Discussion
It's not often I start a topic, in fact I reckon I've only started about 3 or 4 in the 5 years or so I've been here, as the search function generally covers most things I want to know. However, this particular subject seems to be lacking the detail I need, so here goes:
We're currently planning a bit of a trip from San Francisco to Vegas in Sept/Oct time, the plan being to fly to SF (from LHR), spend a couple of days there then pick up an RV and head out, doing the old Monument Valley/Grand Canyon/Death Valley/ Bryce/ etc, etc route (we love the RV thing, before anyone suggests a mustang and hotels!
).
What I'd like to know though, is what SF itself is like. There's a lot of fairly negative stuff on-line, complaining/warning about 'druggies', dealers, homeless people and the seedy and/or dangerous nature of the streets.
We were intending to get a hotel for the first couple of nights, probably somewhere near the Civic Centre or Financial District (as there are hotels here where the RV company does a complimentary pick up from), roughly around the mid to top end of Market (street?), so not too far from Fisherman's Wharf etc.
I'm inclined not to take the somewhat hysterical comments about the nature of the area to seriously, as in my experience this sort of comment tends to come from the sort of people who complain for the sake of complaining.
Just for the record, I spent 9 weeks in Vancouver a couple of years ago (working), where they have a very liberal attitude to drug users, and there were areas there where lots of people were living on the street. It wasn't particularly dangerous, although one of my colleagues was quite hysterical about the whole thing.
However, as tourists, we will probably stand out, and I don't particularly want to get into any awkward situations.
Has anyone who lives in the real world actually been? Is it any worse than say London, New York, Paris?
Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels, and things to see or do while we're there for a couple of days? It seems from looking around that budget hotels seem to cost in the region of £130 to £150 per night.
Cheers,
We're currently planning a bit of a trip from San Francisco to Vegas in Sept/Oct time, the plan being to fly to SF (from LHR), spend a couple of days there then pick up an RV and head out, doing the old Monument Valley/Grand Canyon/Death Valley/ Bryce/ etc, etc route (we love the RV thing, before anyone suggests a mustang and hotels!
).What I'd like to know though, is what SF itself is like. There's a lot of fairly negative stuff on-line, complaining/warning about 'druggies', dealers, homeless people and the seedy and/or dangerous nature of the streets.
We were intending to get a hotel for the first couple of nights, probably somewhere near the Civic Centre or Financial District (as there are hotels here where the RV company does a complimentary pick up from), roughly around the mid to top end of Market (street?), so not too far from Fisherman's Wharf etc.
I'm inclined not to take the somewhat hysterical comments about the nature of the area to seriously, as in my experience this sort of comment tends to come from the sort of people who complain for the sake of complaining.
Just for the record, I spent 9 weeks in Vancouver a couple of years ago (working), where they have a very liberal attitude to drug users, and there were areas there where lots of people were living on the street. It wasn't particularly dangerous, although one of my colleagues was quite hysterical about the whole thing.
However, as tourists, we will probably stand out, and I don't particularly want to get into any awkward situations.
Has anyone who lives in the real world actually been? Is it any worse than say London, New York, Paris?
Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels, and things to see or do while we're there for a couple of days? It seems from looking around that budget hotels seem to cost in the region of £130 to £150 per night.
Cheers,
Hi
I am surprised that people have said such negative things about SF. We spent five nights there last September as part of our honeymoon. We stayed in union square, so probably not appropriate for an RV. We can't remember noticing any druggies, and very few homeless people if any...my wife is in the police so it's definitely something that we would notice. We did notice homeless people in Vegas, but nothing intimidating.
We saw a lot of the city and have only good things to say. We hired bikes for a day to cycle round the city, it's a great way to see it. Cycling through the golden gate park, along the golden gate bridge and into Sausalito across the water is a great day out if you enjoy cycling.
We did a trip to Alcatraz combined with a bus tour of the city. And spent time walking around fishermans wharf. 4 days was just about right for seeing everything with time to spare. Feel free to message me if you want any more detailed info! We can suggest some stuff for Vegas aswell.
If you're staying on market street you should be on the tram line, make sure you try it, it's a good laugh!
Adam
I am surprised that people have said such negative things about SF. We spent five nights there last September as part of our honeymoon. We stayed in union square, so probably not appropriate for an RV. We can't remember noticing any druggies, and very few homeless people if any...my wife is in the police so it's definitely something that we would notice. We did notice homeless people in Vegas, but nothing intimidating.
