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I recently stayed in Union Square while traveling alone. I would have to agree with those who do not recommend it as a place to stay. It was okay during the day, but the streets were rather dirty and there were a significant number of bums who could be quite agressive at times. One even tried to grab hold of my purse when I ignored his requests for a handout! At night I really did not feel comfortable walking alone in Union Square. I would recommend not staying there.
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Why the dabate about whether Union Square is safe or not? I've lived here for over 20 years, and can't imagine why anyone would want to stay in the Union Square or Fisherman's warf area no matter how safe they may be. <BR><BR>The only thing I'd add about safety is that many hotels advertise as being near Union Square (which is true), but in reality they are in the "Tenderloin," which is about 5 blocks west and is not a place you should stay. Stay East of Mason if you insist on staying in the Union Square area.<BR><BR>Unfortunatley, I don't have much experience staying in hotels here. I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Financial District (on Kearney street), which is a reasonably priced hotel on the edge of the financial district, North Beach, Jackson Square, and Chinatown. If you can get an upper floor room facing North, you'll have a spectacular view as well.
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Marcia, <BR>I just returned from S.F. and had a wonderful time. I was with another woman and felt perfectly safe, although, like most big cities, there are some areas you shouldn't go alone at night. We were only in Union Square in the day, but I have stayed there with my husband in the past and felt safe.<BR><BR>San Francisco is a terrific city--one of my favorites--and I'm sure you'll have a great time.
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26 responses to a San Francisco thread and no one has mentioned San Jose? This must be a record....<BR><BR>Marcia, just another voice to let you know that San Francisco is VERY safe. The area such as the Tenderloin are more seedy/dirty than unsafe. Union Square is ridiculously well populated with locals, shoppers, tourists, business people, store workers at all times of day. Sure, at night after everything closes, it's a bit quieter, but there are enough people around to make you feel safe. <BR><BR>Here's the deal on wine country. If your REALLY love wine and the thought of relaxing at a spa and wine tasting all day, definitely rent a car and spend a night or two up there. If you just want to drive around and see the scenery, you can easily do it in a day from SF. <BR><BR>The coast is pretty much the same deal. You'd have to go down as far as Monterey or Carmel to get a place to stay. Personally, I think the drive down the coast from SF to Santa Cruz and back is quite an easy daytrip. <BR><BR>There is a lot to see and do in SF, so don't try and pack too much into too few days. Decide what you prefer (city life, shopping, natural beauty, wine, etc) and plan accordingly.
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Although I never had to stay in a hotel in SF I live in the city for nearly 13 years, all this time in downtown area, so I visit the Union Square area often, worked nearby most of the time, and it puzzles me why would Mona be so aggressively against this area? Daytime shopping, nighttime theater life, restaurants from fast food to upscale, never ever heard from anybody except Mona that this area may be dangerous.
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I find it interesting how upset people on SF threads get when someone disagrees with them. Mona is not really wrong about Union Square. It does have a problem with the homeless and its proximity to the Tenderloin is not a plus. I think the person posting under the different names is not Mona, but in fact those who are promoting Union Square as being very safe. I find that very interesting.
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Homelessness indirectly will lead to crime. When an area gets run down as a result of the homeless, it attracts criminal elements to the area. Criiminal statistics back up this premise. That is one of the reasons why Mayor Giuliani was sucessful in making NYC safer, because he was adamant about the small things such as fixing broken windows and getting rid of graffiti. Criminals seek out the run down neighborhoods to conduct their "business."
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If you are visiting SF as a tourist, why not stay at Tuscan Inn Fisherman's Warf. Lovely hotel (small rooms though), close to the cable car line, restaurants, and other friendly tourists. If you are driving a car, the warf area is also a lot easier to maneuver since it's flat. We found Tuscan Inn was an easy location to reach from Highway 101. Fisherman's Warf is certainly not the most elegant area of town, but it's fun, safe, and full of tourists - they can't all be wrong!
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Joe - it's not really that people get upset when people disagree with them, it's that they get upset with a couple posters who constantly say negative things about an area without giving any good information about alternative areas.
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Mona, what about a response for us? As usual, you're going to ignore our pleas for HELPFUL advice??
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Mona?
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