California : Safety by City
- Alameda
- Alhambra
- Anaheim
- Bakersfield
- Barstow
- Berkeley
- Burbank
- Chino Hills
- Chula Vista
- Compton
- Concord
- Costa Mesa
- Daly City
- El Cajon
- El Monte
- Escondido
- Eureka
- Fairfield
- Fontana
- Fremont
- Fresno
- Fullerton
- Garden Grove
- Hawthorne
- Hayward
- Hemet
- Huntington Beach
- Indio
- Inglewood
- Irvine
- Lake Forest
- Lancaster
- Livermore
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Merced
- Milpitas
- Mission Viejo
- Modesto
- Moreno Valley
- Mountain View
- Newport Beach
- Norwalk
- Oakland
- Oceanside
- Oxnard
- Palm Springs
- Palmdale
- Pasadena
- Pomona
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Redding
- Redlands
- Redondo Beach
- Redwood City
- Rialto
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- Salinas
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- San Leandro
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Ana
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Clarita
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Monica
- Santa Rosa
- Simi Valley
- South Gate
- Stockton
- Sunnyvale
- Temecula
- Thousand Oaks
- Torrance
- Union City
- Vallejo
- Ventura
- Victorville
- West Covina
- Yreka
San Francisco, California, is the main attraction in the San Francisco Bay area, surrounded by water on three sides with dynamic bridges connecting it to Oakland and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
When you look at the dynamic skyline of San Francisco, it’s hard to imagine it once tumbling to the ground in a massive earthquake back in 1906.
The powerful quake and the resulting fires essentially leveled the city.
The city was rebuilt into what is now a major commercial, financial, and distribution hub of the western United States.
It’s the fourth-largest city in the state, with nearly 900,000 people, and one of the top five metro areas in the country.
The city is a series of hills, with more than 50 of them throughout the grid layout of streets.
This is why popular places have the word “hill” in them, like Russian Hill or Nob Hill.
The steep inclines give incredible skyline, water, and bridge views from various locations.
San Francisco is a true cultural melting pot of people and places.
From Chinatown to Fisherman’s Wharf to the Financial District – and beyond – there is so much to explore in just 47 square miles.
Warnings & Dangers in San Francisco
OVERALL RISK: LOW
While there are definitely some hot crime spots and categories, the city is at the high end of a low risk or the low end of a medium risk, depending on how comfortable you are visiting a big city.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
MuniTransit, combined with the cable car routes, makes it easy to get around SF without a car. It's a bikeable and walkable city, but don't forget those hills when considering non-motorized methods. Rideshares and taxis are abundant. If you are going to rent a car, there are plenty of them, but watch out for the steep parking prices at the hotel. Most hotels charge around $50 or more for daily parking. You might be able to find a better deal at a nearby garage, but you won't have access to valet services.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
San Francisco Police don't offer exact pickpocket statistics, but you can review the crime data from MuniTransit. In 2021, there were 127 pickpockets reported on the transit system. In any big city, especially one as crowded as San Francisco, you should treat it with medium risk and avoid large purses or wallets in the back pocket.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Earthquakes are the big risk factor here, and there's no way to know when one is coming. You might feel smaller quakes that aren't damaging, but it can be scary if you've never felt the earth move before. Fog can also be a problem here, limiting visibility.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Overall in 2021, robberies were three times higher than the national average. In 2022, there was a rash of robberies in the northeast section of the city. The robbers targeted people with expensive watches and even held the victims at gunpoint to get the valuable watch. This is another great reminder to leave valuables at home.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There is serious concern about the potential for an attack on the Bay Area, but it's also met with a lot of security from local law enforcement up to Homeland Security and the military. You can review the San Francisco Emergency Management Plan to be more familiar with risks and safety steps.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Most of the scams reported here involve rental scams. If you're visiting long term and renting an apartment, be cautious of where you find a listing and how much money you pay upfront. A good warning sign is a deal that seems too good to be true or someone who won't meet you in person or Facetime from the apartment.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
The sexual assault rate here is half the national average, which seems a bit of an oddity. You'll need good personal safety steps, like not walking around at night or meeting someone online and going to a private residence.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The 2021 Water Quality Report shows there were no violations and full compliance in more than 95,000 tests done throughout the year. On a side note, the city repurposes wastewater after treating it - but not drinking water quality level - to provide irrigation for green spaces.
