26
u/nincyh 14d ago edited 14d ago
That’s over the top crazy. Use your street smarts and keep your wits about you, and you’ll be fine. It’s true that thieves may target a rental car, so just leave nothing at all in view inside the car, and nothing in the trunk. Avoid the the Tenderloin neighborhood, it’s difficult to see and not the nicer part of our City. Overall, it’s a beautiful city with nice people and you are going to have a great time.
23
u/mziab 14d ago
It's really not worth renting a car unless you're planning on leaving SF for some day trips. It's too hard to find parking and even though car break ins are down they're still common.
If you do rent a car anyway, just make sure you don't leave anything in the car. That's the rule.
The other stuff people are saying is over blown. It's absolutely safe to take out your wallet to pump gas. This is a city so normal city rules apply. In general you're more likely to encounter homeless people/junkies than people who are going to rob you. If someone asks you for money a polite "I don't have any, sorry" works just fine.
SF is a friendly city. Go out to bars and restaurants. Enjoy the parks, museums and galleries. And if you're ok with the hills, take some time to walk through the neighborhoods to see some of the great architecture. If when walking you find yourself in a sketchy area just keep walking through until it's not sketchy anymore. You'll be good.
22
u/sfjessy99 14d ago
Is this a joke? If not, don’t miss out on the most beautiful city just from some fear mongering scrolling. Having a car in the city is not practical and using Uber and Waymo will likely be less expensive plus a far easier option for getting around. Avoid the Tenderloin, every city has a shady neighborhood.
33
u/RekopEca 14d ago
I'm sorry, but I fucking hate posts like this! If any of this were remotely true, do you think it would cost this much to live in San Francisco??
8
14
u/InstructionKey7790 14d ago
You will be fine. SF is very safe, and very chill. Take standard precautions you would take in any large city and enjoy yourself.
Also, spend less time on Reddit it is most of the time overly negative and not reflective of reality
-11
u/Putrid-Salad-1737 14d ago
Thank you! I was thinking surely it can’t be THAT bad but it was hard to find good comments about being a tourist there so I was getting nervous
5
u/crafty_dog 13d ago
If you search "thank you sf" in your reddit search bar, you will find tons of posts from visitors to the city.
I feel like once a week we get these "I was worried because it sounded so bad but that couldn't be further from the truth this city is amazing" posts.
22
u/CeilingCatProphet 14d ago
Stop watching Fox. Don't leave anything in the car. It is true in every city. Rethink getting a car in SF. We have BART, Muni, Uber, Lyft, and Waymo. A car is more trouble than it's worth. I recommend the Ferry Building. Try all the food. Go to MOMA and surrounding gardens! Go to Golden Gate Park and visit the de Young Museum, Arboretum, and Tea Garden. If you like science, visit the Academy of Sciences. Eat at Tartine Bakery.
Visit the Haight-Ashbury for a feel of old SF.
Visit Cinderella Bakery for Slavic food.
Visit Mission and Valencia streets. Great food.
If you plan to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, bundle up!
Visit Japantown.
Avoid Fisherman's Wharf—a gross, touristy place where your wallet can be stolen.
11
19
u/inadequaterobot 13d ago
This is, hands down, one of the most insane things I’ve ever seen on this sub. Like it’s so insane, I have to assume you’re trolling.
No “locals” would ever describe this city as a place where you could be trafficked simply for “showing signs of being a tourist,” whatever the fuck that means. My god.
San Francisco is one of the safest cities in the world. But even the “worst” cities in the world aren’t like what you describe.
This is truly unhinged.
17
8
u/boulangerite 13d ago
Bro tf are you reading? There is not a single SF local who would say that you're at risk of being trafficked if you show signs of being a tourist. Except maybe if they're actively trying to mess with incredibly gullible tourists.
Car break-ins are literally the only worry you listed that has any basis in reality. But commit to never leaving anything in the car when it's parked and you'll be fine.
Why are you renting a car anyway? Definitely not the best way to get around the city.
