san fran day trip
 

hi i will be in napa in sept, but want to drive to san fran and spend a day there. any advice on what to do, or where to park my car? have a senior so can't do a lot of walking. where is best for enjoying the city and sites and dealing with my car?<BR>thanks<BR>sharon

Unfortunately, SF is a walking city and parking a car is expensive and difficult. THere is a big parking structure just across the street from Pier 39. From there the walking is at least level ground. You will need to make use of taxis or take a tour if your senior can't do a lot of walking. Could senior manage the cable cars? My 91 year old MIL no longer can climb up onto the car. We end up driving her around and then valet park for lunch somewhere nice. She still enjoys the visit but it's not the way you should see SF.

Another fun idea might be taking the ferry from Vallejo. Parking in Vallejo is free and the ferry takes a little over an hour. No city driving hassle. You can get off at Fisherman's Wharf, enjoy a walk around, have lunch, even ride the cable car if the line isn't too long. <BR><BR>Or, you could get off at the Ferry Plaza. If you go on a Saturday you can check out the farmer's market right there, which is great for foodies. You can then ride a cable car from the foot of Market to Union Square for shopping or lunch. Cabs are readily available too if there's a particular sight you want to see in the city.<BR><BR>At the end of the day catch the ferry back to Vallejo and drive back to Napa, only about 30 minutes away. Here's a link to the ferry service: <BR>www.baylinkferry.com.

If you can't do a lot of walking but would like to enjoy the sights of SF, I'd recommend driving the "49 mile scenic route" that goes all over the city and to a number of different neighborhoods. It should be listed in guidebooks and there are signs around town to help you follow it. <BR><BR>If you're in town on a weekend, there is a free shuttle that runs all over Golden Gate Park. You could get off in a number of different spots and visit different parts of the park. Likewise, there is a free shuttle that goes all around the Presidio.<BR><BR>If you want to go to Alcatraz, there is a tram that the senior with you can take to the top of the Island. (Be sure to buy tix several days in advance.)<BR><BR>If it's a nice day, you might consider taking the one-hour Bay Cruise that leaves from Fisherman's Wharf. It provides some wonderful views of SF from the water, goes under (or at least out to) the Golden Gate Bridge, and has a audio tour that goes with it, I think. Tix are sold at Pier 41 (next to Pier 39).

I really like Susan's suggestion to take the ferry from Vallejo. And a Saturday would be great because of the Farmer's Market, an attraction in itself. You could take a taxi down to Ghirardelli Square where there are restaurants, shops and places to sit down and people watch. Have a great day in SF.

The 49-mile drive is not good. If you do decide to drive it - only do the part that starts at the Embarcadero (near Pier 39) and stop once you get to the Cliff House (near the Great Highway).<BR><BR>The rest of it is ridiculous and not very pretty. (Who wants to see Army St?)

Sharc,<BR><BR>I personally would skip SF as a day trip and spend the extra time in Napa or head over to the coast in Mendocino. For one thing, SF is really dirty because of all the street people and drug addicts that use the sidewalks as a public bathroom, along with having a significant crime problem. Driving in town is also a major hassle, and finding parking is next to impossible.

Jack, when was the last time you were in SF and could you please define our significant crime problem?<BR>Sharc, Ignore him, come and have a nice day. There's also parking at Ghirardelli, under the square.

If Jack would personally skip SF all the more reason to go! He hasn't been correct yet. "JK" has to mean "just kidding".

Just a heads up here, while you are there, do NOT refer to it as San Fran, or Frisco. You will be singled out for ugly stares. It is either "The City" or San Fransisco, to the locals.<BR><BR>Just thought you'd like to know in advance.