Safest Places to Visit in San Francisco
Sftravel.com is the official tourism site for the city and county of San Francisco.
(Although the city and county are in the same locations) In a city as big as San Francisco, plus the surrounding cities, it’s hard to summarize all the great, safe places to visit.
Use the website as a way to research the best attractions, restaurants, and hotels while using a secure website with trusted information.
As a bonus, each destination includes which public transportation you can use to get there.
A sightseeing pass is a perfect way to get more value and see more places.
The packages are created with a group of attractions or destinations, and you’ll get deep discounts compared to if you see each attraction solo.
The Land-Sea Combo takes you right from the double Decker bus to the bay cruise boat.
There are 20 neighborhoods in San Francisco to visit, but some are more popular than others or catered to specific tastes.
The top spot for tourists is Fisherman’s Wharf.
It’s a historical district with action and energy abounding at every turn.
Pier 39 has all the shops and restaurants with fresh seafood.
You can also board whale-watching tours here or take some time to watch the sea lions lounging.
In between Pier 39 and Hyde Street Pier is the place to buy tickets for a tour of Alcatraz, a former high-security prison on an island with cold, chopping waters surrounding it.
If you’re going to visit Chinatown, stop by the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum first so you can learn about the history before you explore the colorful and cultural neighborhood.
The Wok Wiz Tours will take you through a variety of restaurants so you can savor the samples.
Art and museum lovers should head South of Market (SoMa) for a series of cultural and historical museums.
This is one of the more upscale neighborhoods if tourists are looking to stay in luxurious hotels.
Channel your inner hippie in the Haigh-Asbury District, with colorful Victorian homes and eclectic shops and cafes.
You can also see the former homes of the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.
They aren’t open for tours and are now private residences, but most fans won’t care – they still want the Instagram photo.
Golden Gate Park is the Central Park of San Francisco and nestles right up to Ocean Beach with unobstructed views of the ocean.
The park is also where the Botanical Garden is located.
Head south on that beach to get to the San Francisco Zoo.
Fillmore is great for vintage shopping and vogue designers, but it’s also one of the top locations for views of the city.
Check the concert schedule at The Fillmore to get a taste of the music that made this neighborhood famous.
The Golden Gate Bridge is open for walkers, bikers, and wheelchairs.
There’s a gift shop and parks on either side, with walking tours available a few days during the week.
Places to Avoid in San Francisco
Once you go south of California Street, crime rates start to increase, especially on the east side of the city.
Bayview and Mission are neighborhoods with some of the highest crime rates.
Only go to Golden Gate Park during the day and try to visit SoMa in the daytime as it can get a little seedy at night – or just use an abundance of caution and enjoy the nightlife.
Avoid just hopping in the bay or ocean water anytime you’re near the edge.
Ocean Beach is one of the safer beaches for swimming, and China Beach does have great windsurfing or parasailing but isn’t great for swimming.
You might want to wear a wetsuit in the water because it could get cold.
Check San Francisco Shoreline Beach Monitoring Program’s website each day to see if the water quality is suitable for activities.
Don’t walk around the city with headphones on or look like a lost puppy.
Even when in doubt, walk with confidence and swagger to seem like you know exactly where you are going.
If you need to ask for directions, pop into a business and ask the manager for help.
Don’t ask any person on the street.
Safety Tips for Traveling to San Francisco
- I usually save this one for later, but with 66% of all thefts being car break-ins here, it’s worth mentioning upfront. I do believe that’s the highest car break-in rate I’ve seen. Even when you’re parking at a hotel and using valet, don’t leave personal belongings inside. Only give the key to your vehicle, not the whole key ring.
- SFPD has a real-time crime-tracking dashboard on its website. This allows you to see up-to-date crime information and not just the 2021 data I can offer you. You can custom tailor the dashboard to only show crimes in certain neighborhoods, giving you a better look at the places to avoid when you visit.