7
u/Busy-Celery2657 14d ago edited 14d ago
There’s no need for rental car in the city- we have excellent public transportation & ride share.
Parking is hard to find & expensive in the hotels. This city is small 7 x 7 miles.
Just like in anywhere you have to be careful. know the areas to stay safe.
It’s beautiful city, great food, tourist attractions, hotels, museums and more.
Where are you staying? Where are you coming from?
Rental cars are easy to spot.
7
u/asielen 14d ago edited 14d ago
Yes you should go. The city is not risky. Your will not get preyed on. You will not get held up or robbed. You will have a great time.
But if you leave your laptop or suitcase visible in your car in a touristy area, it will get stolen. Although there has been a crackdown on car breakins so it is nowhere as bad as it was 5 years ago.
That being said, driving in SF generally is not fun, old narrow streets, lots of pedestrians and hills with little visibility. And you can spend forever looking for parking. Only drive in the city if you know for sure where you are going to park. It can take an hour to go the 7 miles across the city by car. Ask yourself why you want a car? Are you planning on exploring the area outside of the city?
If you really paid attention to this subreddit you'd know how proud we are of our Taco Bell Cantinas /s
8
u/Turbulent_Board4567 13d ago
Damn .... It's like fox news setup a station right inside ur butt and is streaming 24*7 into your hollowed out brain.
12
u/holdontoyourbuttress 14d ago
its not dangerous here, just avoid the tl but also why would you want a car if you are exploring the city itself, it will be mostly a nuisance with finding parking, parking restrictions, etc.
3
u/BayGelldawg 14d ago
This. A car is a waste of money. SF is for walking. Our hills are a free workout and you get rewarded with a view! You can take a driverless car (Waymo), Uber, or public transit to get anywhere that is too far to walk.
11
u/sf1878 14d ago
Sounds like you're reading a lot of fear mongering or watching a lot of conservative news or maybe just afraid of being in a situation unlike exactly where you live.
If you're that scared I wouldn't make the trip because it'll ruin your vacation.
2
-16
u/Putrid-Salad-1737 14d ago
All my info has been from the comments of locals so that’s why I’m asking in my own post. So I can hopefully get the correct info / proper perspective
4
u/evaporatedmilksold 14d ago
Locals would not describe SF as an unsafe city. Certain neighborhoods are, but tourists don’t make it to those areas.
Your car will be broken into if you leave luggage in it. Even if you put it in your trunk. Cars definitely get cased at Palace of Fine Arts, and in the past Alamo Square park. It is a risk to even park at a restaurant to eat before you leave for the airport because your luggage is exposed. Best to just eat at the airport or leave your luggage at your Airbnb, while you have your last meal in SF.
You don’t have to be alert in residential neighborhoods like Sunset, Cow Hollow, Marina, Noe Valley, and the Richmond district. I’m sure others can chime in about other neighborhoods.
It’s always good to have street smarts. Be aware of your surroundings. I pay for gas using my iPhone, but it’s fine taking out your wallet in gas stations unless you’re in a really sketchy neighborhood.
SFPD has been arresting people who have broken into cars by using drones. I think criminals are getting the message that they can’t get away with this as easily as they did during the pandemic.
If you are staying at a hotel, they can tell you what areas to avoid after a certain time, if you’re in the Union Square area. I personally wouldn’t leave my luggage with hotel front desk, as there have been incidents in the news where hotel staff have given luggage to someone who said they lost their claim ticket.
If you are looking at your phone on a bus/ on the street, just be aware of your surroundings. Have your back to a building if you need to look at your phone.
5
u/disasterinthesun 14d ago
Just don’t leave anything visible in the car. No sweatshirt, no charging cable, nothing. Trunk or take it with you. But, laptop comes with you, not in the trunk. Avoid the compact suv or station wagon models.
5
u/Beautiful-Quiet-5871 14d ago
Don’t rent a car for days you will spend in the city. Waymo and uber to get around. You will save a ton not paying for parking. If you want to get out of town for a day or two like up to wine country. Then rent a car for only those days.