We saw a lot of the city and have only good things to say. We hired bikes for a day to cycle round the city, it's a great way to see it. Cycling through the golden gate park, along the golden gate bridge and into Sausalito across the water is a great day out if you enjoy cycling.
We did a trip to Alcatraz combined with a bus tour of the city. And spent time walking around fishermans wharf. 4 days was just about right for seeing everything with time to spare. Feel free to message me if you want any more detailed info! We can suggest some stuff for Vegas aswell.
If you're staying on market street you should be on the tram line, make sure you try it, it's a good laugh!
Adam
I've never had any problems in San Francisco and have always felt safe day and very late night/early morning.
You will see beggars and the like but you shouldn't get any trouble from them.
When I was there last year I stayed at the Handlery Hotel which was OK and cheap enough. It is in a good central location.
I've also stayed in the Nob Hill Motor Inn which was also fine and is round the corner from a great steak house.
Good areas for nights out (for me) were North Beach and Fillmore Street.
Haight Ashbury can feel quite dodgy at times.
Fishermans Wharf is a bit like Blackpool for me and I'd avoid it if at all possible.
If you get on a tram on some of the tourist routes, getting off before the route end will mean you are unlikely to get back on one due to them being full.
Try to go north of SF and see some of Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Point Reyes etc.
Napa is great, if you like wine. I have a friend in Fairfax who took us on a tour of some wineries including Rubicon. The food and wine is excellent.
I've been to the other places on your trip a few times as have others on here, so if you want any more tips let me know.
You will see beggars and the like but you shouldn't get any trouble from them.
When I was there last year I stayed at the Handlery Hotel which was OK and cheap enough. It is in a good central location.
I've also stayed in the Nob Hill Motor Inn which was also fine and is round the corner from a great steak house.
Good areas for nights out (for me) were North Beach and Fillmore Street.
Haight Ashbury can feel quite dodgy at times.
Fishermans Wharf is a bit like Blackpool for me and I'd avoid it if at all possible.
If you get on a tram on some of the tourist routes, getting off before the route end will mean you are unlikely to get back on one due to them being full.
Try to go north of SF and see some of Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Point Reyes etc.
Napa is great, if you like wine. I have a friend in Fairfax who took us on a tour of some wineries including Rubicon. The food and wine is excellent.
I've been to the other places on your trip a few times as have others on here, so if you want any more tips let me know.
I have seen homeless and have been on buses where pot was being openly passed around etc. Yes perhaps there are some places that stretch the comfort level a little but certainly no worse than any city, and the homelessness is far less/less concentrated than a certain area of Vancouver. At most in a few places we felt the need to be more aware of ourselves and surroundings but not in such danger that we needed to GTFOOT. To be honest we have had more direct problems with drunkenness than anything else, when a group of youths (old git mode) were giving an F-train driver grief, then he shut the whole tram down and told us all to get the next one when one of them threw up.
We quite often stay on market about half way between Union SQ and Ferry. Its worth noting that the financial district is like many cities and pretty dead at night although there are people around in small numbers as there are a few hotels in the area. But that area of market is ideal for trams and cable cars and china town. you can take a nice loop on the cable car to fisherman's wharf area and then get the F train (tram) back. We have done this loop in the middle of Jan at 9-11 pm stopping to take night photography at Lombard and and around the back of ferry (read fairly quiet time of year and night, expensive camera equipment etc) with no issues.
Go enjoy, if you were ok in Vancouver you will be comfortable in San Francisco.
We quite often stay on market about half way between Union SQ and Ferry. Its worth noting that the financial district is like many cities and pretty dead at night although there are people around in small numbers as there are a few hotels in the area. But that area of market is ideal for trams and cable cars and china town. you can take a nice loop on the cable car to fisherman's wharf area and then get the F train (tram) back. We have done this loop in the middle of Jan at 9-11 pm stopping to take night photography at Lombard and and around the back of ferry (read fairly quiet time of year and night, expensive camera equipment etc) with no issues.
Go enjoy, if you were ok in Vancouver you will be comfortable in San Francisco.
I'll be there the same time doing the same thing in the same vehicle! Are you following me?
Everyone i've spoken to says 2-3 days in SF itself is plenty, if you plan to go elsewhere then you'll need a car as the public transport only stretches so far.
We're staying across the Bay at Marin Park RV Park which is only a short ferry ride away from the city. The only thing we're booking is a trip to Alcatraz, the rest we'll play by ear.
