gustav

For travelers wandering to go or skip SF, dont hesitate to visit this wonderful city.
Just came back and had great time there.
Nice walks, friendly people, excellent food.
Of course, as an any big cities there are problems, but they are secundary if knowing how to handle them and should not spare you from comming. The homeless in their vast mayority are non violent, sick people, giving
sentiments of pity.
Enjoy!

dawn

Gustav,

I am glad that you had a good time in SF. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about my recent trip there. Many of the posts that I read about the aggressive panhandlers and prostitutes I found to be true. When I first read that stuff I thought it was exaggeration. My recommendation to other travelers would be to think twice about going to SF until the city can take care of the many social problems that exist. I was in Philadelphia this weekend, and on Walnut Street, in Rittenhouse Square I saw the police escorting away a homeless man that was minding his own business. Philly seems to understand that homeless people, whether agressive or not, do keep tourists away. Even those such as myself, who are from a big city would like to not to be exposed to the odor of human waste on the streets and to the trash that the trash that the homeless leave behind.

Faina

I don't understand how in all my 12 years in SF I was never threatened by a homeless person. Maybe I did not stare at them? Maybe I don't make an obnoxious face when asked for spare change? Or maybe I truly believe we are all God's children not only when I go to a house of worship, but when I walk the streets as well? And when travelling may be I am wrong not to have the attitude that homeless people have one purpose only: to spoil my vacations. I could have a reason for whimpy complains if I'd see only the negative sides.

x

Or maybe "dawn's" just another SF bashing troll?

Adam

Dawn is the same person who bashes SF under other names. On no other forum have I EVER seen people talk about "human waste" ("Dawn"'s favorite thing to discuss, btw) yet EVERY SF post has it on fodors.com.

Bob

We live in this great area and even after a fantastic trip to Europe we always look forward to coming home to the Bay Area.

SF has some problems, but the city is unique. Our friends that visit us here love the city and the surrounding area. We know because we get a lot of visitors that want to see this area.

May

I too just got back to Australia from SF. SF is indeed a beautiful city to visit. Very different to the rest of California. It has its own charm despite human wastes on sidewalks (yes, I actually saw someone using the front of a poshy theatre as their restroom!) and the homeless plight. We found it relatively safe as long as you keep to yourself and are 'street-smart'. I would recommend a stopover definetly.

Melissa

I just had a stopover there and had a great time! No homeless people badgered me and everyone was so nice. The food was great. And, believe it or not, the weather was nicer than Hawaii! (It's been alternating between hot hot hot and rainy in Hawaii.) I'm looking forward to returning in the fall.