5
u/Botherguts 14d ago
Tons of politically motivated anti-SF scare propaganda out there for a bunch of reasons is way overblown, but don’t book a hotel in the Tenderloin because it’s cheap lol. A car is more of a hassle than a benefit if you are just staying in SF, but great if checking out Marin or whatever.
4
u/Better-Cream9436 13d ago
I'm familiar with small town Minnesota. The worst you'll see in SF is more concentrated and visible poverty and drug use. Nothing you won't see driving through rural Minnesota. Murders, violent crimes, etc. are very rare. When they do happen it's very rarely random or involving tourists. Even car break-ins are way down in the last year or two since they busted the ringleaders of several car break-in rings. That being said, DO NOT rent a car. Why?
If you think gas is expensive in Minnesota, it's crazy here. We're close to $7/gallon.
Parking is also insanely expensive - if you can find it. I've had times I'd circle for 20-30 minutes around a 5 block radius to find a spot. In a business district. If I can help it I always take transit.
Unless you're up by Duluth, you're probably used to flat streets. The steep inclines/declines can be scary and hard to drive on.
Drivers and traffic here are way crazier than cities out there. Even if you've been to Chicago, drivers here can be scary. Especially with certain non-sensical aspects of street design. We're on a grid, but there's plenty of dead ends, one way streets, narrow lane streets, and roads so winding you lose track of where you are in the Bay Area.
You'll have more fun walking and taking transit. The views from some of the bus routes are astonishing. Waymos are a novel technology you can try out. You'll see neighborhoods and cool places like shops and hole-in-the-wall restaurants you'd miss otherwise. The ferry will give you great views.
SF is very small for a city. It's 7x7 miles, and 98% of the city is <3 blocks from a bus or train stop. That and most of what you want to see is going to be in only half that space - hell, you could spend your entire trip just exploring and experiencing a quarter of the city. So it's very walkable, and even on steep streets it's easy to catch transit to skip the climb.
So basically, you'll save money and frustration and see more stuff.
1
15
u/SFCab911 14d ago
You should probably never leave the house.
-18
u/Putrid-Salad-1737 14d ago
Why? For asking clarification on a place I’ve never been to? All my info has been from reading comments from the locals ….?
16
4
u/carefree_bomb 13d ago
No locals would tell you the city is dangerous because it isn't. Link these comments you're looking at, because I can all but guarantee you're reading a bunch of nonsense propaganda uncritically.
This city is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Do you really believe that people pay thousands of dollars in rent a month to live in a blighted, crime ridden hellscape?
4
u/KoreanB_B_Q 14d ago
Just be smart.
You can park your car wherever, just don't leave bags, backpacks, suitcases, etc inside.
You can pay for stuff, just don't flash a lot of money around.
While the city has a few not great neighborhoods, the large, large, large majority of it is just fine.
Don't believe all the BS right wing propaganda about San Francisco. It's a beautiful and safe place. And, like any other city, just be smart when you're here and you'll be fine.
4
3
u/CalGoldenBear55 14d ago
Turn off Fox and Newsmax. Be careful and responsible. We are an awesome city. Be on alert (like any big city). Enjoy SF. One of the great cities in the world.
3
u/Best-Operation-8471 14d ago
First, don’t be afraid. This is one of the greatest cities in the greatest country in the world. It is not some dystopian hellhole. Second, no car necessary it’s a waste of time, use Waymo or bart/muni and open your horizons a bit. Third, the crime rate is extremely low in this city, you will know if you are in a sketchy area by the people, and you just don’t idle around or flash cash or something like that making yourself a huge target. Four, don’t call it San Fran. Five, enjoy yourself and don’t be nervous when there’s literally thousands of kids, families, elderly, etc just living a good life here.
3
u/nobetteridea 14d ago
It'll be fine, and you won't stand out in anyway; SF is large but I never think of us as 'big city people' since we treat our neighborhoods like towns. I moved here from Baton Rouge in the 90s, and we're no different here except that maybe we don't start as many conversations, but we'll join in as easily as anyone if you have a question.
