For those coming to visit San Francisco, reports of rampant smash-and-grab thefts and increasing anti-Asian hate crimes may ring some alarm bells. However, as someone who currently lives in San Francisco, the city can be perfectly safe if you take the right precautions and know which neighborhoods to avoid. Here are some tips on how you can stay safe during your trip in San Francisco.
Avoid Walking Through These Neighborhoods
Whenever possible, avoid walking through the Tenderloin, Civic Center, and parts of SoMa/Downtown. These areas have a high concentration of crime, drug deals, and homelessness. Even the few blocks around these areas can seem a bit gritty, but you will be fine as long as you stay:
- East of Powell St.
- North of Post St.
- East of 5th St.
That isn’t to say that you should completely avoid the Tenderloin and Civic Center area. There are a lot of great restaurants and bars in the Tenderloin, as well as the Asian Art Museum and concert venues/theaters in the Civic Center. I would highly recommend that you take an Uber to these destinations. If you’re leaving the Civic Center area after a concert, the larger crowds coming out of the theater make it safe enough for you to walk to a BART station (Civic or Powell) or to walk a few blocks northeast up Market Street to call an Uber where it’s less crowded.
Besides the Tenderloin, Civic Center, and Soma, parts of the Mission can also be somewhat gritty and can drastically differ block by block. If you’re easily unsettled or uncomfortable with grittiness and homelessness, I recommend that you take an Uber/Lyft to the Mission, versus taking BART and walking around the neighborhood.
Don’t Bring a Car
If possible, don’t bring your car to San Francisco. Besides the difficult driving situation (crazy hills and one-way streets) and parking, one of the most common petty crimes to happen in the city are car break-ins. Car break-ins are up 735% (May 2021 vs. May 2020) as tourism picks back up in SF. These criminals specifically target tourist-heavy areas like Pier 39, Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Park, and Dolores Park because tourists are more likely to leave valuables in their cars. Tourist cars are also easily found in other neighborhoods because rental cars are easily identifiable and out-of-state license plates make them stand out.
If your car ends up being broken into, it’s highly unlikely that you will be able to get your belongings back even if you report it to the police. These break-ins and theft are so common that police often don’t make the effort to investigate. Unless a good Samaritan ends up finding your discarded belongings in the street and brings them to the police, you probably won’t be able to get them back.
If you drove to San Francisco…
Leave your car at your hotel’s parking garage during the duration of your trip and utilize other methods of transport to get around the city. It will give you a peace of mind, knowing that your car won’t be broken into and you can enjoy your stay in SF stress-free. The only time I’d recommend driving is if you’re visiting other parts of the Bay Area outside of San Francisco – such as Napa, Muir Woods, or the Marin Headlands.
If You Have to Bring a Car, Don’t Leave Anything Inside
If you do bring your car to San Francisco and prefer to drive around the city, make sure you leave absolutely nothing inside your car. A lot of tourists leave their luggage in their cars and often end up losing their passports and other valuables. Leave all valuables in your hotel room or carry them with you. Never, ever leave anything in your car.
If you have luggage, but already checked out of your hotel or haven’t checked in yet, you can store your luggage using any of the following storage services:
Practice Common Sense
Like any popular tourist destination, practice common sense:
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Don’t be absorbed in your phone.
- Don’t put your phone or wallet in your back pocket.
- If you see someone who is mentally unwell and violent, cross the street and avoid confrontation.
- Ignore people who try to sell you anything on the street (e.g. bracelets) or try to talk to you about their religion (e.g. Falun Gong followers, fake Buddhist monks).
Follow the above tips and you’ll be sure to have a safe, enjoyable getaway in San Francisco!
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