Kam, <BR><BR>I was last in SF about 2 month ago.<BR><BR>These are some quotes from the local SF newspaper. No doubt that with a rise in homelessness and even parolees, increased crime goes right along with it. <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>"Homelessness, the dirty streets and the drug use rampant in the area are as much a social problem as a criminal one."<BR><BR>"In San Francisco, we have a high transient population," said Rick Winistorfer, supervisor of one of the four parole units in San Francisco. "The last person you want to have as a transient is a high-risk sex offender."<BR>

The sad decline of San Francisco as seen through the eyes of a resident who fell in love with this city over 20 years ago, and now is saddened by how decrepit it has become.<BR><BR><BR>Those faces from my days here in San Francisco haunt me. The dead-eyed, hunched, androgynous person who sits in a wheelchair on the corner of Divisidero and Haight at rush hour. The African American man who holds a skinny pole and teeters along an embankment doing a bizarre fishing pantomime on Van Ness. The chubby, slightly menacing bearded grump who slumps on the sidewalk in front of Cala supermarket on Geary, staring down at the sidewalk drawing circles.<BR>I have lived and visited many U.S. cities, but never have I seen so many wretched, diverse souls - all with their hands out, all grabbing at part of me, every day in San Francisco. In restaurants they try to sell me dead flowers. On street corners they ask for whatever you have as they push shopping carts and flash toothless smiles.<BR><BR>Each morning I pass the line in front of the Veteran's Administration building before speeding off down Highway 101 toward work. On my way home I wait at every street light reading signs panhandlers clutch. ``Down and out,'' ``Homeless,'' ``Out of work,'' the signs say. Their owners stare at you blankly as you wait for the light to turn. You pretend you don't see them. They always ask for whatever you can spare - even a smile. Most of the time I don't feel like smiling. This change begging ritual depresses me and wears me down.<BR>When I have it, I toss quarters and dollars their way, hoping to make myself feel better for the moment. The words ``if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem,'' skirt through my head, as I ponder political activism or soup kitchen volunteering. Later, when the fifth person in a given night has made similar pleas for cash and I am out of change I only want to scream because there is nothing I can do to stop it. While some who beg for your quarters are thankful for whatever you give, many emit anger and frustration as they shake the cup.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>I think about what people do with the change they collect, how they build a small life around that money every day. Sometimes in Cala market I watch men with grubby hands spill dimes and pennies in front of the cashier, paying out like children for a bag of Doritos and a fifth of some cheap vodka. I sometimes help make up the difference by tossing in a dollar, but do not get involved. I do not want a stranger following me home to my studio apartment.<BR><BR>I do ponder ways to deal with this strange life, a life where people with families and pasts and secret hidden passions and talents keep asking me for money where ever I go.<BR><BR>And there is no answer, I think, as I scrape the lining of my pocket for a quarter. I could move to a socialist country, flee to a suburb, never leave my apartment, though I know these are no answers. I am always going to feel sick and guilty about how we ignore the poor in a way that nothing else in my life makes me feel.<BR><BR>

Cal, beautifully written and I completely agree. I hope we will find a real solution to this problem and those who suggest a pen next to the Buffalos in the park need to remember "there but for the grace of God......" JK, I read the Cronicle every morning, not just two weeks ago. When I think of crime I think of stabbing, gunshooting, armed robbery, armed breakins,child abduction and murder, not some rheumy eyed drunk sitting at a corner with a "Homeless" sign. But, if you want to stay away, that's just fine with me. BTW, I have never felt as unsafe as I did once in a moderate sized midwestern city where there was large scale gang activity and a patrol in the parking lot to keep your car from being broken into.

for what it's worth -<BR><BR>http://www.explode.com/rr/homeless.shtml<BR>

Kam,<BR><BR>I think that you misunderstood what I was trying to say. Homelessness will ultimately lead to criminal activity such as robbery, assaults, drug dealing, etc. I did not say that homelessness in and of itself is a crime.

But, Jack, that is not what you said, is it? You also quoted some random quotes from our newspaper. So far SF has not become the murder/rape/shooting/gang activity/home invasion capital of the U.S. so why are you trying to scare off the tourists? Do you think your posts are constructive? Do you have some "bash SF" agenda? Were you threatened two months ago when you were in the city? Yes, we have a whole lot of homeless people, most of whom are drunks, drug abusers, and organic brain disease suffers as well as schizophrenics. Do you also disapprove of dogs peeing on the city streets? Enough said....no more, I'm really tired of trying to get this through some very thick heads out there. Those of you who choose to come to SF, I wish you a wonderful time in a remarkable city; those of you who find our problems beyond help, please find some place else to go and I hope it lives up to your expectations because the homeless are always with us.