- SF311 is a program to get you in touch with city services or file a concern, like a pothole or homeless encampment. This is not for law enforcement emergencies. You’ll use 911 for that.
- There are a lot of homeless people in San Francisco, and some suffer from mental illness. It can be jarring for people who aren’t used to seeing a homeless problem up close. There are a lot of good charities you can donate to if you are inclined to give money, but don’t give money to a homeless person.
- There’s a 24/7 crime tip hotline. The number is (415)575-4444. You can also call the Narcotics tipline at 1-800-CRACK-it (272-2548) if you suspect illegal drug use. If you want to text a crime tip, send it to TIP411 (847411) using SFPD as a keyword and then type your message.
- Sign up for AlertSF to get emergency notifications during your visit. This will cover severe weather, criminal emergencies, or civil disturbances. Also, follow @SF_Emergency on Twitter to get updates there.
- If you do experience an earthquake while you are there, it’s important to review the emergency management guide for what to do ahead of time. If you are outside, you do NOT want to run inside to seek cover. Just try to get to a place away from any falling debris (for example, don’t hide under the awning of a building). If you are inside, get under a sturdy table or desk and cover your head with your hands.
- You can use that 311 number to ask for a Community Ambassador to safely escort you between locations. You’ll be able to identify your ambassador by the bright yellow jacket. While this service is available in many neighborhoods, review the city website to see which neighborhoods are served.
- There are a lot of rules for parking in San Francisco, from colored curbs to towing zones. SFTravel.com is a great website that lays out all the rules you need to know. The PayByPhone Parking app can help you pay for metered parking without having to pull out your wallet or be at a meter.
- San Francisco is known for its fog, especially in the mornings and during the summer. If you want to avoid the fog, plan for afternoon activities, as the morning fog has melted away and the evening fog hasn’t set in yet. This could also be a good window to schedule flights to reduce the risk of fog delays.
So... How Safe Is San Francisco Really?
While San Francisco is ranked as one of the Top 10 Places to Live by U.S. News and World Report and is one of the top tourist destinations in America, there’s still a crime rate to be weary of when visiting.
The Mission, Bayview, and Tenderloin districts are the ones you should go out of your way to avoid.
Theft is really the biggest thing a tourist needs to worry about when visiting San Francisco.
Whether it’s breaking into a car or slipping an iPhone out of a pocket, you need to be protective of your stuff in a proactive way.
Don’t fight back if someone does steal from you.
Watch thefts have been getting increasingly violent, so reduce that risk by not wearing an expensive watch or jewelry, for that matter.
An average of 17 cars are stolen daily in San Francisco, too, so don’t leave the car running to pick up food or leave the keys in the car.
Ask the hotel to see where the car keys are stored to make sure it’s in a safe place away from your vehicle.
One thing that really stood out to me when I booked a San Francisco trip was the hotel price shown online versus the final total.
Once you add in the parking, which left me speechless, and other fees, the discount price wasn’t such a great deal.
You might find a hotel that is actually more expensive with less expensive parking, making it a better deal than a lower-priced hotel room.
Stay in the areas designated for tourists here and use extra caution at night.
Don’t leave both ears immersed in headphones.
You want to be able to see and hear all the things around you – day and night.
How Does San Francisco Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | 61 |
| Deadwood | 80 |
| Sturgis | 80 |
| Pierre | 81 |
| Spearfish | 80 |
| Hill City | 83 |
| Sevierville | 73 |
| Temuco (Chile) | 31 |
| Puno (Peru) | 45 |
| Nara (Japan) | 88 |
| Kanazawa (Japan) | 83 |
| Hammamet (Tunisia) | 78 |
| Sidi Bou Said (Tunisia) | 42 |
Useful Information
Visas
You'll need a Visa issued by the U.S. State Department to get into the country by boat or through one of the airports. You can use the Visa Wizard on the department's website to see which one is right for you. Plan a few months for this process to happen, and you will be required to do an in-person interview.
Currency
You can exchange currency at the airport or many local banks. Don't use a public ATM. Get cash inside a bank. You will only be able to use the U.S. Dollar (USD) currency here.
