Recent San Francisco Experiences

[Anonymous]

I have been to SF many times for work and vacation but haven't been in a few years. A few travel reports have given me pause about going with my kids. The reports make it seem like the street drugs etc. have really exploded in recent years. I've traveled and lived in DC, NY, Boston, Chicago, LA etc. so I"m not in the dark about the terrible inequities in urban areas. I am just wondering if SF is a family friendly destination right now.

[Anonymous]

Depends on your plans. If you stick to the touristy areas you'll be fine. It's no worse than DC or other cities.

[Anonymous]

OP, you know that there are kids who live in SF, and not just the poor kids who can't afford to live anywhere else. There are some really really wealthy folks who live there with kids. I'm sure they are just fine, and your kids would be too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you know that there are kids who live in SF, and not just the poor kids who can't afford to live anywhere else. There are some really really wealthy folks who live there with kids. I'm sure they are just fine, and your kids would be too.

Right and the extreme wealth in SF has also really driven up housing prices and led to a homelessness crisis

[Anonymous]

Be prepared to explain what junkies are and they may see them shooting on the sidewalks.

[Anonymous]

I love San Francisco but I would be hesitant to go now.

They have to clean up the homeless problem and deal with the health and safety issues like junkies shooting up on the streets and human feces everywhere

[Anonymous]

My mom took my 13 yo for a few days and neither of them mentioned those issues, fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I have no idea where these comments about street drug use and feces "everywhere" are coming from. The tone of the comments seem like they are coming from one person. They also seem like the nonsense "no go zones" statements that were coming out of Fox News last year about Paris and other European cities.

I know people who live there and others who visit periodically, and none of them have mentioned any of these issues. Could you find some awful things in a few places? Of course, just like any city (or even suburb or rural area!). But "everywhere"? That seems ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I was just there and it was fine.

[Anonymous]

Family vacations often in SF and surrounding area. Was there last 2 years ago. Noticeable uptick in street activities. Homelessness. Wandering 20 something’s. My then 13 year old noticed too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Family vacations often in SF and surrounding area. Was there last 2 years ago. Noticeable uptick in street activities. Homelessness. Wandering 20 something’s. My then 13 year old noticed too.

As long as they are not shooting up, why is that a problem. Maybe a good example for a 13 yr old to show them what can happen if you don't focus on your education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you know that there are kids who live in SF, and not just the poor kids who can't afford to live anywhere else. There are some really really wealthy folks who live there with kids. I'm sure they are just fine, and your kids would be too.

Right and the extreme wealth in SF has also really driven up housing prices and led to a homelessness crisis

There have always been homeless people in SF, and CA in general. That's not to say the housing crisis isn't making it worse, but homelessness in CA cities is not a new thing.

As people have posted, touristy areas are fine. As I stated, there are wealthy kids who live in SF right now, and I'm sure their parents wouldn't want them to be around homeless people shooting up so, I'm guessing they are able to keep their kids away from those areas. I'm sure tourists will have no problem staying away from those areas, too.

[Anonymous]

Went a couple months ago. Many needles visible and I saw a person convulsing. It has become ickier than it was 15 years ago, I think. Just kind of creepy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you know that there are kids who live in SF, and not just the poor kids who can't afford to live anywhere else. There are some really really wealthy folks who live there with kids. I'm sure they are just fine, and your kids would be too.

Right and the extreme wealth in SF has also really driven up housing prices and led to a homelessness crisis

There have always been homeless people in SF, and CA in general. That's not to say the housing crisis isn't making it worse, but homelessness in CA cities is not a new thing.

As people have posted, touristy areas are fine. As I stated, there are wealthy kids who live in SF right now, and I'm sure their parents wouldn't want them to be around homeless people shooting up so, I'm guessing they are able to keep their kids away from those areas. I'm sure tourists will have no problem staying away from those areas, too.

What weird fantasy world do you live in? One with hermetically sealed gates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I have no idea where these comments about street drug use and feces "everywhere" are coming from. The tone of the comments seem like they are coming from one person. They also seem like the nonsense "no go zones" statements that were coming out of Fox News last year about Paris and other European cities.

I know people who live there and others who visit periodically, and none of them have mentioned any of these issues. Could you find some awful things in a few places? Of course, just like any city (or even suburb or rural area!). But "everywhere"? That seems ridiculous.

Um, uh, they are coming from credible local news reports. And the mayor’s $12.8 million clean up the feces plan.