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| Cold summers - 3/18/2013
Summers are cold and there is often wind all year, a cold wind.[read more...]
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| My heart still in SF, but it aches - 1/2/2013
As an SF native and someone who has lived in SF most of my life, I totally concur with posted positives on character, architecture, beauty, diversity, parks, and the overall uniqueness. Also, SF is the most amazing, world-class restaurant town for quality at every price point. I offer to round out other facts. I no longer live in SF but was born, raised, and spent most of life there. Caution, the following is long.
First, SF public schools mostly suck (e.g., budget challenges, overcrowded classrooms, gangs) with the exception of Lowell and a few other high schools (from experience and from inside information). Lowell is a genuine standout as a magnet school with a national reputation and why it receives way more freshman applications than freshman class slots. BTW, UCSF is a graduate school that requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree. An unfortunate side effect of diversity is the well-documented-in-the-90's Balkanization of the high schools. SFUSD does have lots of dedicated teachers, but they are not led or supported well by an inept administration. Parental involvement is nearly non-existent in most schools.
Second, the weather quality depends if on which side of Twin Peaks you live. Between the ocean and Twin Peaks, fog is a frequent companion with accompanying moist cold that makes it feel 10-15 degrees colder even though it's only in the 60's. In the evening, the fog often rolls across the city to the Bay. Of course, there's Mark Twain's famous quote about SF's summer weather (well before folks lived west of Twin Peaks). Most natives are accustomed to carrying a jacket or sweater because cooler weather is always looming. On the plus side, SF has temperate weather that does not get as hot or as cold as most places.
Third, while housing prices may be justified by a desirable lifestyle, housing prices include several other very important factors such as the building code for resistance up to an 8.0 earthquake, the geography and hilly terrain, the fixed amount of land for residential housing (essentially built out by the late 60's with the majority of residential lots only 25 feet wide), and the ability of many SF residents earning high enough salaries that can afford the housing (especially two-earner married and unmarried couples). The square footage is smaller compared to housing in Bay Area cities and suburbs of comparable price. Being house-poor is very common. Diligent house hunters should conduct thorough and care home inspections due to deferred maintenance and the marine air.
Fourth, snobbery and rudeness are common (I concur with comments in other postings). I still have many friends and relatives in SF so I always have friendly faces and open arms available. But, I did not discover public manners and civility until I left SF (and California) due to job relocation. While the urban attitude, distrust of others, and "don't be a victim on the streets" demeanor I embodied most of my life is common to many in a large city, the snobbery of "we live in the best city in the world" can be quite off-putting, even coming from those I care about who live in this fishbowl perspective. Until I relocated, I wasn't aware I was such a snob. After all, why does being the best place need to be constantly reinforced by residents, the local media, and City Hall?
Fifth, driving and parking is not for the faint of heart. As a native and hardcore urban driver, I have no issues driving in The City. Most visitors will have issues if they are unaccustomed to narrow streets and lanes, jaywalking pedestrians, lack of street parking (readily-available free parking essentially gone citywide by the 80's), expensive downtown parking, diligent meter maids (steady source of city revenue), aggressive bike messengers (during weekdays) and cyclists, taxis, and buses (just remember that Muni buses rule the streets like pachyderms at the local watering hole). On top of all this, SF has some of the most expensive auto insurance rates in the country. The state estimates that 20-25% of drivers do not have insurance (mostly illegals). Having been hit by an uninsured driver, at least my insurance company took care of me. Since the insurance company can't recover repair costs from the other driver's insurance company, it's legal action and/or write off as a loss. Also, Asian and Latin immigrants operate under a different set of unwritten rules of the road depending on where they learned them.
Sixth, while SF is an exciting place for singles and DINKS, it's a challenging locale to raise children unless you have the income and/or means when considering housing, safety, and education.
Seventh, many of the homeless in SF feel entitled. While city hall was being quite humane in how the homeless were treated with a significant increase in the 70's and 80's with services to the homeless, the well-intentioned actions has unintended consequences. Local governments across California and the West that could not afford such services gave their homeless a one-way bus ticket to The City. The 80's saw an explosion of panhandling, especially aggressive panhandling. Our network of friends shared critical information by joking about where we experienced less or more panhandling. Such information was invaluable planning evenings out with a significant other that minimized this aspect of The City's colorful scenery. The caring and well-intentioned may feel good about what they do, but what about the quality of life impact on the majority of residents?