Weather
The weather here is pretty consistent throughout the year, so you don't need to plan clothing for extremes. This is northern California, so warm beach days will not happen often. Jeans, a light jacket, and a t-shirt or sweatshirt should be fine. Wear comfortable shoes because there are a lot of hills here.
Airports
You can choose from the San Francisco Airport, the San Jose airport, or Oakland's airport. Even the closest airport, SFO, will take at least 30 minutes to get there in traffic.
Travel Insurance
We always recommend travel insurance, especially in a region where the fog can greatly impact flight delays and cancellations. If you don't have health coverage that extends to San Fransisco, it's wise to purchase supplemental insurance just in case of any emergencies.
San Francisco Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 |
| Low °C |
8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 8 |
| High °F |
57 | 61 | 63 | 63 | 64 | 66 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 64 | 57 |
| Low °F |
46 | 48 | 50 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 54 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 52 | 46 |
False rating
Walked from one bar to the next on Lombard st and got mugged at gunpoint so completely disagree with the safety level, also homeless is very bad and drug use is horrific on the streets
San Francisco Mayor London Breed has defunded the Police! San Francisco is unsafe unless you carry a weapon to protect you and family!
Misleading...when was this last updated?
“This is because the crime that goes on in San Francisco, is usually confined to certain dangerous neighborhoods and individuals that know each other from the streets.”
When was this site last updated? How about disclosing the danger and recent violent incidents on BART and Muni, not to mention the criminal activity in and around the subways and bus stops?
You didn’t mention that some of the popular theatres, museums and the Main library is located in these neighborhoods.
The sidewalks are filthy and there is rampant drug activity in MANY of the popular downtown tourist areas including Powell Street and Union Square. And yes, word is getting out with the awful SF experience as some conventions have been cancelled.
You also need to update the earthquake data in the Bay Area (2014 Napa Valley) and the out of control wildfires that have lasted for weeks that have impacted the air quality in SF for two years straight.
I came to this site to get crime information for a few French cities but if you’re as off with them as you are with San Francisco (and LA) I’ll have to look elsewhere.
This site doesn’t intend to update anything, it is propaganda for the tourism industry. Everyone knows SF isn’t a safe place. Walk down the street for more than 15 minutes I guarantee you will witness a car break in or other crime.
High Crime, don't visit
Our car got smashed into and our valuables got stolen. Drug dealers and really weird people are hanging out everywhere in SF. Don’t visit unless you have personal protection and if you’re willing to be in danger.
I have been to San Francisco. I haven’t been mugged once.
congratulations for winning the lottery
Agree 100%
Dump City
I went 3 years ago, would not recommend.
Police need to be on the beat, most unsafe city i ve been to.
Far better to visit San Diego.
My wife and I lived in the City since 1993 and moved Summer of 2021. Steady decline past five years that seriously increased during the pandemic to present. We lived in the West Portal neighborhood that had widespread car and garage break-ins, Safeway and Walgreens shoplifting…. Quality of life clearly going straight down. As a resident your mind is pre-occupied about how not to become a victim. Is anything visible on the car seats?Are your packages going to be stolen? Is someone going to vandalize my car tonight? General lawlessness now throughout the City. Then there are the filthy littered streets and the encroaching homeless. If you feel shame at all, I ran out of excuses many years ago when my relatives and friends came to visit. Then there is more of the same around City Hall, Market Street, Golden Gate Park, Legion of Honor. Sure, there is a high likelihood nothing will happen if you visit as a visitor and follow some rules but if you can’t live with peace of mind at home than why would you consider inviting tourists?
Exciting city!
We stayed in Francisco for a whole week while visiting my niece and I didn’t witness a single bad incident. I’m very cautious by nature so I always pay attention to my bag and whatever else I’m carrying so this is no issue for me. The cable cars were a very exciting experience for me, glad I made time for it.
Gotta see more
Great experience but we definitely have to come back for more! My fiance had to attend a business meeting so we didn’t have time to explore the city. Small tip: if you’re vegan you’ll find a ton of cool places to eat.
