How I Planned a Solo Trip in San Francisco Safely

As my dream trip went by, I was inspired by my family trip to San Francisco, including Chinatown and Downtown, which I had planned months before my finalized trip on my dream. 

Ideally, San Francisco is an ideal and safest place for solo travelers, and my parents and I split some time to spend some time together and solo.

Here I queued after talking more about the San Francisco trip to my family, and they were blessed to travel safely.

My suggested place in San Francisco is to stroll at the University of California, Berkeley. It is located north of Oakland and is a beautiful place to spend some time. 

August 2018

Spending time alone downtown and in Chinatown, I felt like San Francisco was “once a safer place.” Still, the most nostalgic vacation place I have ever planned is worth visiting since I was thinking of planning something I could imagine. 

Visiting different places independently, I felt like San Francisco was a dream trip when my parents praised and took the pictures. It was located throughout the neighborhoods. 

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A post shared by Stephanie Tse 🧳 Traveler (@i.powers.travelgirl)

Another place I suggest is Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, where you can indeed stroll around with different epic views and sail on the Bay Cruise (Red and White Fleet). It’s pretty fun, isn’t it?

And we had so much fun on the small cruise ship. 

Now, things have changed from best to worst. Because of the Covid-related hardship, people did not have options but to “think of ways” to get out of the situations, such as stealing items (shoplifting) and doing criminal activities, lack of “stepping outside of their comfort zone,” or just not having enough money to support themselves. But no one took action to stop those criminal activities. That being said, it triggers homelessness downtown. And there is a problem that makes travelers vulnerable. 

Tips: Be meticulous when visiting downtown, especially when using a buddy system. If you travel solo, avoid the downtown and Union Square or near Market Street area and opt for Chinatown or places where many people enjoy walking or dwelling. 

I believe that vulnerable places (where many homelessness are more prone to mental problems) can stare and snatch their bags [for money] and [valuable items]. So remember that cash should always be kept inside the secured compartments inside the bag and closer to your body.

Keep yourself to a low profile. 

Be aware of your surroundings, and do not play with the phone while walking. Also, do not listen to music. Have your earbuds or headphones off your ears and pay attention. 

Warning: Never carry more cash or bags larger than your body. You may be vulnerable to pickpockets. Only carry smaller bags and cash less than $20. Leave any expensive items, such as bags or jewelry, at home. 

Suppose you decide to plan a solo trip to San Francisco solo. In that case, there is preparation due to the increase in crime in or around the downtown area, where you might need to reconsider visiting, especially Market Street and other areas where many [closed or shut down] stores have been targeted for criminal activities, drug dealers, and vandalism. You may want to avoid places where homelessness is scattered in the street because I believe they can be aggressive or targeted for panhandling. Below, you can read how to safely plan a solo trip to San Francisco.

What about hotels?

Yep, hotel industries and reservations are plunged by crime and homelessness, so I posted a picture of affected hotels.

Since then, hotel reservations in the downtown area have declined due to other criminal activities and homelessness, which is 23% lower than in 2019. That decrease in hotel reservations means visitors were booking a hotel in other locations besides downtown, such as the west or northwest of San Francisco (Farrell, 2023).

Consider making a hotel reservation other than in the downtown area. 

What about the shopping center?

I also posted a picture of stores most affected by the causes of criminal activities and homelessness. That was unacceptable for visitors, residents, and businesses. 

Even though brand names were heavily affected, such as Nordstrom (which will close later this summer) or the Supermarket, the Whole Foods Market, located downtown, was closed due to increased criminal activities. The shopping mall, known as Westfield San Francisco Centre, will close later this year due to criminal activity and shattered operational activity.

Instead of shopping at or near the Downtown area, I suggested the following malls:

• Stonestown Galleria
• Japan Center Mall
• Anchorage Square
• Ferry Building Market
• The Cannery
• Chinatown
• San Francisco Premium Outlets

Tips: When visiting the store or a mall, you may be subjected to a bag check upon entering or exiting, even though you carried just a purse (for any stolen items). When shopping at major retailers such as Target or Pharmacy Stores, almost all items stocked are behind locked displays. You should pack your patience when you press for store assistance to retrieve items you want to purchase.

Other options to visit San Francisco neighborhoods based on safety data are:

• Cow Hollow/Marina
• North of San Francisco
• Mission
• North Beach

If you plan to travel solo, I highly recommend not traveling or planning activities in Oakland because of the crime rate. If you decide to visit Oakland, please take into carefulness and plan activities that are away from “dangerous areas.” A buddy system is recommended.

The problem?

I believe that a lot of homelessness has landed somewhere in the downtown area, so many tourists visiting the downtown were reconsidering planning other neighborhoods besides the downtown area. Hence, several store closures made residents and travelers feel like the downtown area was more “suspicious”; otherwise, they landed themselves to shop elsewhere. Many people were “afraid and frightened” when walking through where the homeless people were most located and residences. So do I. 

How to safely plan a solo trip in San Francisco?

1. Since I am a “Solo Travel Expert,” things must be considered. Since then, I believe the “downtown area” is safe for many visitors. But the opposite is true in San Francisco. There was a dramatic increase in criminal activities, including drug dealers, shoplifting, and homelessness in the downtown area; I suggest reconsidering itineraries elsewhere, partially in Union Square, Mission Districts, and near Market Streets. Follow the itinerary you create.
2. Plan a trip to attractions other than Market Streets, the financial district, or Union Square.
3. Instead, I suggested visiting places, including Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, The Presidio, Chinatown, and parts of West San Francisco. Or you can also plan to visit Russian Hill, where Lombard Street is located.
4. I highly avoid scheduling any activities solo at night. Be at the hotel or hostel by 8pm.
5. Finally, those places in downtown San Francisco have become vulnerable or dangerous doesn’t mean “don’t travel there.” or “don’t travel solo.” You must reconsider your itinerary elsewhere besides downtown, Union Square, or somewhere with a high crime rate. It is all about “planning diligently.”

Reference:

Farrell, Paul. (2023, June 12). San Francisco’s hotel industry is being squeezed by crime and homelessness driving convention away. Daily Mail Online. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12186161/San-Franciscos-hotel-industry-squeezed-crime-homelessness-driving-convention-away.html