car at the Sacramento train station (or ride share there). I’ll take a morning Capitol Corridor train to Oakland Jack London Square, and catch the ferry from there to the SF Ferry Building; the walk’s not too far, but check the train/ferry schedules in order to have enough time, but not too much. I’ll wander around SF for the day, mostly on foot, and then catch the Amtrak bus to Emeryville, departing from near the Salesforce building in the evening (last bus at 7:30p weekdays and 8:40p on weekends, according to the online schedule). From there, it’s another Capitol Corridor train back to Sacramento. The Capitol Corridor website often has discounts for multiple travelers (right now: buy one, get 50% off for up to 5 more people on the same trip).

It’s fairly relaxing when you don’t have to worry about your car or dealing with the traffic.

[LuvMyE92]

I went to SF in/around 1999 and again last year. I saw more homeless there 23 years ago, but that could have just been random chance. We had no issues walking around, eating out, etc. and of course, I didn't bother with a car while there. Car service, Uber, etc. as needed.

As long as you exercise common sense and stay in the touristy areas, I really don't think you'll have a problem.

[RugbyBro]

It’s as safe as any other tier 1 city. Take your family to visit the Presidio, Crissy Field, Palace of Fine Arts, Sausalito, and Marin Headlands. Union Square and Mid Market can be a little rough but no one in SF actually spends any time there outside of work (something that the “news” conveniently never mentions).

Don’t leave anything in sight in your car under any circumstance. SF isn’t perfect and break-ins are endemic.

Also, if it matters to you, a really obvious way to tell you aren’t from the area is to call SF”San Fran”. Not a big deal, just making you aware in case you wanna be more incognito.

[hubbahubba]

I fly in to SFO a few times a year. I generally don't spend a whole lot of time in the city, but the time I have spent there recently it doesn't strike me as being in any sadder shape than any other major city I have been to recently. Homeless camps seem to be the norm in most big cities. Increased crime, too. SF is a great city. Go. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I didn't intentionally seek out the worst of it. YMMV

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Wasn't it Mark Twain that said the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in SF?

Yeah in summer you'll be wearing shorts and a tshirt, and then comes the wind or a chilly day out of nowhere and you simultaneously freeze and get a sunburn.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Ingraman

I live near Sacramento, and I take day trips to San Francisco on occasion, without having to drive.

I’ll take Amtrak, and leave my car at the Sacramento train station (or ride share there). I’ll take a morning Capitol Corridor train to Oakland Jack London Square, and catch the ferry from there to the SF Ferry Building; the walk’s not too far, but check the train/ferry schedules in order to have enough time, but not too much. I’ll wander around SF for the day, mostly on foot, and then catch the Amtrak bus to Emeryville, departing from near the Salesforce building in the evening (last bus at 7:30p weekdays and 8:40p on weekends, according to the online schedule). From there, it’s another Capitol Corridor train back to Sacramento. The Capitol Corridor website often has discounts for multiple travelers (right now: buy one, get 50% off for up to 5 more people on the same trip).

It’s fairly relaxing when you don’t have to worry about your car or dealing with the traffic.

Actually went today. My friend drove. It was completely dead. At least the embarcadero wharf area. Also went to Japantown and it was pretty dead also. I'm not sure if it's because it was cold as fuck and raining and just nasty out, but I have never seen so few people on the streets in SF.

As for crime didn't really see anything shady. Barely saw any homeless. It was actually kinda creepy. When we left we started seeing a few more people and there was plenty of traffic to get out of the city.