Lots of crazy people and muggers
The BART train stations don’t feel safe, homeless and mentally ill people are everywhere on the streets, specially Downtown but also in touristy areas like Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate park.
When I went to Golden Gate park, I was followed by this big guy offering me cocaine.
Once I stopped to take a picture of the gardens, one crazy guy aggressively shouted “What the f*ck are you taking pictures of? Get out of here!”
I’ve seen lots of people selling and buying drugs on Market Street, I’ve seen people fighting.
Once… I was about to enter a Convention Center with a friend and he was suddenly pushed by a crazy man who was kicking everything on the street and shouting like crazy.
In Fisherman’s Wharf, I stopped to watch a supposedly group of singers and they told me they were selling an album. I said I would like to help but I had no money, the 3 of them put me against the wall saying they “knew I had money”, I showed them my empty wallet and started an argument since I’m probably poorer than them (since I’m a Brazilian who got a free flight to San Francisco on a lottery).
I didn’t fell safe in San Francisco at all and I wouldn’t like to come back, it’s also ridiculously expensive (and maybe that’s why it’s dangerous).
Expensive Cities are Safe.
Are they though? Chicago, NYC and Seattle are pretty dangerous and all very expensive.
Many unsafe areas
Not what it used to be. Dirty, congested and a lot of under reported crime. Police seem to be over whelmed and limited response to small property crimes and homeless problems. Excrement even in best neighborhoods.
San Francisco is unsafe!
This website is providing 100% inaccurate information!
I have lived in San Francisco for over 30 years. In 2020, violent crime has increased by over 30%! Use your head, and avoid traveling to this dangerous city AT ALL COSTS!!!
Feels unsafe, but okay
Outside of places like the Financial DIstrict and rich neighbourhoods up in the hills, you will probably see many homeless people, along with crazy people. Generally, they don’t pose a serious threat unless you try to confront them, so just avoid approaching them. There’s been reports of knife crime on BART trains, but I haven’t been witness to any violent incidents in San Francisco, apart from a pair of people arguing in the street in front of a supermarket (mostly shoving and yelling, and being disruptive to traffic). Overall, I’d say you should be careful. Personally, I’m more frightened by the local police than I am of general persons on the street.
Frightened by the police?
You are part of the problem.
I don’t have much sympathy for San Francisco residents, as they voted for this mess of a city.
(I live just outside the city.)
Lies being spread on Fox News
Why do you care what others vote for? They can vote for whoever they want, this is a democracy! You have no right to criticize others for their political views!
Its people like this that are the problem
It’s called the first amendment and it’s a right in this country. We can criticize anyone we want including you. I live in SF for work and I can say first-hand EVERYONE is looking over their shoulder at all times. It doesn’t matter what neighborhood crime is everywhere.
Vehicle robbery is very common
I live in a nearby city so my info is based on 15 years of news reports, not just a random visit. Its a world-class, must-see destination and its fairly safe. But car break-ins are really bad right now, and have been for a while. Certain highly-visited tourist areas like the famous zig-zag part of Lombard Street have multiple thefts every day. If you visit, do not leave valuables in your vehicle, especially not in sight.
San Francisco is actually quite dangerous.
Since Covid, San Francisco has grown extremely dangerous in all areas including residential. Many folks we know have actually left the city sold their condos apartments, etc. because crime is gotten so bad. Some sections seem like a ghost town and only people left or criminals or the main problem and mental issues with a lot of the citizens on the streets. Unfortunately many of the streets smell of urine from people relieving themselves. There are some parts of the city that are still nice but not many right now. A neighborhood that looks really nice will have a very bad one a few blocks away and the criminal element just walks from the bad area to the good area. Unfortunately there are challenges in every city for San Francisco this last year has increased 70% in crime. No I can’t prove those numbers but I just know from living in California.
criminal city
Very dangerous. don’t visit now wait till get better. Read the news San Francisco became a criminal city
San Francisco Slum like Districts
Unfortunately clean streets are not a SF Mayor priority these days i.e. Mission district, Downtown Market, junkies, mentally ill every corner, urine smell, sidewalks are filthy littered with trash not to mention graffiti is rampant even on new store fronts.