I could go on, but it was getting depressing. So, I had to stop.[read more...]
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| Great City - 1/1/2013
San Francisco is an amazing city full of diversity and connected to that, vibrant life and intelligence. It is beautiful too and we LOVE the hills! We love walking and hiking the hills of San Francisco. We do not see it as a dirty city, haha, just go to Italy, for example, and you will see dirty cities, although many are great anyway. San Francisco is spotless comparatively. We find that locals speak to us easily and offer help before being asked and when asked. We use common sense and never have problems with theft or violence there. We love the culture and vibrancy of the city, it truly feels alive. Note: The plentiful number of homeless is a downside as commented elsewhere. Are the homeless more visible in San Fran, rather than more numerous?-don't know. We wonder if it is because of the cost of housing, culture and generosity of public, drug addicts, or all those. We saw many sleeping tattered-clothed homeless around the civic center & courthouse during cold rain in December, that is miserable. However, we notice homeless (we met) were not starving so there must be public food programs, and many seem to be professional beggars; all were polite when gently told "no". At the same time, we love the energy, cultures, walking culture, public transit choices and character, it is so easy and inexpensive to get around the city, and simply the beauty of San Francisco. If you feel called to help the homeless then that's great. All large cities have homeless and it is a complex issue. Perhaps it is healthier that they are seen rather than strangely absent. There's a lot of homeless in Honolulu, Portland, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Florence & Rome, London, you name it. The cost of housing is an issue although we were recently surprised as costs seem lower than in previous times we've been there; without the need to own a car, one can re-think how to allot costs too. [read more...]
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| Sadly Disappointed - 9/17/2012
I, like so many other naive college grads, thought it would be a good idea to leave my quaint little college town and tackle the excitement of San Francisco. And, like so many other naive college grads, I didn't last long, lost most of my money, and left feeling bitter and let down by the City by the Bay...
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about places and everyone has different experiences about cities, but my experience of San Francisco was so negative and so painful that I will gladly never set foot in that city again. To start with, unless you are in high tech or any other booming, high paying field, making ends meet is difficult. Even with the high minimum wage I was barely breaking even. And I was living in squalor. For so many (hipsters) living in squalor is cool, but for me it was just difficult and unpleasant. I paid $800 a month to live in the Sunset with loud neighbors and terrible fog. The buses were always late and almost always packed to the brim. I could barely breathe during my 40 minute commute to work. The kind of customers I served at my restaurant made me lose faith in humanity. When I worked up Arcata I got nothing but smiles, hellos and good tips. In San Francisco, supposedly a friendly liberal city, I was lucky if one in five people would tip (and I'm a friendly and good waiter). People were openly rude and would call me derogatory names to my face. Nowhere else have I encountered such snobbery, such self-righteousness than from the patrons at my cafe. But nothing compares to the sheer self-absorption, narcissism of my fellow 20 somethings. So often people were more interested in being hip and cool than being friendly or nice. It's all about being up with the latest trends, the latest bands, the latest iThing. I never had a genuine conversation with anyone. They were more interested in showing off how cultured and unique they were. To put it bluntly, San Francisco is a city for the privileged. There are other cities that are for the privileged, but San Francisco's privileged aren't aware that they are privileged. They assume that they are somehow saving the world or at the forefront of some movement.
The only pro I can think of is the gay-friendly attitude. As a gay man, I genuinely felt I could be myself and be open about my sexuality. But that wasn't enough to make me stay. Words cannot express how happy I am to be gone from this place. Anyone else has the right to disagree with me and that's fine. If you love San Francisco, all the more for you. But for me I needed a more down-to-earth, less stuck-up vibe. [read more...]