Kam,<BR><BR>There is no use having a discussion with someone who refuses to take their blinders off to see how really bad SF has been on the decline over recent years. As I stated before, I never said homelessness was a crime, but it ultimately leads to crime either out of desperation or as a result that many of these people are mentally ill. We must realize that SF is no longer waht it used to be. I am not trying to "scare" tourists but feel that SF is being misreprsented to people who do not otherwise know what SF is really like.<BR><BR>Also, how can you equate dogs peeing on the sidewalk to people using the streets as toilet? That is a very weak argument.

Jack, is it possible you are overstating your "warnings"? Many, many people come to San Francisco on vacation and have the best time of their lives. I am in San Francisco frequently and love the city. It has nothing to do with blinders. People are living on the streets in SF. That problem isn't going to go away when you discourage all the tourists from visiting. It's a problem the citizens of SF need to solve. The rest of us can't vote on the SF ballot. <BR><BR>Where's Sharc? I think he/she's gotten some good advice here about her question, which was about the best way to enjoy the city with a senior who is not able to do a lot of walking.

Susan,<BR><BR>It is not only a homeless issue. It is also the trash on the streets, the prostitution, the open drug dealing, and all of the negative elements that go along with this type of activity that people should be made aware of. I think that many tourists are not aware of the problems that plaque SF and once they go there, they are disappointed.

Oh great! Now JK is accsuing SF of having "plaque". What next, athlete's foot?

JK, What areas of SF do you frequent?<BR>If all you see is prostitution, drugs and trash maybe you are in the wrong areas? Or do you LIKE watching the prostitutes and drug users? Are you really crying out for help due to your own situation? Makes you wonder why you're constantly bringing up these topics.

xx,<BR><BR>Many of the areas downtown, specifically Union Square, you will find many of these illicit activities in plain view even during the day. It is absolutely disgusating.

xx,<BR><BR>Many of the areas downtown, specifically Union Square, you will find many of these illicit activities in plain view even during the day. It is absolutely disgusting.

Jack,<BR>I was just down there this past weekend and took in the opening of the newly remodeled UnSq. They did a nice job and a SFPD "promised me" they'd do their best to keep it clean.<BR>Only time will tell, especially since the local hotels and other businesses are getting behind the "clean up SF" movement.<BR>Will you at least wish them luck in their attempts to clean it up to your standards?<BR><BR>I recall all of the horror stories about NYC before I went. Almost the same as what you say about SF.<BR><BR>Found just the opposite. While there was the usual "abnormal street culture" it was not as bad as everybody painted it out to be. <BR>Many Mahalos,<BR>Kal

Oh don't you worry about it Sharc. I lived in SF for five years and theh crime/homeless problem there isn't any different than any other big city. Rule of thumb: always be aware of your surroundings. <BR><BR>Anyway, I'd like to add the suggestion that you Do NOT go to Pier 39 or the Wharf. Total tourist trap, does not show you what the city is really like. <BR><BR>Go to www.sfcityguides.org to get the schedule for a fun, interesting FREE (well, they ask for donations at the end but it's a low pressure thing) walking tour of a section of the city. I've taken two of them and they are wonderful.

I heard horror stories about New Orleans being a filthy, crime-ridden city before I went there as well. Although it was a little dirty in some areas - to be expected in a working city - I did not find it filthy or fear for my safety at anytime. Had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Jeff,<BR><BR>How can you say that SF's homeless problem is no different than any other city's? I have been living in SF for 15 years and have never seen the city's homeless population and filth in the streets as bad as it is now. I go to NYC at least twice per year and am amazed at how Mayor Giuliani cleaned up the city.

Cal, I think you've got it!! The City's problems, like those in many parts of the state, are directly related to the politics of the last several decades. Maybe it's time to do something more than just ponder political activism.

