San Francisco. What’s it like?
Discussion
I’ve been three times but the most recent was 20 years ago and would like to go again as I absolutely loved it.
I’m keen to know what it’s like now as all I seem to see is that it’s a cross between the zombie apocalypse and Manhattan in “Escape from New York” ie totally crime ridden with all the good stuff left to rot.
I don’t mind “Edgy” in fact I like it but don’t want to be pestered on every corner by HOBOs and stepping over tramps in Union Square.
I like to explore and walk a lot and San Fran was great for that.
Recent visitors. How would I find it now?
Thanks.
I’m keen to know what it’s like now as all I seem to see is that it’s a cross between the zombie apocalypse and Manhattan in “Escape from New York” ie totally crime ridden with all the good stuff left to rot.
I don’t mind “Edgy” in fact I like it but don’t want to be pestered on every corner by HOBOs and stepping over tramps in Union Square.
I like to explore and walk a lot and San Fran was great for that.
Recent visitors. How would I find it now?
Thanks.
I first went 20 years ago and loved it. I was back just prior to covid and was so disappointed by how much it had changed. I was uncomfortable walking around some areas. We still had a good time, but the homeless/drug/mental health situation was horrendous.
I'd not be in a hurry to go back.
I'd not be in a hurry to go back.
Was there four years ago and enjoyed it. Cycled over the bridge from the centre. Visited Alcatraz and had some decent food.
But they have a massive homeless and drugs problem which from what I’ve heard has got worse. Hotel reception put a big X on a map and said don’t go there especially at night. Walked nearby during the day and loads of zombie like people.
I’d go again but you just need to be wary of certain areas.
But they have a massive homeless and drugs problem which from what I’ve heard has got worse. Hotel reception put a big X on a map and said don’t go there especially at night. Walked nearby during the day and loads of zombie like people.
I’d go again but you just need to be wary of certain areas.
I loved San Fran.
I work for a West Coast company so would often tack a weekend on and stay over.
5 years ago it felt different, a lot more homeless, drug taking in union square ( them not me), it has gone down hill massively.
A colleague was back late last year and said a lot of the places have just never reopen.
If you go back with visions of 20 years ago, you’ll be sadly disappointed.
I work for a West Coast company so would often tack a weekend on and stay over.
5 years ago it felt different, a lot more homeless, drug taking in union square ( them not me), it has gone down hill massively.
A colleague was back late last year and said a lot of the places have just never reopen.
If you go back with visions of 20 years ago, you’ll be sadly disappointed.
I was there last week. We stayed in Union Square and they were everywhere! These aren’t your typical homeless people, but addicts and people in serious mental crisis. I will say though that police presence is high, and as such none of them bothered us.
As per the previous poster they’re either shuffling around like zombies mumbling to themselves or just passed out on the sidewalks! The only hassle we had was someone screaming as us while we were in the taxi from the airport while at a red light.
I understand they are mostly centred around The Tenderloin (next to Union Square) and south of Market Street. We walked Chinatown, Fisherman’s wharf, Embacadero and the Ferry Building and there were very few in those areas.
As per the previous poster they’re either shuffling around like zombies mumbling to themselves or just passed out on the sidewalks! The only hassle we had was someone screaming as us while we were in the taxi from the airport while at a red light.
I understand they are mostly centred around The Tenderloin (next to Union Square) and south of Market Street. We walked Chinatown, Fisherman’s wharf, Embacadero and the Ferry Building and there were very few in those areas.
Edited by philwhite on Sunday 7th May 09:30
I'm curious what folks liked about it.
Mate was working out there (he lived in black hawk and commuted in) so spent a week with him, before heading off to moto gp at leguna seca and then yosemite.
I was utterly underwhelmed by the place. Alcatraz was interesting, but the rest of it just offered nothing special. I enjoy visiting the US so it's not a culture not gelling thing... Hell I even enjoyed florida.
Mate was working out there (he lived in black hawk and commuted in) so spent a week with him, before heading off to moto gp at leguna seca and then yosemite.
I was utterly underwhelmed by the place. Alcatraz was interesting, but the rest of it just offered nothing special. I enjoy visiting the US so it's not a culture not gelling thing... Hell I even enjoyed florida.
Edited by TGCOTF-dewey on Sunday 7th May 09:32
I went in 2018 and echo a lot of the comments above.
We too were told to avoid certain areas due to drugs etc. And felt a little uncomfortable when we left the tourist parts. We were on a bus tour and the guide told us they do poo patrol on the streets around the rough areas as people just go on the streets! We also passed an area that's well known for thefts from cars and straight away we saw a car with a smashed window.
The tourist parts are still great, it's just the vast difference between the rich and the poor that's hard to believe. One minute your passing multi million pound homes that the owners haven't even lived in for years and then your passing someone living out of a shopping trolley.