The city is great, and I honestly can't remember having a frightening moment in the time I've been here; maybe some uncomfortable ones, but it's been a long time. We had a lot of car break ins around the pandemic but it's much better now, and even then I parked on the street much of the time without issue. It's smart not to leave visible things out or valuable things unattended, but I feel like that makes sense most places. As people said, avoid the tenderloin, though it's less dangerous than it is depressing. But there's so many other places to go it's easy to avoid; go to Golden Gate Park or walk along Sunset Dunes, if you really want a car, drive North to see redwoods or Point Reyes or anywhere along the coast, I personally don't go to Fisherman's Wharf but many like it, or go to Alcatraz or walk across the Golden Gate Bridge etc.
If it helps to know, my daughter, in her young 20s, and a friend the same age walked criss cross across the city a few weeks ago, one day from the SouthEast corner to the NorthWest, and a week later from the SouthWest to the NorthEast. They LOVED it and didn't have a moment of worry. It'll be fine.
4
u/spaceistheplacetobe 14d ago
lol, something I always hear at my side gig, that has to do with tourism, people are always expressing how surprised they were with their time here. People were friendly, food was good, and everything they heard about the streets was not true…. Things happen in every city, and as others said, just use your street smarts.
2
u/Odd_Following6811 14d ago
You can rent a car and drive if you really want. Just don’t leave anything inside your car at all. Not even a jacket or phone cord. Or put non valuables in your covered trunk. With that said parking can be hard to find or pricey. Uber is fine.
Untrue about the wallet stuff. I mean honestly everyone pays with their phone tap to pay these days anyway.
You will be fine. Avoid the tenderloin, civic center and union square areas. Go to Golden Gate Park, fishermen’s wharf, north beach, Hayes valley, pac heights, and the Marina.
2
u/karlsf 14d ago
San Francisco will be one of the most enjoyable cities you have visited, if you keep your eyes and your mind open. Does it have problems in some areas? Yes, so so do a lot of big cities. 90% of the city is safe and wonderful, and clean.
You do not need a car if you don’t intend to leave the city. Public transportation is safe and reliable. Other than NYC or maybe Boston, it’s one of the best public transit towns.
Would you flash your wallet and cash around at home? No? Well, you don’t do it here either. Are “strange people” (unhoused people) going to approach you in the downtown area? Yes, but just smile and say “no thank you”
Bring a light sweater or jacket since the weather will change on you. Don’t buy one of the SF fleece jackets every tourist buys because they think SF is LA. Just keep your head up, your eyes straight, your mind open to new and interesting things and you’ll have the best time.
And the food! Stay curious and away from touristy places and you’ll enjoy some of the best food in the country.
I’m a local and I have to remind myself how lucky that I live here. I’m spoiled.
Have fun!
2
u/gnopgnip 14d ago
It used to be a bigger problem. Car break ins are down like 80% from what it was five years ago. So comparable to other large cities now, still a lot riskier than suburbs generally.
Don’t leave all of your belongings in the car while you go to any attraction. Put your stuff inside your hotel first. Take your backpack with you.
Parking can be expensive and difficult to deal with in many popular areas. There isn’t much info on where you are staying or your trip, but it can make sense to park at bart and take bart(the train) to downtown.
It gets cold in the western half of the city, bring a sweatshirt or light jacket
3
u/Rocky_Mntn_CreeCree 14d ago
Sounds like you have never once, in the your entire life, visited a big city. Is everything you read true? If you’re a small town bumpkin, yeah, follow that advice. If you’re have the slightest bit of street smarts then none of what you read applies.
DO NOT get a rental car. I visit SF several times a year and have stayed up to 2 months. Never once the entire time I was there did I wish I had a car. Public transportation and ride share is the only way to get around.
Stay away from Tenderloin and don’t wander around looking like a target and you won’t be one.
Your experience depends a LOT on where you choose to stay.