For sightseeing, this seems like a blast http://www.gocartours.com/
We're then heading to Vegas via the Sequoia National forest.
Keep an eye out, i'll be attaching a large PH smilie to the back of the RV
Everyone i've spoken to says 2-3 days in SF itself is plenty, if you plan to go elsewhere then you'll need a car as the public transport only stretches so far.
We're staying across the Bay at Marin Park RV Park which is only a short ferry ride away from the city. The only thing we're booking is a trip to Alcatraz, the rest we'll play by ear.
For sightseeing, this seems like a blast http://www.gocartours.com/
We're then heading to Vegas via the Sequoia National forest.
Keep an eye out, i'll be attaching a large PH smilie to the back of the RV
San Francisco is my favourite US city.
I don't have kids so can go off-peak. September is a great time to go & the weather is roughly the same as the UK.
The city was so clean & had such a relaxing vibe in comparison to New York or Miami.
Golden Gate park is essential, as is Alcatraz (surprisingly good headphone tour) and Chinatown has some stunning restaurants. Fisherman's wharf is another tourist trap, but it's still well worth seeing. Hmmm clam chowder in a crusty roll...
I'm going again this September for a week.
Can't wait
I don't have kids so can go off-peak. September is a great time to go & the weather is roughly the same as the UK.
The city was so clean & had such a relaxing vibe in comparison to New York or Miami.
Golden Gate park is essential, as is Alcatraz (surprisingly good headphone tour) and Chinatown has some stunning restaurants. Fisherman's wharf is another tourist trap, but it's still well worth seeing. Hmmm clam chowder in a crusty roll...
I'm going again this September for a week.
Can't wait
There are certain streets / areas that are perhaps best avoided. 6th St is one of them - one of the few locations I've actually been apprehensive of being around during the day, never mind at night. Nothing happened mind you, just a 'feeling'. The Tenderloin as an area has a reputation too - plenty of drug casualties around there.
But on the whole, it's a lovely place.
But on the whole, it's a lovely place.
as for what to do on the road, I'm going to assume you know about the big things so will tell you about some of the easily missed things in such a rich scenery area.
If your going through yosemite when you get the other side and if you have time take a look at the tufa formation on mono lake and if you still have time body ghost town is interesting.
Don't bother with the devils post piles in mammoth unless you have plenty of spare time, we went there many years ago and had to catch a shuttle in, a short hike, followed by "OK is that it" and then the return, felt we wasted a lot of time on that little detour we hadn't planned.
In Vegas, head up to fremont st to see the world biggest tv screen. its the canopy over 2 city blocks and they have shows on it at regular intervals throughout the evening. Some are better than others, the alien invasion was pretty cool but "god bless America" was a bit much!
In page get yourself to a slot canyon, either the main one antelope or i would recommend spending a bit more on the secret canyon tour if your into photography.
if you have time in page, make the walk out to horseshoe bend.
Not done this ourselves yet but if you are doing so many national parks you will probably be buying a annual pass. There are two spaces for an authorized signature on the back, if you only sign one of them there is apparently a good market for them on ebay
If your going through yosemite when you get the other side and if you have time take a look at the tufa formation on mono lake and if you still have time body ghost town is interesting.
Don't bother with the devils post piles in mammoth unless you have plenty of spare time, we went there many years ago and had to catch a shuttle in, a short hike, followed by "OK is that it" and then the return, felt we wasted a lot of time on that little detour we hadn't planned.
In Vegas, head up to fremont st to see the world biggest tv screen. its the canopy over 2 city blocks and they have shows on it at regular intervals throughout the evening. Some are better than others, the alien invasion was pretty cool but "god bless America" was a bit much!
In page get yourself to a slot canyon, either the main one antelope or i would recommend spending a bit more on the secret canyon tour if your into photography.
if you have time in page, make the walk out to horseshoe bend.
Not done this ourselves yet but if you are doing so many national parks you will probably be buying a annual pass. There are two spaces for an authorized signature on the back, if you only sign one of them there is apparently a good market for them on ebay
I did once see a tramp defecating in the street there. But then another one told me where I could get some free doughnuts, so it's all good. 
It's like any US city really; there are good bits and bad bits. Land values are sky high in SF itself so that has meant that it's pretty good really, but the homeless are quite a large problem.
The only thing I'd think about is that SF is quite a way from the national parks you've mentioned - You'll need to drive 3/4 of the way down to LA to get there without taking some narrow roads up over the mountains, and that'll be either a)Dull going along the Interstate or b)a chore going down the Pacific Coast Highway in an RV.