One thing I'll never forget was when I was waiting for my other half outside a shop and it wasn't the best area, everyone was smoking cannabis, I'm sure I was getting high just stood there! Anyway I see a guy walking down the street completely naked bar a little willy warmer and man bag! No one else seemed to notice him or was too high to care!
We too were told to avoid certain areas due to drugs etc. And felt a little uncomfortable when we left the tourist parts. We were on a bus tour and the guide told us they do poo patrol on the streets around the rough areas as people just go on the streets! We also passed an area that's well known for thefts from cars and straight away we saw a car with a smashed window.
The tourist parts are still great, it's just the vast difference between the rich and the poor that's hard to believe. One minute your passing multi million pound homes that the owners haven't even lived in for years and then your passing someone living out of a shopping trolley.
One thing I'll never forget was when I was waiting for my other half outside a shop and it wasn't the best area, everyone was smoking cannabis, I'm sure I was getting high just stood there! Anyway I see a guy walking down the street completely naked bar a little willy warmer and man bag! No one else seemed to notice him or was too high to care!
If you want a West coast vibe then Seattle and Portland are worth a visit, as is Vancouver. If you want California then head down to Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and San Diego. LA is a bit crap but some of beach communities can be nice (e.g. Huntingdon)
I went there in February, for work. I also went there about twenty years ago. Honestly, it's fallen a long way. Crazy people everywhere (although not particularly aggressive.) A lot of it feels quite shabby. The conference center environs were still ok, as was Chinatown and the piers. But I didn't have to wander very far before thinking that I should probably unwander, as it were.
I spoke to one chap who lived there or a while and moved back to Europe recently - he said that COVID really screwed it up and it already wasn't great in 2019.
I spoke to one chap who lived there or a while and moved back to Europe recently - he said that COVID really screwed it up and it already wasn't great in 2019.
There was an article about the closure of Nordstrom in the Westfield center (premium shopping mall in downtowin)
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/westfield-m...
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/westfield-m...
EliseNick said:
I went there in February, for work. I also went there about twenty years ago. Honestly, it's fallen a long way. Crazy people everywhere (although not particularly aggressive.) A lot of it feels quite shabby. The conference center environs were still ok, as was Chinatown and the piers. But I didn't have to wander very far before thinking that I should probably unwander, as it were.
I spoke to one chap who lived there or a while and moved back to Europe recently - he said that COVID really screwed it up and it already wasn't great in 2019.
A lot of tech talent is also leaving and moving to Texas with the realization that people can sell their small house and buy a near mansion in Texas, without a mortgage while having the same job. (as the companies are also moving there)I spoke to one chap who lived there or a while and moved back to Europe recently - he said that COVID really screwed it up and it already wasn't great in 2019.
vaud said:
EliseNick said:
I went there in February, for work. I also went there about twenty years ago. Honestly, it's fallen a long way. Crazy people everywhere (although not particularly aggressive.) A lot of it feels quite shabby. The conference center environs were still ok, as was Chinatown and the piers. But I didn't have to wander very far before thinking that I should probably unwander, as it were.
I spoke to one chap who lived there or a while and moved back to Europe recently - he said that COVID really screwed it up and it already wasn't great in 2019.
A lot of tech talent is also leaving and moving to Texas with the realization that people could sell their small house and buy a near mansion in Texas, without a mortgage while having the same job. (as the companies are also moving there)I spoke to one chap who lived there or a while and moved back to Europe recently - he said that COVID really screwed it up and it already wasn't great in 2019.
Thanks for the replies.
As expected it sounds a lot scruffier and rougher but I’ve not heard enough to put me off.
I remember it was so easy to walk from one neighbourhood to another and everywhere you turned was a view or building I’d seen in a movie.
I also drove down the PCH to Big Sur via 18mile drive and Carmel which was fantastic.
I just hope my spectacles aren’t too rise tinted.
As expected it sounds a lot scruffier and rougher but I’ve not heard enough to put me off.
I remember it was so easy to walk from one neighbourhood to another and everywhere you turned was a view or building I’d seen in a movie.
I also drove down the PCH to Big Sur via 18mile drive and Carmel which was fantastic.
I just hope my spectacles aren’t too rise tinted.
Thankyou4calling said:
Thanks for the replies.
I also drove down the PCH to Big Sur via 18mile drive and Carmel which was fantastic.
I just hope my spectacles aren’t too rise tinted.
Think I last did this in 16 or 17 and it was wonderful back then, and doesn't seem to have suffered nearly as much as SF.I also drove down the PCH to Big Sur via 18mile drive and Carmel which was fantastic.
I just hope my spectacles aren’t too rise tinted.
I think PCH is fully reopened again now - but there was a while it was closed following bridge issues and fires.
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