2nd Trip to San Fran, this time alone
Sep 12th, 2002, 04:29 PM
#41
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Suzanne:
I don't see Alcatraz on your list of "have-dones." I'd highly recommend going on the Alcatraz Night Tour. It was selected "Best Tour of the Bay Area" by San Francisco Magazine last year and rightly so. It's much less crowded at night than during the day and the atmosphere is creepy but also beautiful.
I see someone else has already recommend the City Guides walks. They are great.
I live in the Marina and I think for a single woman traveling alone it's a good option. It's absolutely safe and there are two streets that have lots of cafes, restaurants, bookstores, pubs, etc. -- both Chestnut Street and Union Street, which are parallel only a few blocks apart.
If you haven't walked along Crissy Field from the Marina to the Golden Gate Bridge, it's breathtaking, especially on a clear afternoon. Great sunsets there.
If you want to save lots of money, check out the hostel at Fort Mason. They might have private rooms, I'm not sure, but it's in a great location close to lots of things, right on the water btwn the Marina and Fisherman's Wharf.
Check out www.sfgate.com for local street festivals and fairs going on.
Have fun!
I don't see Alcatraz on your list of "have-dones." I'd highly recommend going on the Alcatraz Night Tour. It was selected "Best Tour of the Bay Area" by San Francisco Magazine last year and rightly so. It's much less crowded at night than during the day and the atmosphere is creepy but also beautiful.
I see someone else has already recommend the City Guides walks. They are great.
I live in the Marina and I think for a single woman traveling alone it's a good option. It's absolutely safe and there are two streets that have lots of cafes, restaurants, bookstores, pubs, etc. -- both Chestnut Street and Union Street, which are parallel only a few blocks apart.
If you haven't walked along Crissy Field from the Marina to the Golden Gate Bridge, it's breathtaking, especially on a clear afternoon. Great sunsets there.
If you want to save lots of money, check out the hostel at Fort Mason. They might have private rooms, I'm not sure, but it's in a great location close to lots of things, right on the water btwn the Marina and Fisherman's Wharf.
Check out www.sfgate.com for local street festivals and fairs going on.
Have fun!
Sep 15th, 2002, 04:41 PM
#42
Guest
Posts: n/a
Crime in the Mission:
Residents in San Francisco's Mission District have been complaining about hookers and drug dealers for years. We took our hidden cameras to the streets to see just how prevalent the crime is.
One Mission District resident says he's seen everything. "Prostitution, drug dealing, plus customers, come by and they have sex on your steps, defecate on your steps, use drugs."
These people love where they live, in San Francisco's Mission District. They just hate the crime. A couple of years ago, Douglas Chin was so fed up with prostitution that he tried to chase the "Johns" away by throwing rebar at them. It got him arrested.
A full night's sleep, they say, is a rarity. Mission District resident Jane Martin says she gets woken up nearly every night. "I'll be woken up by prostitutes and pimps chasing prostitutes or Johns' cars with loud stereos."
Our hidden camera capture some of the wild ways of the street. It's the sort of thing Mission residents see on a daily basis. One apparent pimp tries to recruit hookers into his stable. He circles the block and backs up, trying to corral them. The women run, terrified. Fortunately for them, the police are watching and move in, ending a potentially violent situation.
The women he was trying to recruit asked not to be identified. "He just kept on going around the corner, trying to talk his stuff. 'Come on, come on and get with a real pimp."
Residents are confronted with streetwalkers around the clock and so are the children who live there. "What's really discouraging, not only for our own kids, but for kids who go to school on the corner, is that the prostitutes will hook right in front of the playground," says Jane Martin. "So they're very aware that this is going on around them."
The kids are exposed to open drug dealing, too. We caught a crack deal happening in broad daylight.
Residents in San Francisco's Mission District have been complaining about hookers and drug dealers for years. We took our hidden cameras to the streets to see just how prevalent the crime is.
One Mission District resident says he's seen everything. "Prostitution, drug dealing, plus customers, come by and they have sex on your steps, defecate on your steps, use drugs."
