Hi All,

This is my first time post on what looks like a great forum.
Some friends are moving out to SF from the UK next week and I've been invited to stay with them next April.
I need some suggestions for what to do while I'll be there. My ideal holiday is one where I can both relax and do some sightseeing. They'll be at work most days so I'll be finding my way around on my own.Is the city safe for a lone woman traveller? What's the weather like at that time of year? Is there enought to keep me occupied for 14 days? What highlights should I definitely not miss and what areas should I avoid?

SF is actually a fairly small city. You should be able to see everything in about a couple of days. As far as the weather in April, it will most likely be cold and rainy with high temperatures in the 50's and low 60's. For a woman traveling by herself, I would recommend staying away from the downtown area, especially Union Square. When you are walking around town, it would be best not to carry a purse so as not to be a target for thieves.

Union Square is perfectly safe for women. Be careful after dark, try not to travel alone in the late evening. But there are thousands of the people in the area and on the streets, this area is the central shopping district of the city, many stores are open until 9 PM. There are upscale hotels and shops everywhere. You can spend a couple of days in museums. Allow one full day each for exploring Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, Zoo. Half day for North Beach, Ghirardelli Square, the Cannery and Pier 39. Add free-time to relax and your friends days off, you are close to 14 days.

I agree with Carolyn. I've been there on business and pleasure several times. I'm an attractive woman and I've never had any trouble walking all over the place by myself. Sometimes I just walk and walk, then take a taxi back to the hotel cuz I'm exhausted or it's getting dark.
Another suggestion is to take a cable car tour around the city. It's a pretty neat way to go. SF is always windy and a little bit colder than you thought it'd be. Make sure your stuff protects you from the wind. It is such a fun and lively city. Ativity everywhere. You won't have any trouble filling up those 14 days. P.S. The fashionable color in the city is black, black, black!

There are very few places in SF that are not safe during the day, including Union Square which is a major retail area. The only area that comes to mind is parts of Hunter's Point, and I can't imagine that there would be any reason for a visitor to go there. Like most urban areas it is not wise to walk around alone in areas you are not familiar with at night.
Hopefully your friends live in one of SF's many neighborhoods which will be fun to explore during the day and will give you a view of SF other than tourist attractions such as the Wharf and Chinatown. See sf.gate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/ for a description of various neighborhood.

SF native is right about Union Square being an unsafe area -- that is probably where his brains were stolen.
Check with the police department. There is absolutely no evidence that there is a greater crime rate in Union Square than any other area in SF. Crime is actually at a minimum there and it is extremely safe, although you may be approached by harmless panhandlers.

Go and enjoy. It's a great city for walking, if you can figure out where to start and where to end so you aren't always going uphill. There are a number of museums and parks to visit. A great town for films including "art" and foreign films.

Sammy, I would have to agree with SF native. Union Square has really become quite dirty and somewhat dangerous as well. I think that many of these people who post otherwise do not live in San Francisco, as I do, or are in denial. The main problem with Union Square is the proximity to the Tenderloin about a block away, which is known for drug dealing and other criminal activities. Lately, these bad elements have also been migrating into Union Square and other parts of Downtown SF.

Please have a safe trip.

Sammy,
Do you have any idea what neighborhood your friends will be living in? I'd be happy to offer some tips on various bus routes. I've lived in S.F. for over 40 years and have taken public transportation on a daily basis. If there is a particular style of S.F. architecture that interests you (Victorian, Art Deco, etc.), I could point you to where the best (in my opinion) examples are. 14 days is enough to see all the tourist highlights and then discover the lesser-known delights of the city. Weather-wise, it's uncertain how our current rainy season will play out into 2003. April could still be wet, although not as wet and chilly as January. Bring a lightweight all-weather coat, good walking shoes and some sweaters and t-shirts to layer.
As far as safety, I regularly walk in neighborhoods all around the city with few if any problems. I have my guard up in the Tenderloin, parts of the Western Addition, and some parts of the Mission. I think if you have any urban life skills at all, you will recognize potential danger in time to get out of the way.
Anyway, let us know more about your interests - it would help in offering advice to help plan your trip.