High Crime Rate
Although the violent crime rate is down compared to decades past(especially the murder rate), the San Francisco feels more dangerous than ever for the average resident. Having worked downtown for several years, there are times where the situation simply seems terrible. The amount of homeless, mentally ill, drug addicts and dealers have made a situation where property crime is out of control. Brazen robberies in broad daylight and crowded places are very common. I have personally witnessed stores getting robbed right in front of my eyes. The Walgreens down the street from my work would get robbed so much that they had to close down- and this was before covid. Everything has become worse since. I’ve witnessed cars get broken into in person. I’ve had my car broken into twice in two years- both times in parking garages. Most stores have security or police officers by the door to try to prevent theft but they don’t seem capable of stopping the criminals.
San Francisco is arguably the most beautiful city in the United States. It is one of the best cities to eat in, if not the best. It has some of the best weather in the country. There is so much to do and see. But the situation downtown and around tourist areas make it where I can’t recommend the city to tourists anymore. As a life long resident, it’s hard for me to be so harsh on a city that I love. The situation before covid was bad. The situation now is on another level.
Don’t come to SF or California
Riots, theft, and car break-ins. Please believe what you hear on the news. Carry pepper spray and don’t come to California!! I don’t feel safe
Unsafe DO NOT GO
Got robbed, almost ran over by thieves. This is Gotham City. Don’t go. Police is helpless. DA lets thieves out same day.
Beautiful areas but unsafe in general
As someone who had lived here for my whole life until a year ago, I’d say this is very misleading. There is a huge homeless and drug problem throughout the entire city which means many mentally ill and addicts desperate. I’ve been grabbed but I’m armed and my phone has been stolen, which is nothing in comparison to so many people I know who have had their cars broken into, tires stolen and assaults leaving some in the hospital. Very beautiful if you are away from people which is hard if you don’t know the city. I’d say unsafe but if you have someone with you from the city then it’s a different story.
Avoid This Dump At All Costs!
I grew up in the Bay Area (about 30 minutes from San Francisco). Before I would go several times a year to visit Pier 39, watch off Broadway shows, see museums, etc. There are so many great things to see and do. However, now San Francisco has become such an unsafe, filthy dump that I will not go near it. You can’t go anywhere in the city without seeing a MAJOR homeless problem. They have taken over the streets and poop everywhere. Last time I went to my favorite museum a couple of years ago there was poop on the sidewalk every couple of yards. You can even look up the worst areas by going online and seeing their poop map (no joke). The crime is horrendous because they have passed laws that let criminals go free. Police arrest people just to have them released by the jail that day! No one is prosecuting criminals over there. If you bring a car, expect it to get broken into. It happens all of the time. There have been YouTube videos on this. To anyone who is planning on coming to Northern California I would recommend going a little south of SF to Monterey or east to Napa. Stay clear of SF until they clean up their city!
I wish I lived here.
I don’t know why people are leaving bad reviews. I spent a week in San Francisco while staying in Daly City and everything was absolutely amazing. The weather was stunning, the people were exceptionally friendly, the food was amazing, and even the “trash” and “homeless” problem was very negligable. The city is well worth a visit and all I can think of now is returning.
San Fran tourism is dead
I have been a regular tourist here since 94. Both alone and brought both medium size conferences (300+ ppl) and corp team meetings (30-50). After our team meeting in 2018 I was so embarrassed having brought people there, I vowed ‘never again’.
Union Sq was an open sewer. Feces and urine everywhere. Junkies shooting up in the square but I was told I had to leave because I was smoking a cigar. We had attendees experience a bold daytime store ‘lightening of inventory’ by locals with no attempt by security to stop them. And that was before covid, BLM, and Breed.
I can’t imagine how scary it is now.
We stopped in San Francisco at noon on a weekday and parked by Ghiradelli on a busy city street at a meter. Returned to our car one hour later and found the windows smashed in and our luggage stolen. At high noon! Cops who came and did the report told me “we have lost control of the city”. Not exactly what I would call safe. They say leave nothing of value in your car if you park. Kind of hard to drag all of your luggage around while sight-seeing!
