Originally Posted by
ntamayo
Inevitably, tourist "safety" becomes part of a perception thing, and SF is not immune to perceptions by tourists (and even Bay Area natives like yours truly). In fact, the worst "safety issues" the average tourist will encounter are aggressive panhandlers and pickpockets, which are more annoyances that strict "safety."
Amen.
With that said, I'd say you actually can't go wrong with any of the hotels east of, say, Leavenworth near Union Square, or around Moscone Center (which includes the 6-12 blocks referenced above).
Now for CY Van Ness and the Proper, take extra care with the surroundings especially at night.
Now I'd say your own perceptions are getting the best of you. Sorry, friend. You were doing so well above!
If you check on the map of crime I for which I share the link only a few posts ago, it actually shows the crime rate of the area around the CY Van Ness and the Proper is significantly lower than around the Union Square and surrounding vicinities. Oops.
As it were, I often go to the Proper bar for drinks and walk there and back from/to the StR. I walk through the "heart of the homeless" problem in SF. I've done this for years since the Proper opened. I've seen more homeless. And yet I've not had any more issues nowadays than I did years ago; namely, I've never had a single issue. Ever. Mostly walking alone, too.
The fear of and prejudice against what's different and "uncomfortable" are just in people's heads. They're not born out by the facts.
Facts matter. The areas around the Bonvoy hotels in SF are pretty safe. There are types of people that might make you uncomfortable. Welcome to the "big" and diverse city. It's really not that scary.
And I live behind the ridiculous gates in antiseptic Orange County.