Just spent last weekend in SF. It is not as horrid as some of the poster make it sound. Union square was not a degenerate wasteland. It was full of people shopping and enjoying the holiday.

We were 3 females and actually walked a lot. One night from Pac Bell park back to our hotel at the Embarcadero center. The other night from Union square to Emb. Center. Saw some homeless in doorways, but they were not threatening.

I agree there are areas that I would not have walked, but you will figure it out. And if you are touring during the day, it shouldn't be so intimidating and April you will have lots of daylight.

I was asked for money a couple of times, but no one was aggressive. Heck I was asked for money outside my office in Downtown Sacramento.

I think a must see is Presidio Park. Go out to Fort Point. It's amazing to see the Golden Gate bridge from underneath.

It's also a great view of the bay. I agree with Carolyn on her agenda and public transit is very easy.

Lots of information about the city on the internet.

You will have lots to do in your 14 days.

It is safe, with a purse, to walk around union square and many other nice neighborhoods like the Marina on Chestnut street (yuppy), Castro area (pubs, restaraunts, shops, gays), and even the Mission around Valencia (day time). Or try going on one of my favorite walks from the embarcadero area, take Jackson up to broadway. It is a quiet street with beautiful old buildings, and antique shops. The walk starts at a square which I forgot the name of. It is possibly Jackson sqare.

Have fun. April can be rainy as stated earlier.

L: Union Square and the Mission sre safe neighborhoods? That's news to me. I guess that you like to live dangerously.

As all have pointed out, just keep your eyes open and when you see the buildings are getting more run down, turn around. A purse is cumbersome and could be snatched, consider other alternatives. Some of my favorites for visiting friends are:

Tour of Alcatraz
Golden Gate Bridge walk
Marina Green (on a pretty day)
The Exploratorium
Palace of Fine Arts
MOMA (Museum of Modern Art)
Chinatown (watch your purse here)
Sears Fine Foods for breakfast (Union Sq)
Northbeach
Rose Pistola restaurant in N. Beach
The Wharf if you like touristy things
The Filmore district for funky shopping
Union Street
Chestnut Street
The Presidio
Cliff House (nice at sunset)
Palace of Legion of Honor museum (Rodin)
The Castro for site-seeing & fun shopping
The Embarcadero
Ghirardelli Square & The Cannery

If you have time I would definitely add a trip to the wine country. Napa is wonderful but more touristy (although you're here off season) and Sonoma is more quaint and quiet. Both have great wine and restaurants.

A drive over the bridge to Berkeley is worth the experience. One fun area is 4th Street. Only a few blocks long but it gives you a good taste of the "other" side of the bay.

As all have said it will be cold if not raining. Layer as much as you can. The cold here is very damp and seems to be colder than the thermometer reading.

Have a wonderful time!

I live across the Bay from SF and visit often for business and pleasure. I don't understand all the ranting about Union Sq. Attended the theatre two weeks ago, parked at Union Square garage, at at Aqua -- normal people, good lighting, what's the problem? It's a CITY. Have fun, Sammy -- dress for London in April and you'll be fine. Do see Alcatraz and head over to Marin County to see Muir Woods. My Brit friends all enjoy a Chinatown tour called "Wok Wiz" -- a history walking tour followed by lunch. SF Convention & Visitors Bureau should have info. I wander around by myself night and day and other than the occasional pushy panhandler, I've never had a problem.

Much of San Francisco, especially Union Square is very dirty. I have worked in SF for 6 yrs., and I see it getting worse all the time. It is much dirtier than most cities its size. In the evening around 5 PM people are tripping over themselves to get out of town as quickly as possible. I rarely, if ever go to SF for pleasure anymore.

Thanks for these helpful replies. Now I am so looking forward to visting and not worried I'll run out of things to do.
My frends are staying in Tiburon, therefore if anyone has any specific information for that area, please let me know.

Sammy.