Just found out that for business trip to San Francisco, they are booking us into the W Hotel. Husband will be in meetings during the day, I will be touring around on my own. Hotel looks FANTASTIC, but I know zero about the city. I know from hotels in Dallas/Houston, chic hotel does not necessarily mean it's in the safest neighborhood. Is it wise for me to be walking in that neighborhood alone during the day, and is it safe enough for my husband and I to walk at night to nearby restaurants? I know this sounds cautious, but we have had a bad experience once and I figure since I'll be alone this time, better safe then sorry.

If it helps, this is how they describe the location:
"181 Third Street
Set in the heart of downtown, W is adjacent to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and directly across from Moscone Convention Center. We're also only five blocks from Union Square "

And on that note, if it isn't, anyone know the mileage charge for cabs in the city?

Thw W Hotel is basically in a neighborhood called SoMA (South of Market). During the day just be aware fo your surroundings. At night I probabbly would not venture too far south of there as it gets rather narginal. Same is true for Union Square area. The local news actually did a series of reports on the situation we are having in SF with the street people. Unfortunately the problem seems to be getting worse, and not better.

Some other areas of SF that are nicer to stay incluse the Marina and Cow Hollow.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/assi...homeless3.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...2/BU133124.DTL

I just stayed there (maybe a week and a half ago) and enjoyed it very much. It was my second visit (for work) and I will likely return again this month. While I agree that venturing too far on foot at night might be "iffy", I have done it, walked with a girlfriend to restaurants on the waterfront without any incident. Did see some homeless people a few blocks from the hotel, but they didn't bother us. Not like an eventful stay in Union Square where a homeless woman ran down the street slapping people in the face!

I'd recommend you take a cab if possible at night. It wouldn't be more than a few dollars at most.

I live in San Francisco and I feel safe walking around there day and night.

Sorry, I should mention that I am a woman. Walking to Union Square, San Francisco Center, Market St. Etc are all very safe walks. You can catch the 15 bus right by your hotel or a two block walk to the F streetcar to go to the Wharf. Be sure to have a drink at XYZ in your hotel--great bar for people watching.

You're going to have a great time. This neighborhood is very busy during the day and just as safe as any other at night. I wouldn't worry about it at all. You will be able to walk pretty much everywhere you want to go but you might feel more comfortable taking a cab at night if you are alone.

Neighborhood is perfectly fine during the day and as previous poster stated just as safe as any city neighborhood at night. It is certainly safe enough to walk to restaurants at night such as LuLu's or the Fifth Floor with your husband.

The hotel is right next to the Convention Center, which is huge. The Yerba Buena Gardens are right next to that. Market Street is only 3 blocks north. The area around the W is busy with pedestrian traffic and is very safe IMO. You don't want to venture south of the W too far. North and northwest are fine.

Thanks everyone...I was already excited about the trip to SF and wine country, but after seeing the hotel they're putting us in, I did mental cartwheels Your responses make me even happier...can't wait!

I would have to agree that South of Market is not the best area of SF. The W Hotel itself is nice, but the surroundings leave little to be desired.

Don't forget the MOMA next door. Love that property and location. Very close to shopping and totally safe and almost too crowded during the day. I have walked alone during the day in that area -- no different than any other city. You will have no occasion to go to the other areas of the South of Market district. That's the area of concern. There is nothing to do there anyway.

Brany,
Do you like French food? One of my favorite S.F. restaurants is on Fourth Street, close to where you are staying. The name of the place is Fringale. I have dinner at least four times a year there and have never been disappointed -have the roast lamb, and do not skip dessert. The management of Fringale also runs another restaurant called Piperade, which emphasizes Basque cooking. It's wonderful, but since it's in the Levi Plaza area, you would definitely need a cab (about a 10-minute ride).