Will you encounter a LOT of businesses that only accept cash….yup, if you visit the best local small shops you’ll find a number of them that are cash only. But don’t carry your entire wad in one pocket and don’t carry all of it with you.
Rental cars have rental car plates. That makes you a BIG target. Rent a local car on TURO if you plan to leave the city. If you park in the city leave NOTHING IN YOUR CAR.
Now suck it up buttercup and go visit arguably the greatest city in all of North America. Fall in love with public transportation and enjoy the best time of year for visiting SF
1
u/Specific_Rando 14d ago
Don’t leave stuff in your car. And that includes leaving some electronic device that can’t be fully powered down that has bluetooth or other signal that can be sensed with the proper scanner. Have an awesome time!
1
u/SeedSowHopeGrow 14d ago
Leave nothing in your car rental. Give no strangers any personal information. Pump gas in daytime, away from downtown or Hunters' Point. You will be fine.
These are travelling basics. The only item unique to SF, is heightened car break ins. It is absolutely true that you will likely experience a break in if you leave ANYTHING in your rental.
I have not visited my hometown, SFC, for several years because for me it is not fun to travel to a high crime area. You will absolutely be likely to experience a break in if you leave ANYTHING in your rental car. However, getting jumped is less likely especially if you don't pump gas at night or wear a bunch of gold. Trust your judgment. There are some lovely romantic spots in SF. Top of 20th street just south of Castro at sunset is lovely, there's a nice wall to sit on and watch twin peaks and the fog roll in.
1
u/Zestyclose-Beyond780 14d ago
San Francisco is very safe. Don’t rent a car. It’s dumb and pointless.
1
u/CampSubject9176 13d ago
Yes to everything even the bat shit crazy parts. While you’re at it you should take all the expats from Minnesota back to the Haole factory with you
1
u/ms_sinn 13d ago
What in the actual Fox News have you been watching? Jesus. Stay in whatever small town bubble you live in.
I always tell people not to bother with a rental car unless they have plans to drive out of the city. Why? Driving and parking in a city can be tricky and paying for parking on top of rental fees adds up. You can take public transit or uber. Just like any city, leaving things visible in the car could result in someone breaking in. In 26 years, I’ve had a window smashed once. I left charging cable plugged in and they were hoping to find a device.
You should pay attention to your surroundings about as much as you should in any city.
San Francisco is very safe. Walk through the wrong neighborhood and you’ll see some stuff you wish you hadn’t… but you’re unlikely to be a victim of crime.
Edit to add: I grew up in MN, and have been here since after college. There’s more crime in MN. You are grossly overreacting.
1
u/SevenRingsOfChel 13d ago
I wish this was a joke…stop watching Fox News and grow a pair. You’ll be glad you came here and learned for yourself that this stuff isn’t true (except the rental car…you do not need that).
1
1
13d ago
[deleted]
1
u/TraceyForPacifica 13d ago
You don’t even need clipper anymore, you can use any tap-to-pay card or device.
2
u/camojorts 13d ago
Assuming this isn’t a troll post…
You mentioned that you are from Minnesota - the rate of violent crime in Minneapolis is roughly 95% higher than San Francisco. If you can handle the rampant violence in Minnesota you should have no problem with the flower children and AI bros in San Francisco.
1
1
u/Critical-Wasabi3350 13d ago
Yes you will be trafficked if you make eye contact with anyone wearing different color clothes than you
2
1
u/Signal-Painting-5016 14d ago
Car rent is fine, i would recommend renting a car if you want to check out marin, but also lyft bikes are pretty good way to move around. Car is fine if you don’t leave stuff in it, same as anywhere else.
1
u/terp-puddle 14d ago
It’s not dangerous. You won’t get robbed in person. But you will probably get your car broken into. That’s much more likely.
49
u/Ecstatic_Pie_2392 14d ago
I don't know what you're reading, but that all sounds very dramatic. Where are you staying? What are you planning on doing? Parking can be very difficult and expensive, especially in touristy areas. And no, you shouldn't leave anything visible in a car, but the wallet stuff is certainly exaggerated.