These people love where they live, in San Francisco's Mission District. They just hate the crime. A couple of years ago, Douglas Chin was so fed up with prostitution that he tried to chase the "Johns" away by throwing rebar at them. It got him arrested.
A full night's sleep, they say, is a rarity. Mission District resident Jane Martin says she gets woken up nearly every night. "I'll be woken up by prostitutes and pimps chasing prostitutes or Johns' cars with loud stereos."
Our hidden camera capture some of the wild ways of the street. It's the sort of thing Mission residents see on a daily basis. One apparent pimp tries to recruit hookers into his stable. He circles the block and backs up, trying to corral them. The women run, terrified. Fortunately for them, the police are watching and move in, ending a potentially violent situation.
The women he was trying to recruit asked not to be identified. "He just kept on going around the corner, trying to talk his stuff. 'Come on, come on and get with a real pimp."
Residents are confronted with streetwalkers around the clock and so are the children who live there. "What's really discouraging, not only for our own kids, but for kids who go to school on the corner, is that the prostitutes will hook right in front of the playground," says Jane Martin. "So they're very aware that this is going on around them."
The kids are exposed to open drug dealing, too. We caught a crack deal happening in broad daylight.
Sep 17th, 2002, 06:24 PM
#43
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hubby & I just came back from two weeks in S.F. We both LOVED Chinatown - went there 3-4 times. It's the largest "working" Chinest community outside Asia and very ethnic...very unusual and very fun. You can walk Stockton Street where the Chinese actually shop, or opt for Grant or other streets that are more touristy. The verrrry best food we ate in Chinatown came recommended from many locals & we ate there several times....called Nan King. Very local, very good prices, and awesome food. We still talk about it!
Hubby wanted to go to Alcatraz & I didn't; however, I was glad I went. Very interesting tour and great boat ride. Every time you go back to S.F., you'll of course, see the Island of Alcatraz off in the distance, & you will have a different perspective about it since you visited there.
I jumped on the BART (by myself) on Saturday morning and headed for the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market at the Embarcadero. One of the most fun things I did on the whole trip. Gourmet vendors and upscale.
We booked a room at the Westin St. Francis which was very exclusive & located right on Union Square. Got it for $105 a night on Starwood.com. The room was small but verrry nice. Breath-taking lobby.
And make sure you bring a jacket and sweaters!!! Hope this helps. Have a blast.
Hubby wanted to go to Alcatraz & I didn't; however, I was glad I went. Very interesting tour and great boat ride. Every time you go back to S.F., you'll of course, see the Island of Alcatraz off in the distance, & you will have a different perspective about it since you visited there.
I jumped on the BART (by myself) on Saturday morning and headed for the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market at the Embarcadero. One of the most fun things I did on the whole trip. Gourmet vendors and upscale.
We booked a room at the Westin St. Francis which was very exclusive & located right on Union Square. Got it for $105 a night on Starwood.com. The room was small but verrry nice. Breath-taking lobby.
And make sure you bring a jacket and sweaters!!! Hope this helps. Have a blast.
Sep 18th, 2002, 09:06 PM
#45
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for the invite, but I do not live in the city anymore, but down the coast. The Mission can be fun with a good leader, like my cousin who lives near by.
Comparing the Marina to Embarcadero
Embarcadero is in the corporate area of the city, bussiness like with big buildings
Marina is more residential. Previous posters are correct in mentioning Chestnut and Union as great streets of wonderful food, nightlife and young people. It is a happy neighborhood. The Marina green is not far to walk, with boat harbours, and many people walking dogs, playing ball. Good for picnic.
Comparing the Marina to Embarcadero
Embarcadero is in the corporate area of the city, bussiness like with big buildings
Marina is more residential. Previous posters are correct in mentioning Chestnut and Union as great streets of wonderful food, nightlife and young people. It is a happy neighborhood. The Marina green is not far to walk, with boat harbours, and many people walking dogs, playing ball. Good for picnic.