Be aware just as you would be in your own Country.
I love San Francisco and have visited four times .I didn’t experience crime or see or hear of any during my visit but I am very aware of my surroundings wherever I travel in the world.
San Francisco Is such a vibrant , exciting city with wonderful restaurants and interesting place to visit all within easy reach.
My daughter met a homeless man near the Castro cinema , apparently he told her he was veteran . Alex judged the man to be down on his luck so she bought a book he had written and took him to an Indian restaurant to eat. I think he added interest to her holiday.
Visit San Francisco , stay safe! and enjoy all that the city has to offer.
Stay Away
I grew up in the Bay Area and used to enjoy coming to visit the city. No more; now I avoid this dump. For all the reasons mentioned by others. NEVER park your car on the street for any length of time at night. And I don’t just mean the Tenderloin. Street vagrants will smash your window just to see if there is anything of value even if it is not in plain sight.
Yes, it’s filled with diversity, and wonderful if you like the odor of stale urine, getting harassed by street people, and dodging piles of excrement on the sidewalk. Just lovely…
You will meet some gentle ppl there.
Full of homeless people, trash and tents with needles, syringes and human feces all over the sidewalk. Sh*thole city. Trump was right.
Avoid SF
I would avoid going to San Francisco. It is a lawless city. So sad to see. I have been many times and it is not the same. Crime rate is very high. The police have no authority.
Spot on in your description! It has turned into a big pile of dog dodo!!!! This is why my native SF husband and I a resident moved a year ago. San Francisco is being ruined and defunding the police among other things is just so pitiful and downright sad!!!! I used to love SF but it’s definitely not safe and filthy beyond!!!!!
So true!!!! It’s 100% lawless and filthy dirty!!! It’s such a shame as it wasn’t always like this:-(
Not safe in downtown
The Bay Area is large and mostly safe. Stay away from downtown San Francisco and Downtown Oakland if you’re driving. Parking is not safe and your car has a very likelihood of getting broken into.
Good-bye San Fran
We have visited several times from Atl. Sadly, we wont go back until and unless they get handle on these crime issues.
As for this website and comments saying that crime is isolated to specific neighborhoods…. did you see the stunning robberies on Nov. 19 th and 21st at Louis Vuitton and Nordstrom…. It seems the crime is rampant and that police are outnumbered and overwhelmed.
Actually, we have our hands full juggling the increased crime and violence in our own city so we definitely don’t need more and worse on our vacation.
Sadly, Good-bye San Fran.
On my top 10 places to visit worldwide
San Francisco is a very special, different city. I don’t know if you’ll find anything like it in the world. From the way the streets are, to its ethnic diversity, the summer fog which is amazing, to its Aquarium of the Bay or Legion of Honor. It’s clear why this is one of the most visited city in the world. A place that you need to visit at least a few times to really feel you’ve seen most of it.
Very unsafe city
Do not travel here. I was shocked at how sketchy this city has become: then my car was broken into in a paki g lit lot with security present. Had difficulty getting it fixed because there is a glass shortage from all the car break ins. Wish I never came.
Listen to the locals commenting here. I am living in San Francisco for work and can attest that it is unsafe. Unless you have experience navigating unsafe cities I would not recommend traveling here for pleasure. The areas to avoid mentioned in this article are accurate; however, the crime is in all neighborhoods. Definitely avoid public transportation.
A shadow of its former self
San Francisco was such a nice city, once. I remember when people used to feel pretty safe here and the city was much cleaner, without so many drugs. It was a great place to visit, with so many attractions and a nice vibe. I’m sure it can once again become that great place it was and feel like a wonderful destination once more.
Today, it’s a shadow of its former self, with crime rising each year and getting to the point where it’s unbearable; Police not being able to keep up and people having to constantly think about how to stay safe and avoid trouble. Not a great place to visit because of these reasons. And it’s too bad because there are so many great things about this beautiful city. And the people are great, besides criminals and weirdos of course. Every big city has its share of criminals and weirdos but their numbers are just too big in SF.
