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Accomodations in San Francisco
We are planning to stay at the Maxwell Hotel in Union Square later this month. Has anyone been there and, if so, what was your opinion of the hotel? Is the Union Square area as bad as it appears to be from the messages I've read? If, so, can you suggest another small boutique hotel that's not up a steep hill?
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Doris, If you can I would consider another hotel. I would not want you to get a bad impression of SF by staying in the Union Square/Downtown area. Being that I live here, I do not stay in hotels in the area and therefore I am sorry that I cannot be very helpful in that regard.
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Doris, apparently I am a very famous traveler, because when I stayed in the Union Square area (the Hyatt right on the square), apparently the city temporarily removed all the pandhandlers, crooks, rapists, and murderers and also cleaned up the entire area. I wandered that area for several days at all hours of days and nights and although I did see a couple of people with palms out for money, I never saw even an inkling of what some of these people are talking about. It seemed perfectly safe, no different than any other city, except perhaps there were fewer "shady" types than I usually see in New York, Miami or any other major city. <BR><BR>Apparently the day I left, the city made an announcement, strewed the streets with trash again, and allowed all these horrible characters back into the city. I guess it was nice that they had transformed Union <BR>Square into a nice place just for my visit. I know that my experience was totally unique, because several posters here insist that normally it is a place that somewhat approaches Hell.
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I agree that the Union Square and Downtown district in SF is an area to be avoided. Every time I go to SF on business it seems to keep getting worse all the time. SF's problems with grime and homelessness seem to be significantly greater that many other cities I have visited. On my most recent trip to New York City, I rarely saw any panhandlers at all, and the city was very clean and I did not ever feel that it was unsafe. That's alot more than can be said for SF.
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Doris, please heed Patrick's advice - you are safe in The Union Square area (using the same common sense you would in any large city.) i have been to SF several times in the past year, traveling with my husband & his parents. We alsways stay in Union Square (and have stopped into the Maxwell for post-theater coffee & dessert) and love the location. Close to shopping, theater, and the new area south of Market. We have stayed at The Andrews and the Carwright, both in your area and had NEVER had a problem. The Maxwell is fine, don't change your reservation.
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Doris, Native and Cali are most correct in advising against staying in Union Square and Downtown SF. During the most recent SF trip with my husband and his parents we stayed in union Square at the Westin Hotel. The hotel was nice but little did we know before booking it that the area was not that great. When we checked into the hotel and went up to the room, we noticed a pamphlet in the room with precautions to take when walking around the vicinity of the hotel in Union Square and along Market Street. At first we didn't think much of it until we started walking aroung Union Square. Boy they were they right. We saw a lady who had her purse stolen in broad daylight in front of Macy's. That was enough for me.
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I can't believe what I'm reading here! <BR>I just got back from SF on Friday night. I was there with my husband (he was on a business trip) for 3 days. <BR>I am an attractive woman in my mid-20s that did not grow up in a city. I went to Union Square for shopping every day I was there, and at night too. There is no problem there at all. In fact, it is really festive. I was never hassled by anyone, and didn't see that happen to anyone else. At no point in time did I feel unsafe. Union square is a very lively area and is lots of fun for visiting the city. The only hotel I've stayed at in Union Square is the Westin St. Francis. <BR>Bottom line, this forum is "full of it" with regards to Union Square. Go live it up. It is totally safe there as far as I'm concerned. All you need to do is be aware like you would in any other city. <BR>It's pretty down there right now too, with the big Christmas tree and decorations. <BR>Enjoy!<BR>
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The problem here is that there's such a wide range of what people consider safe or OK or normal. If you live in a city and normally walk around it, and you have some basic semblance of common sense, Union Square is probably fine - it's not beautiful and clean-cut, but it is centrally-located and convenient. It is also in the middle of a fair-sized city, so do try to act semi-together ... don't whip out your map and consult it in the middle of the street, don't wander around gawking and step into the way of locals who are tring to get somewhere in a hurry, and don't go out wearing the Koh-i-Noor diamond. If you're from the back of beyond and normally drive everywhere in your SUV avoiding any people who look different from you, and you are completely unprepared for and disdainful of urban living, Union Square is not for you - but I don't know where else in San Francisco to recommend. And, Cali, I would have the same problem with New York, which is my home town.
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It is ineresting to see some of the people who think that SF has no real problems greater than most cities. I am from New York City and a 30-ish female who travels to SF a couple of times per year for business. I avoid Union Square because it has become so seedy that it no longer is an enjoyable and safe place to be. The trash in the streets and street people are not the worst of the problems. The gang and drug activity in the area is what really is scary. New York is a big city and also has its share of problems, but not on the scale of SF.