See post below "Changes in NYC since Rudy left office" JK's logic is quite a joke. Homeless= mental illness=drugs abuse/alcohol abuse=prostitution=criminal behavior. I don't get it.

Seamus,<BR><BR>So what you are saying is that cleaning up that dirty run down streets do not provide an environment for crime? Any law enforcement agency will conclude otherwise. Criminal activity breeds in the run down areas of cities. Every since the Mayor cleaned up NYC, the crime rate has plummetted. You can't argue with the facts.

Cal - I have to agree. Try supporting Gavin Newsom's Care not Cash plan and quit handing out money to be spent on booze and drugs.<BR><BR>You're helping to propogate the problem by being an enabler. Besides, you already give the right kind of help through taxes.

I'm actually a tourist in SF now and I find this city no different from many others and a lot better than LA. If you want to see a homeless problem try Santa Monica Park.<BR><BR>Bye

JK, Just give me one reliable, scientific study that proves homeless people eventually turn criminal. They beg for their money, they don't shoot people.

Seamus,<BR>There is no arguing with the facts!!<BR>Here is the information about the relationship of homelessness and crime<BR><BR><BR>"I was on the streets fending for myself from the age of nine. When I came out of prison after nine years inside, I was literally on the streets. I felt like the whole world was against me, like society wanted me to go back inside." <BR>These words of a 34-year-old resident of a housing project run by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro) show the link between housing and crime more clearly than any set of research statistics. <BR>While many homeless people are law-abiding, vulnerable people without a home are more likely to drift into crime - and prisoners are more likely to re-offend if they have no home to go to on release. <BR><BR>Over the last three decades, surveys and research studies have reinforced this message. Recent examples include a 1997<BR>survey by the Prisons Inspectorate which found that a quarter of young prisoners were homeless on reception; a 1998 Nacro<BR>research study of juveniles in young offender institutions, 60% of whom had unstable living conditions; and the Social Exclusion Unit's finding in the same year that half of rough sleepers had atsome time been in a prison or remand center. <BR><BR>Yet prisoners released homeless are much more likely to reoffend. One home office research study, which followed up<BR>nearly 600 men for two years after release, found that less than a third of those with homes to go to were reconvicted, compared with 69% of those with no home. There are many obstacles to housing offenders and those at risk<BR>of offending. These include the serious shortage of affordable rented accommodation; changes in benefit arrangements which have made it harder for single people with low incomes to find housing; and delays in processing housing benefit claims so that people can wait months before getting their benefit. <BR><BR><BR>The message is clear: when housing and criminal justice agencies work together to cut homelessness, they are also working to cut crime. <BR><BR>

My goodness--homeless people are all over--they are in nyc where I live--in North Carolina chicago and everyplace in the world. just go about your business-walk in safe areas and trust to good sense and stop dwelling on the homeless!!

Thanks for those words, Judy. I think I don't really need to go out and buy that big dog after all.:~) I do hope we have not put Sharc off from her plans to come to SF and enjoy the day with her senior companion. And, to clarify, only park across from pier 39---I didn't mean for you to visit it. It's mostly for kids.

Jack: You are right you better just stay home in Salt Lake City. But Sharc wanted advice not ranting. Sure some homeless commit crimes, but so do some middle class folks, Enron employees, postal workers, and Catholic Priests.<BR><BR>The homeless like it here because we have terrific weather and beautiful views--who can blame them. I have worked in the city for 10 years and have yet to be assaulted by a homeless person, but have witnessed plenty of people driving their Lexuses or BMWs in a state of road rage. <BR><BR>Do not let fear and negative propagana spoil your vacation plans. <BR><BR>Do try to take a trip on the Bay--Fery or trip to Alcatraz to enjoy the views.

Soohelp,<BR><BR>I think that that Sharc also needs to be made aware of what SF is really like before coming here. There are people on this board who do nothing but mislead tourists into thinking that SF is some perfect place with no more of a homeless and filth problem than any other city, which is not true. The homeless can be very agressive to passersby, and many people will find this intimidating. The problem is that many of these vagrants like to populate the popular tourist spots in SF.