The Police need a much bigger presence on the street and they need to address drugs that seem to be present everywhere, not just in bad areas. I visited San Francisco a few times in the past 5 years and I can easily see that things have gotten worse with time and that criminals are getting bolder and can attack at any time, anywhere. It feels unsafe from the moment you step in town.
There’s also a lot of angry people walking around just like others have mentioned already. They will just harass you without a reason and you will feel in danger. Even if nothing bad happens to you physically (which can sometimes happen as well), you’ll still feel unsafe. Until these problems are fixed, I wouldn’t intentionally visit SF. It’s probably one of the most dangerous places in the US right now.
Beautiful but Troubled, slightly dangerous
I absolutely love SF, but it has become a bit of a dump in certain areas and even the nice areas are starting to smell like urine. To put it plainly, there is a massive issue with the homeless population. These are not just normal homeless people who ask for money, they are ones who are addicted to some form of opioids, they *will* poop in the BART metro stations, and they have a tendency to… just behave very strange and harass people in broad daylight. I mentioned this before, but the urine smell is a major issue. I haven’t seen many public restrooms and I would be afraid to enter one anyway. There have been break-ins at the luxury boutiques near Union Square recently too, which is concerning because that is one of the most high security areas of the city.
However, it is pertinent that you do NOT visit, accidentally walk through, or drive through the Tenderloin neighborhood. It is extremely unsafe at all hours of the day and night. I have personally witnessed a group of men throw what looked like human feces or muddy clumps at each other, people passed out in front of garbage cans, obvious addicts who appear unhinged, etc. My friend somehow had a homeless person sneak into her building with security and found said person shouting into the corner of her elevator, talking to nobody.
Not really sure what is causing/allowing all of this, but I personally think these problems are way too challenging for any city administration to solve in short term, and they should focus on cleaning up the streets and removing homeless people from public areas & metro before actually attempting to tackle the issue of homelessness. That will take decades to fix, but power-washing sidewalks and removing people will only take a few days. Police presence is common, but it seems like they aren’t doing anything.
It's a Dump
San Francisco has always had sketchy parts of town. There has always been aggressive homeless panhandlers. However, crime has exploded in the last three years and it is now in all parts of the city. Car break-ins are very frequent. Human excrement and needless all over the sidewalks. Homeless drug addicts living on the streets. It’s a dump now. And, it’s getting worse not better. You almost never see the police on the streets. I think they are afraid to even respond to crime anymore. There are much better, cleaner and safer places to visit in CA.
One of my favourite US cities until now. Visited lasted year after many visits, and seriously cannot take the risk advising anyone I know visiting there. I feel so sad that beautiful places like this are run by useless politicians. Drugs and mental illness don’t help. I sent this article to a relative as I’m sure people doubt what you’re telling them. I assured them it’s true unfortunately. One night might be enough next time IF there is a next time but even that worries me a bit to be honest. Let’s hope it gets a different mayor really soon!
No different from other metropolitan areas.
Looking over your shoulder it’s what you have to do everywhere, I’ve been to San Fran many times, and I always want to come back.
SF is not safe, not even in nice tourist areas
I live in a tourist area where they claim nothing will happen to you. It is all lies. I got robbed right in front of where i live and now I can’t walk outside and I’m terrified of even driving. I live in a nice area and pay tons of money just to get robbed. He followed me and then grabbed me from behind. Watch your back in this city. it is completely unsafe and I wish I could move.
Safe and beautiful city. Violent crime has been on a 50 year downturn but car breakins are common.
Geez, never been to California but was planning a family vacation there in June 2024 but now I don’t know what to think. I’d like to see the tourist sites like Alcatraz, GGB, Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39, etc. maybe visit in SF for 2-3 days then do Monterey, Pebble Beach, Yosemite for the other 6 days but unsure if I want to put my family through this mess on their vacation. At least I have purchased refundable flight tickets. Decisions, decisions.
I find it safe
I’ve lived in San Francisco for years, and I find it to be a safe and vibrant city. The community is friendly, and I’ve never encountered any major safety concerns.
I visited SF last month, and the experience was great. I felt safe exploring the downtown area and appreciated the local hospitality.