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| Terrible weather, among others things, I'm so disa - 7/17/2012
I've been living in San Francisco for 14 years and I'm still upset by the climate. Spring and summer are the worst. I can't stand the cold, the wind and the fog; there are no season. I lived in Europe before and I had 4 seasons, with snow in winter and a warm, sunny summer, fall was very nice with all the red/yellow trees, and spring was mild and so nice. But I had to come here because of my husband's job, I had no choice. All that is depressing and I kinda feel sad and down. I don't really like getting out because the weather is not "friendly", I don't like the hills, especially with high heels(!), and I hate walking in the streets because they're often filthy and uncomfortable. In conclusion, my dream is to get out of here and to go anywhere else because, for me SF, isn't a nice place to live. And I'm not talking about the cost of living, the homeless and the mentality of many people. Here, I have very few friends though I make friends easily. I'm hoping to get enough money to get out of SF and relocate somewhere else, I'd like to live on the east coast, not necessarily NYC. I know that it's not simple but I really wish that. Sorry for my English, it's my second language. [read more...]
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| I love SF - 7/12/2012
Everyone says that san francisco is a filthy, horrible city filled with many homeless and every time you go out, you're going to get robbed. The reality: yes, san francisco has quite a few homeless people, but more often than not, they'll leave you alone. I have never felt threatened by a homeless person, and many major cities have many homeless. also, whine it is cold here, it's never hot, which to nd is a very good thing. When I go out , I'm normally In shorts, and so are a lot of people. The city also oozes character. From the classic looks of the victorian mansions in pacific heights, to the urban condos In potrero hill, theres all sorts of houses here. If you're into jogging and running, or any outdoor activities, this is an amazing place. Of course there are a lot of hills, but there are also a lot of flat parks. And speaking of parks, everyone forgot to mention the many parks here, including golden gate park, which is the largest metropolitan park I the U.S. So, there are lots of things to do outside, but SF is very diverse. With a large asian, hispanic, and caucasian population, there are lots of festivals and faires. The housing prices are high, but that's justified in almost every aspect of san francisco. With the many parks, you would think that there are a lot of kids here, and you'd be right. San francisco has many family friendly districts, like the sunset and richmond. Both of which border the beach. the sunset is also home to lowell high school, one of the very best schools in the nation.
Overall, San Francisco is a beautiful city, with many parks and tree lined streets. The houses are beautiful, most of SF is safe, you can walk almost everywhere, the restaurants are good, they don't let big corporations like walmart in the city, and the public school system is top notch.
P.s. Lowell high school had 1700 freshman applactions this year, which is quite a bit. Lowell is also the biggest feeder school into the UC schools, like UCSF med school, UC berkley, and UC los angeles, all of which are amazing colleges that people come from all around the world to attend.[read more...]
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| Not a fan of San Francisco - 6/21/2012
I moved here for my husbands job relocation, never having visited here, (I wish I had). I think I'm now suffering from depression. I've traveled often and I have to say SF has the rudest people I've ever encountered, no social scene other than bars, hairy hippies, the worst drivers ever, (where are the traffic police to write tickets to these people??),and this homeless thing is just the worst. I'm counting down the days til we move in June 2013...that's if I don't abandon my husband and go home to wait it out. It's not bad on the eyes with all the parks and Victorian homes if you like that sort of thing.
There are numerous bars on every street, so if you are into a heavy bar scene, this place is the town for you. (I'd have to take up drinking to drown my sorrows if I stayed here too). If you love summers with sun-filled days on the beach, don't come here. While there are beaches, you can only go there in winter gear. The weather is always cloudy, windy and in the 50's or 60's, so leave the bikini and grab a hat and gloves.
If you are an older person or one thats not in the best shape, walking up the many hills in this town will depress you. If you like to run or bike, you'll love this town. (I keep calling SF a town because to call it a city would mean I'm being untruthful). There aren't many cultural events or social gatherings unless you enjoy protesting pointless things. If you aren't accustomed to seeing homeless and having them do things on the streets that children and most adults find shocking, (some just utterly unsanitary), this isn't the town for you. To have this sort of thing so close to the downtown area with all the tourists just baffles me. This is what people see when they visit SF and no one cares?? Wow...
Many people love this place and that's fine, but when I leave, I will never return. I don't even want to fly over it. I'm crossing it off any maps I have in hopes I never even have to see or hear the name again. I will get hypnosis to wipe away all memory of having been forced to live here.[read more...]