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Doris,<BR><BR>I haven't stayed at the Maxwell, so I can't offer an review of that particular hotel. While looking at area hotels, the Vintage Court and Juliana caught my eye, but we didn't stay there. I am not sure that you will find a place to stay that isn't on or near a steep hill. Hills are just a part of San Francisco. <BR><BR>I can offer you a review of Union Square. My husband and I stayed on the Grand Hyatt just off Union Square in November and really enjoyed our stay. Union Square is very pedestrian friendly and we felt very comfortable walking all around the area and enjoying the sites at ALL hours of the day. While we were there the streets were filled with tourists, not homeless. <BR><BR>Having said that, San Francisco does have a problem with the homeless and there are obviously lots of different ideas on how to take care of them, as demonstrated on this thread (I'm sure) and other threads on the board. We were approached four times by men asking for money during our five day stay. It didn't ruin our trip, just added seasoning and certainly would NOT keep us from returning. <BR><BR>San Francisco is unlike any other city I have ever been too before. Every corner was full of interesting people and places. And the area is simply beautiful. Enjoy!<BR><BR>To those posters who would continue to trash San Francisco and it's citizens, please find a MORE constructive way to solve the issues that concern you about the homeless instead of a travel forum! Go VOTE or RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. But you can't solve those problems here.
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Sarah - what are you talking about? There is no gang activity in the Union Square area that I have ever witnessed or read in the paper. <BR><BR>When you get to the area near Market and west of 6th street you see some drug dealing going on, and while that is certainly not in the heart in of Union Square, I guess I could see how you might say the "drug activity...is scary." But to say there is gang activity in the area is completey untrue. SF doesn't have a big problem with gangs. There are of course a few pockets - the most notorious area is around Mission and 24th street, which is nowhere near Union Square. <BR><BR>Go ahead and slam us for the homeless, etc. (it is sometimes deserved, though the area is still safe), but that is no reason to make up stories about gangs.<BR>
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Mel, I am sorry that you disagree but I have seen gang activity in Union Square and along Market Street on several occasions. That is the problem with the homelessness in this city. When an area becomes rundown, it breeds more serious criminal activity.
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Sarah, <BR>Would you be so kind as to list a url which mentions gang activity in downtown SF. Anything will do -- something from the police dept, a newspaper, a citizens group, etc.<BR><BR>Thanks ever so,<BR><BR>o2
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Been to SF many times, always stay at Union Square. I have never seen any gangs, murders, stabbings, rapes, or muggings. Yes, I have seen panhandlers - do not give them money and keep walking - trust me, they do not follow you to your hotel and beat it out of you.<BR><BR>As far as gangs? Well Sarah, I live in a smaller city on the East coast, there is gang activity in our town - maybe I should move? And tell me, do the gangs hang our in the lobby of the Mark Hopkins? or do they limit themselves to lurking behind a potted palm at the Drake? I'm sure there are gangs in SF, but Obviously ANYONE traveling in a large city should use common sense, walk on well-lit streets, take cabs if you are uncomfortable walking at night, be smart with money, etc.
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Atitagain:<BR><BR>For your information, Union Square is only a couple of blocks from Market Street. So any criminal activity that occurs on Market St. could very well affect Union Square as well.
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Gangs in SF: You do realize that most of us visiting this website are hoping you will be taking your medication today. It appears you prescription may have run out. Shall I call the pharmacy and request a refill?
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Doris,<BR><BR>I have not, can not and will not ever understand this "smear" campaign aimed at San Francisco. I have been to this great city countless times (and stayed in Union Square) and have NEVER had a problem. My girlfriend has been to SF several times by herself and has NEVER had a problem. Two of my cousins have lived there for almost eleven years and have NEVER had a problem (I directed them to this forum and they were horrified to read what's posted here).<BR><BR>Is there a homeless problem is San Francisco? Absolutely.<BR><BR>Are there panhandlers in SF? Positively.<BR><BR>Is there crime? Of course--as with most cities of any size.<BR><BR>But for the life of me, I can't understand why a few individuals take these problems (that, again, are inherent in most cities) and blow them all out of proportion when it comes to San Francisco.<BR><BR>From listening to some of these people, you'd think SF was the setting for the film, "Escape From New York."<BR><BR>Honest to God...<BR><BR>Davidcs<BR><BR>
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HELLLOOOO - Market street is pretty long - to say there is crime on Market so Union Square is horrbile is foolish
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wakeup:<BR><BR>Was that English!? Can you translate?
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My post was in reference to a previous post, Author: xxxx ([email protected])<BR>"For your information, Union Square is only a couple of blocks from Market Street. So any criminal activity that occurs on Market St. could very well affect Union Square as well."<BR><BR>What my reply was trying to convey is that Market St. is BIG - runs from 17th & Castro to the Embarcadero. The previous poster's sweeping statement that there is crime on Market so Union Square is affected - is kind of lame.
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