Anonymous wrote:We stayed at union square in what was the sir Francis drake but was recently rebranded as the grand. It’s a gorgeous historic hotel—rooms are small but was otherwise very cool and a good location walkable to China town. It’s a loong walk to the wharf but doable if your kids don’t mind. (My teens walked there but insisted on a Uber back with their dad while I walked back and stopped for pastries on the way.)

I love that hotel.

We stayed at union square in what was the sir Francis drake but was recently rebranded as the grand. It’s a gorgeous historic hotel—rooms are small but was otherwise very cool and a good location walkable to China town. It’s a loong walk to the wharf but doable if your kids don’t mind. (My teens walked there but insisted on a Uber back with their dad while I walked back and stopped for pastries on the way.)

Anonymous wrote:We are in SF for 3 days and planning to do many 'tourist' type activities (Alcatraz, Wharf, Golden Gate etc). Where is a good place to stay in a safe area that will give us a sense of the city and is walking distance to restaurants etc? We haven't been to SF before.

Thank you!

We stayed at the Orchard Garden Hotel in SF about 10 years ago. As I recall, the rate was surprisingly low, esp. compared to the national brands. It was lovely and in a nice area of the city. We did all those things you mentioned. We did not have a car. I have no idea what that area is like now.

Recommendation came from DCUM.

https://www.theorchardgardenhotel.com/

I like staying in the Hilton Financial District, which is either in or on the edge of Chinatown. Lots of great places to eat, either in Chinatown or elsewhere, an easy walk to the Ferry Building, and not too far from Fisherman's Wharf.

I have contemplated a trip to SF but am concerned about the brazen crime, like the family that was forces into and held at gun point and robbed in their home during broad daylight in a busy area. Also saw video recently of a woman being dragged in a parking garage, attempted kidnapping maybe. Have seen numerous articles of daylight street robberies at gunpoint, even in tourist areas. So I’m surprised that people here are recommending the city right now.

Is it safe right now to walk around and do the tourist stuff? Are the street cars safe to ride?

We stayed at the Palace Hotel over the summer. The hotel itself was great, and really close to a trolley stop, and not too far of a walk to a cable car stop. We had an absolutely wonderful trip.

Anonymous wrote:We just left San Francisco after a 4 day stay. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf. They valet your car, and we didn’t use it while there—just walked everywhere. Saw plenty of homeless people and drug use, but no crime. It felt perfectly safe. We have also stayed in Union Square, and I agree that’s a good location as well.

Drug use is a crime.

Anonymous wrote:Stay near Union Square -- central to everything and nicer than Fisherman's Wharf area. SF is very walkable and my tweens also enjoyed catching the cable cars.

Came here to say this. We stayed at a Marriott (there are several) and it was a great location at the end of the street car stop. It was just a great trip with teen/tweens. Don't forget the kids' sweat jackets!

We just left San Francisco after a 4 day stay. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf. They valet your car, and we didn’t use it while there—just walked everywhere. Saw plenty of homeless people and drug use, but no crime. It felt perfectly safe. We have also stayed in Union Square, and I agree that’s a good location as well.

Stay near Union Square -- central to everything and nicer than Fisherman's Wharf area. SF is very walkable and my tweens also enjoyed catching the cable cars.

Crime isn’t great but it isn’t that bad. Also you don’t need a car if you are staying in the city.

Four Seasons or St Regis. They have valet and private parking.

I wouldn't do SF right now. Our friends had their car broken into and everything stolen out of it. Just not safe. I'd leave and go explore the surrounding areas.

I’m sorry, but my family and I were just there and we did NOT stay in SF. We rented a car w/CA tags, garaged and it STILL got broken into near the Embarcedero.

We stayed at Rosewood Sand Hlll and drove everywhere. In
SF, My teens only wanted to see Alcatraz. They joked about crime and we ended up being robbed. We drove to Santa Cruz one day, Big Sur and redwoods, Stanford and Stanford Mall, Din Tai Fung in Santa Clara, Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose, and up to Clif honey tasting near Napa (quite a drive, but fun).

Have a safe trip. It’s sad that we were so disgusted by SF, I know it wasn’t always like that.

We are in SF for 3 days and planning to do many 'tourist' type activities (Alcatraz, Wharf, Golden Gate etc). Where is a good place to stay in a safe area that will give us a sense of the city and is walking distance to restaurants etc? We haven't been to SF before.

Thank you!