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| Not a fan of San Francisco - 6/21/2012
I moved here for my husbands job relocation, never having visited here, (I wish I had). I think I'm now suffering from depression. I've traveled often and I have to say SF has the rudest people I've ever encountered, no social scene other than bars, hairy hippies, the worst drivers ever, (where are the traffic police to write tickets to these people??),and this homeless thing is just the worst. I'm counting down the days til we move in June 2013...that's if I don't abandon my husband and go home to wait it out. It's not bad on the eyes with all the parks and Victorian homes if you like that sort of thing.
There are numerous bars on every street, so if you are into a heavy bar scene, this place is the town for you. (I'd have to take up drinking to drown my sorrows if I stayed here too). If you love summers with sun-filled days on the beach, don't come here. While there are beaches, you can only go there in winter gear. The weather is always cloudy, windy and in the 50's or 60's, so leave the bikini and grab a hat and gloves.
If you are an older person or one thats not in the best shape, walking up the many hills in this town will depress you. If you like to run or bike, you'll love this town. (I keep calling SF a town because to call it a city would mean I'm being untruthful). There aren't many cultural events or social gatherings unless you enjoy protesting pointless things. If you aren't accustomed to seeing homeless and having them do things on the streets that children and most adults find shocking, (some just utterly unsanitary), this isn't the town for you. To have this sort of thing so close to the downtown area with all the tourists just baffles me. This is what people see when they visit SF and no one cares?? Wow...
Many people love this place and that's fine, but when I leave, I will never return. I don't even want to fly over it. I'm crossing it off any maps I have in hopes I never even have to see or hear the name again. I will get hypnosis to wipe away all memory of having been forced to live here.[read more...]
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| Well rounded perspective from someone who's lived - 6/13/2012
A little about me so you can consider the source: I've been an airline pilot for 14 years and have lived in many cities. I also sleep in various other U.S. cities about 3 days a week, so I consider my perspective to be pretty informed from a comparison point. Also, keep in mind that I moved into Hayes Valley, witch if you research is considered one of the nicer neighborhoods.
Here's my honest opinion: If you like CONSTANTLY cold and windy weather (the delusional locals here get all excited when it is warm for 4 hours one day a week in the summer), frumpy/grumpy girls, entitled/snotty hipsters, crazy/violent/hostile homeless EVERYWHERE (including the "nice" neighborhoods), pretentious yuppies, trash/urine covered streets.. then this is the city for you!
If you dislike any of the things I just listed, then the East Bay might be a better option. I lived in Oakland for a year before I came here and despite it's reputation, never felt threatened or intimidated the way I have MANY times in San Francisco. Here is a short list of the interactions me and my girlfriend have had the privilege of experiencing in the last two years:
- Being spit on and threatened by a homeless man at a bus stop
- Having to escort my girlfriend to and from BART as she was constantly embarrassed and yelled at by the homeless as she tried to make her way to the train
- Being yelled at and threatened after narrowly avoiding stepping into a puddle of urine (apparently the homeless man was insulted that I did not just step into his pee-river)
- A man naked from the waist down walking in a circle around a public sidewalk tree while urinating on it
- Almost unknowing ingesting illegal narcotics after buying a chocolate truffle from a street vender in dolores park
- Stepping into human excrement on the public sidewalk while in my work shoes on the way to work
Keep in mind that there are many, MANY more delightful run-ins with the fabulous, but down on their luck street dwellers that I just don't have the time to list here. The strange thing is how POLITE, and COURTEOUS the citizens and homeless population of other cities seem after leaving San Francisco. It is so strange to hear the words "thank you" after giving a homeless person in Seattle a dollar. There is something that makes the homeless a bit more rotten and hostile in SF, but I have no idea what that might be. In other cities, I am so happy to help this population out, as they seem like pleasant people that are just down on their luck. In San Francisco they are angry, borderline violent, and seem to relish bullying the people that are not in their position. Very strange.. and very sad.
Very sad how the city police will give you an UNLAWFUL parking ticket, then hold their stance in court as they know you'll run out of time and patience and then just pay the ticket. They seem very keen on illegally collecting money, but definitely do not seem to have the time nor recources to protect its citizens from danger and intimidation.
But on the plus side: The restraunts are great! [read more...]
