OK, Let's hear the real truth about San Francisco...
Mar 15th, 2002, 01:13 PM
#21
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I say GO! I was there in November.
Yes there were some homeless people
about; just like I've seen in every
other city. But far fewer than I expected after reading the comments on this forum. Nobody bothered us. Just smiled at them and kept walking.
We stayed at The Fairmont in Nob Hill.
Very nice area. Beautiful hotel, huge room. Nice all around.
We spent two weeks in California, driving down the coast to San Diego, and I would say I liked San Francisco
the most. Lots of culture, character,
beautiful architecture (sp?), and lots of outdoors type activities nearby.
We stayed at The Fairmont in Santa Monica and had to step over homeless
people sleeping in the park area that runs along the beach near the pier. We also stepped over them sitting in the doorway of I Cugini, where we had dinner one night. I felt uncomfortable in Santa Monica, especially walking around at night. Never once felt uncomfortable in San Francisco, especially since there always seemed to be more people around.
As with any city, there are areas to stay away from...and areas with lots going on and lots of people about.
Also, just wanted to say to Kam - you are the kindest, politest (is that a word?) most patient person on this forum. Your information is very helpful and I always enjoy reading what you have to say. Thanks for all of your input!
Yes there were some homeless people
about; just like I've seen in every
other city. But far fewer than I expected after reading the comments on this forum. Nobody bothered us. Just smiled at them and kept walking.
We stayed at The Fairmont in Nob Hill.
Very nice area. Beautiful hotel, huge room. Nice all around.
We spent two weeks in California, driving down the coast to San Diego, and I would say I liked San Francisco
the most. Lots of culture, character,
beautiful architecture (sp?), and lots of outdoors type activities nearby.
We stayed at The Fairmont in Santa Monica and had to step over homeless
people sleeping in the park area that runs along the beach near the pier. We also stepped over them sitting in the doorway of I Cugini, where we had dinner one night. I felt uncomfortable in Santa Monica, especially walking around at night. Never once felt uncomfortable in San Francisco, especially since there always seemed to be more people around.
As with any city, there are areas to stay away from...and areas with lots going on and lots of people about.
Also, just wanted to say to Kam - you are the kindest, politest (is that a word?) most patient person on this forum. Your information is very helpful and I always enjoy reading what you have to say. Thanks for all of your input!
Mar 15th, 2002, 04:23 PM
#24
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llike, I assure you that I am not Jane. But, I appreciate Jane's comments and I do try to provide useful advice here about California, where I live and have lived in both north and south. If you don't appreciate that, then you don't have to read it, but don't criticize Jane for her thanks.
Mar 15th, 2002, 05:34 PM
#26
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Posts: n/a
Personally, I love San Francisco. If you are the type of traveler who can only look at the bad, you might try someplace else, but you can probably eliminate most every other big city in the country also. I find traveling a matter of taste, where you go as much as where you stay. A few months ago there was a post about favorite/worst places, and it's amazing how many places might be one person's favorite yet another person's worst. If you like to travel, by all means, go to San Francisco and make up your own mind.
Mar 16th, 2002, 05:32 PM
#27
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momo,
Unfortunately, most of these stories about agressive panhandlers and people releiving themselves in public fountains etc. is true. During my last trip to SF I had the misfortune of experiencing all of this. It was not just an isolated incident, but constantly everywhere we went. It became rather annoying. When you refuse to give someone money, some of them would even come after you down the street yelling obsenities. It really made for an uncomfortable situation. If I were you I would scratch SF off your list of places to visit.
Unfortunately, most of these stories about agressive panhandlers and people releiving themselves in public fountains etc. is true. During my last trip to SF I had the misfortune of experiencing all of this. It was not just an isolated incident, but constantly everywhere we went. It became rather annoying. When you refuse to give someone money, some of them would even come after you down the street yelling obsenities. It really made for an uncomfortable situation. If I were you I would scratch SF off your list of places to visit.
Mar 16th, 2002, 10:09 PM
#29
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Posts: n/a
I'm writing this from my hotel room in SF, where I have just spent two very satisfying days of personal time after wrapping up a West coast business trip. My last visit here was 8-9 years ago. The number of homeless is unquestionably greater than it was on my last visit but I can offer several observations... 1) They are far more visble in the evening hours 2) If you make a practice of making absolutely NO eye contact and walking by without responding to anything they say, chances are you'll have no difficulties whatsoever. Certain areas such as Union Square seem to be a bit more popular with panhandlers but I didn't see many in North Beach, Chinatown or the Fisherman's Wharf area. Slightly greater numbers in the part of the Mission district that I visited, very few in the Tenderloin (possibly many there but I didn't run into them). Also saw absolutely none in the Marina district. Can't speak to Cow Hollow or the Haight but in general, I can say that SF was clean and pleasant with many friendly people. It's certainly cleaner than NYC, where I spend much time, but it's a tightly packed and very urban city with a real mix of people and properties. If you're looking for modern, neat, tidy (and sterile)... it may not be your cup of tea but I love it here and hope to visit again soon (for a longer stay). I stayed at the Hotel Triton, which is a very cool little boutique hotel with lots of character (right by the Chinatown Gate on Grant Street). It's a great little hotel - helpful staff but not a snooty "beautiful people" type of place - just funky and different in a very nice way. I'll post a separate trip report about my dining and other experiences but encourage you to visit - it's a great town. Also please note that I walked and took public transport everywhere and thus had a good perspective on what it's like on the street.
Mar 17th, 2002, 03:29 AM
#30
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Oh, come on now. I do see momo's point - sort of. But this board, I think, is like a conversation in a room full of people. It's true that you'll get some input that isn't useful or relevant, but to set limits from the get-go about who is welcome to comment is like standing around at somebody's party saying "You can't come and join the rest of us in this discussion unless you have some expertise on the subject." It's not especially friendly, though it may be efficient.