I know you said "don't get a Mustang" but if you haven't done the PCH yet it's as good a time as any; Book a nice hotel somewhere around Monterrey and then you can start out early in the morning when it's not too hot, and pick up an RV in LA in the afternoon. I doubt you'll get to the desert any slower that way but it'll be a hell of a lot more fun.
It's like any US city really; there are good bits and bad bits. Land values are sky high in SF itself so that has meant that it's pretty good really, but the homeless are quite a large problem.
The only thing I'd think about is that SF is quite a way from the national parks you've mentioned - You'll need to drive 3/4 of the way down to LA to get there without taking some narrow roads up over the mountains, and that'll be either a)Dull going along the Interstate or b)a chore going down the Pacific Coast Highway in an RV.
I know you said "don't get a Mustang" but if you haven't done the PCH yet it's as good a time as any; Book a nice hotel somewhere around Monterrey and then you can start out early in the morning when it's not too hot, and pick up an RV in LA in the afternoon. I doubt you'll get to the desert any slower that way but it'll be a hell of a lot more fun.
Thanks folks, some great suggestions there. We have an itinerary loosely planned now, for when we leave SF and hit the road, but nothing yet for the city itself (other than Alcatraz), so will look at the ideas you've all put forward more closely.
. We pick up the RV on 10th Sept, assuming the booking is confirmed, we're just waiting for that now.
. Still, we'll probably only venture out to jump on the tram/bus/taxi so it might not be an issue.
) motorbikes on the Great Ocean Road in Oz, in our motorhome. I enjoy driving big vehicles, and it can still be entertaining hustling them along twist roads. Also, as a rule we do cover some fairly large distances when on holiday, so 3-4 hours on the highway is a walk in the park.
Having said that though, it seems that the RV we've booked has a 6.8 litre V10 petrol engine, and tends to average around 6-8 mpg (US)
, so I don't think I'm going to be ragging it too much.
Nickyboy said:
I'll be there the same time doing the same thing in the same vehicle! Are you following me?
Keep an eye out, i'll be attaching a large PH smilie to the back of the RV
Yup, I'm your new stalkerKeep an eye out, i'll be attaching a large PH smilie to the back of the RV
. We pick up the RV on 10th Sept, assuming the booking is confirmed, we're just waiting for that now. bigandclever said:
There are certain streets / areas that are perhaps best avoided. 6th St is one of them - one of the few locations I've actually been apprehensive of being around during the day, never mind at night.
But on the whole, it's a lovely place.
Ah, we were looking at staying close to 6th But on the whole, it's a lovely place.
. Still, we'll probably only venture out to jump on the tram/bus/taxi so it might not be an issue. davepoth said:
.
The only thing I'd think about is that SF is quite a way from the national parks you've mentioned - You'll need to drive 3/4 of the way down to LA to get there without taking some narrow roads up over the mountains, and that'll be either a)Dull going along the Interstate or b)a chore going down the Pacific Coast Highway in an RV.
I know you said "don't get a Mustang" but if you haven't done the PCH yet it's as good a time as any; Book a nice hotel somewhere around Monterrey and then you can start out early in the morning when it's not too hot, and pick up an RV in LA in the afternoon. I doubt you'll get to the desert any slower that way but it'll be a hell of a lot more fun.
We might still consider that as an idea. However, we'll have fun even in the RV if we go down the PCH. I have fond memories of chasing down (and catching The only thing I'd think about is that SF is quite a way from the national parks you've mentioned - You'll need to drive 3/4 of the way down to LA to get there without taking some narrow roads up over the mountains, and that'll be either a)Dull going along the Interstate or b)a chore going down the Pacific Coast Highway in an RV.
I know you said "don't get a Mustang" but if you haven't done the PCH yet it's as good a time as any; Book a nice hotel somewhere around Monterrey and then you can start out early in the morning when it's not too hot, and pick up an RV in LA in the afternoon. I doubt you'll get to the desert any slower that way but it'll be a hell of a lot more fun.
) motorbikes on the Great Ocean Road in Oz, in our motorhome. I enjoy driving big vehicles, and it can still be entertaining hustling them along twist roads. Also, as a rule we do cover some fairly large distances when on holiday, so 3-4 hours on the highway is a walk in the park.Having said that though, it seems that the RV we've booked has a 6.8 litre V10 petrol engine, and tends to average around 6-8 mpg (US)
, so I don't think I'm going to be ragging it too much.I lived in SF for 5 yrs and although I have been back in the UK for a while now, have returned to the city many times. The city is like many others - it has its "interesting" parts, and yes, there is a homelessness issue in parts. However, if you keep yourself to yourself, don't give money to those asking for it and don't obviously seek out some of the more economically and socially challenged areas, you should not have any issues.