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| San Francisco is Hades - 6/13/2012
I loathe San Franciso. We were relocated here a few years ago and now that the honeymoon's over, I want a divorce!
Sure, it's beautiful, and the surrounding country is breathtaking. But San Francisco itself is one of the filthiest, most unlivable cities in the US, and this is coming from a NYer.
The city is revoltingly dirty. I'm a city girl and I grew up and lived in NYC most of my life, lived in Paris for a short period and have traveled to and spent time in most of the world's major cities. San Francisco is filthy. Human urine and feces fill the sidewalks and the stench walking down some streets is vile. Cigarette butts are scattered all over(especially if you live near one of the ubiquitous Academy of Art "schools"). Food trash and utensils line the gutters.
The homeless have taken over the city. Thanks to the insane do-gooder politics, homeless people, most of whom are disturbed or drug-addicted, have free run of the city and are even given a stipend, thanks to the tax-payers, to enable them to camp out anywhere they please. They're even allowed to own dogs and get free dog food (and by "free", I mean compliments of the tax-payers)! The "homeless" kids in the Haight (as in drug-addled tweakers) actually breed pit-bulls and travel in packs with these inappropriately bred, unpredictable, lethally vicious dogs.
The pan-handling is beyond aggressive. It's basically legalized mugging. If you want to shop in Union Square, you're accosted by an aggressive, disturbed homeless person basically threatening you into giving them cash.
The taxes are ridiculous. The mindless, self-involved politics are making the city a living hell-hole for the very people who pay the most in taxes.
Public transportation is inefficient and unsafe (thanks to the homeless, who are given free access and who pretty much live on the trains and buses, stinking up the train cars, spreading their body lice and other parasites on the seats), cabs are nowhere to be found, and if you are lucky enough to eventually get one, the cab drivers are dishonest and rude and do their best to rip you off.
People are rude as all heck here. They walk three and four abreast down a sidewalk and refuse to move over for anyone walking in the opposite direction. They're mostly in their 20s and 30s and don't have any manners whatsoever.
Bikers are another everyday hazard. They plow through intersections (a woman was killed by a biker last year), ignore traffic regulations, and also don't bother using the bajillion miles of bike lanes they strongarmed the tax-payers into providing for them.
San Francisco is horrible. We are planning our move back to civilization within the next year. Do not move here unless you're a self-involved, mannerless, Godless brat, in which case, this is definitely your home. [read more...]
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| I left my heart... - 6/10/2012
Not much I can add to what you already know about San Francisco. I am truly blessed to be able to live in a place that many people save a lifetime to come and visit. Having said that, the cost of living is what will cause most of us to leave as we get to retirement age.[read more...]
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| Great place, but cold - 4/4/2012
There is so much to do here and it's a great place for liberal singles in their 20s and 30s. It is very expensive compared to other parts of California and even more expensive compared to other states. The weather is tempermental and cold, even in the summer, so that's a big adjustment I had to make. Overall, there is a lot to do and the people are interesting and from all walks of life. [read more...]
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| I hate San Francisco. - 3/4/2012
Warning: This is a completely opinion based review and I think liking San Francisco all depends on where you are in the city and what you like in a place you live (for example: if you like paying $2,100 for a tiny studio in a horrible neighborhood, This is your place!)
For someone who knows what it is like to live in a nice town and likes it, this place is HELL. Though I do live in the Tenderloin, a "bad" neighborhood. I have lived here for 2 almost 3 years while going to school. The only good thing that came out of it is I met the love of my life here, And we both LOATHE this place so much. So much seething hatred that I'm trying to contain while writing this. NOTE: We are going to now finish school online so we can finally leave soon. We're looking into Spokane, WA. We came here for the Academy of Art University, which is a horror story in it's own.