This also does not mean you should limit yourself to some of the more "touristy" and in, my opinion, sterile areas such as Fishermans Wharf - those who say 2/3 days is enough are actually missing a lot of the best areas, which tend to be the paths less travelled and more local in nature. Simply walking some of the cities neighbourhoods (i.e. Pacific Heights, Chrissy Fields, Cole Valley, Sunset) is also fascinating and will give you a sense of the character of a superb city.
If you also get a chance, drive 90 mins north to Point Reyes and the coastline there. Magnificent.
This also does not mean you should limit yourself to some of the more "touristy" and in, my opinion, sterile areas such as Fishermans Wharf - those who say 2/3 days is enough are actually missing a lot of the best areas, which tend to be the paths less travelled and more local in nature. Simply walking some of the cities neighbourhoods (i.e. Pacific Heights, Chrissy Fields, Cole Valley, Sunset) is also fascinating and will give you a sense of the character of a superb city.
If you also get a chance, drive 90 mins north to Point Reyes and the coastline there. Magnificent.
Super Slo Mo said:
bigandclever said:
There are certain streets / areas that are perhaps best avoided. 6th St is one of them - one of the few locations I've actually been apprehensive of being around during the day, never mind at night.
But on the whole, it's a lovely place.
Ah, we were looking at staying close to 6th But on the whole, it's a lovely place.
. Still, we'll probably only venture out to jump on the tram/bus/taxi so it might not be an issue. When you go to Alcatraz, when your audio tour ends make sure to walk out of the prison, go all round the island and clamber up the steps to the exercise yard. You can then sneak up to the door and put the heebeegeebies up anyone who peeks through the observation slot
Super Slo Mo said:
We might still consider that as an idea. However, we'll have fun even in the RV if we go down the PCH. I have fond memories of chasing down (and catching ) motorbikes on the Great Ocean Road in Oz, in our motorhome. I enjoy driving big vehicles, and it can still be entertaining hustling them along twist roads. Also, as a rule we do cover some fairly large distances when on holiday, so 3-4 hours on the highway is a walk in the park.
Having said that though, it seems that the RV we've booked has a 6.8 litre V10 petrol engine, and tends to average around 6-8 mpg (US), so I don't think I'm going to be ragging it too much.
We're picking this up in LA on the 29th Sept and driving up the PCH to San Fran) motorbikes on the Great Ocean Road in Oz, in our motorhome. I enjoy driving big vehicles, and it can still be entertaining hustling them along twist roads. Also, as a rule we do cover some fairly large distances when on holiday, so 3-4 hours on the highway is a walk in the park.Having said that though, it seems that the RV we've booked has a 6.8 litre V10 petrol engine, and tends to average around 6-8 mpg (US)
, so I don't think I'm going to be ragging it too much.
Last time i went we averaged 4mpg on one stint but that was over the mountains, they've got loads of torque but no power, 300bhpish IIRC which aint much for about 7 tons
Good thing is the price of fuel has dropped significantly, around $4 a gallon in Cali now
Nickyboy said:
We're picking this up in LA on the 29th Sept and driving up the PCH to San Fran
Last time i went we averaged 4mpg on one stint but that was over the mountains, they've got loads of torque but no power, 300bhpish IIRC which aint much for about 7 tons
Good thing is the price of fuel has dropped significantly, around $4 a gallon in Cali now
Looks similar to the one we've booked, although ours is a bit shorter I think. Probably overkill for 2 people, but the difference in price between one of these and a small(er) one isn't that much, and the on-board facilities look better (we might end up at the odd site without showers). I'll be fine with it, I used to drive an 18 tonner with around 220 bhp Last time i went we averaged 4mpg on one stint but that was over the mountains, they've got loads of torque but no power, 300bhpish IIRC which aint much for about 7 tons
Good thing is the price of fuel has dropped significantly, around $4 a gallon in Cali now
We hired a small camper in Canada a few years back, it was a nice thing, but I'm a bit big to get on well with a little camper, and ended up smacking my bonce on various cupboards etc. I got banished to the seats at the back, or outside eventually, other than when I was driving, of course.
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