We hate the spoiled hipsters with a chip on their shoulders (I'm different! I'm moving to San Francisco!), we hate the food/utility/rent/parking/existing costs, we hate having to walk up the hill for the crappy grocery store then walk to another crappy place for stuff that didn't have and walking somewhere else.....No easy way to get things, when we do drive (ZipCar) it's a one way street nightmare! We hate the entitled homeless people here that if you show any compassion they still get angry "WTF am I going to do with a DOLLAR?!", We hate all the people that get in your face, the loud noises like endless police and ambulance sirens and the BOMBS that go off at night (completely true, for the time we've been living here, a guy with a bunch of M-80's goes around and blows things up. Scares the S*** out of me every single time!!) We hate the weather... So much. It's cold in the summer, it changes constantly, it's windy. For me, it doesn't matter how many layers I put on, it's ALWAYS a bad experience walking around, I'm always so cold. Another thing, I got Swine Flu while I was here, and that was the worst thing ever. I thought I was going to die. My dad also died while I was here, I got my wallet stolen, my iPod stolen. And not ONCE did anyone help me while these things happened, (before I had met my boyfriend).
I lost completely my compassion and understanding while living here. You turn into a cold person if you stay too long. This is coming from a "country girl", so of course if you love cities, you love the night scene and are looking for a place to act crazy and think that's cool, this might fit you. That is, If you are willing to shell out your life savings just to exist here.[read more...]
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| Bring money (preferably your trust fund), and it i - 1/9/2012
I grew up in New England but moved here 35 years ago. Alas, I did not have family money or a trust fund, or a truly elite skill (such as MD, top scientist, elite MBA business background, consulting, etc). So I have spent way too much of the the past decades figuring out ways of earning enough money to own a home here and stay here.
But if you can do that (earn or inherit enough money), and you like a mild climate with a surprising amount of sun (especially in the many nice towns around the bay that are outside San Francisco City proper), a nice amount of greenery, especially in Marin County north of the Golden Gate Bridge where I now live, a mixed culture with a very international flavor compared to most of the US, a lot of cultural activities, and about the best outdoor hiking, biking, running, walking weather and opportunities about anywhere: then this is the best place in the US!
So I appreciate this great place everyday. I just can't afford to live here much longer.I'd have to say that over the SF area is a poor place for those in a middle-class family situation who lack those elite skills or that inheritance, or at least the ambition to make income generation their highest focus.
I suppose that in the nearby San Jose-Santa Clara (silicon valley) area there is far more opportunity for the middle class, with all of the giant tech corporations, but even there an engineering degree from a very good school, or top-notch IT skills are needed to afford living there in a decent and safe neighborhood.
So bring money, and you will love it. Hope I have served here.
[read more...]
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| Living in SF - 9/6/2011
SF is a beautiful city full of culture, arts, and diversity. However, the cost of living --specifically housing -- is very hard to afford. [read more...]
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| Best Place To Live In The US - 3/3/2011
We are fortunate to live in the San Francisco Bay Area (Marin County) -- which has to be considered as one of the top ten places to live for a whole variety of reasons. Food, climate, diversity of cultures, arts, hospitals, other entertainment. However, it is also one of the most expensive places in the US to live. Therefore, while we truly love the Bay Area, and will certainly miss it terribly, we are realists and understand that, for retirement purposes, we need to look for another place to live. This is why we are joining this web site -- and are hopeful that it can assist us in making a good decision.[read more...]
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| Weather - 2/24/2011
Hard to beat on a year round basis. Easy to forget which season you're in or the time of year - especially because summer can be as cool as winter.[read more...]
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| San Francisco - 12/11/2010
SF is vibrant and cool, with tons of things and experiences, but $2000 for a 1 bed room apartment is honestly not going to happen (not on my budget). I wish I could move here, just long enough for a big city fix.
The seasons are bland, going from kinda cold in the winter to kinda warm in the summmer.
Do not drive in the city. It's a nightmare-heart attack-hell on wheels sort of experience. The public transportation is really great.[read more...]
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| WHAT A SHAME FOR SAN FRANCISCO - 9/10/2010
I moved to San Francisco, CA years ago. Even then, I felt it to be a small town with Big City attitudes. That didn't bother me, though; it was sort of "cute." I have managed to live in the Bay Area now for over 10 years and have never really felt it to be "home." Some say it's "beautiful," yet when you look up close, it is really not at all "beautiful." Very run down in a lot of areas. San Francisco makes a pretty picture on a postcard; that's about it. What is the most shameful and most depressing is the fact that the City has allowed the "Scum of the Earth" to take over. There are SO MANY useless people in S.F. today ... low lifers! So many people in S.F. don't work and don't want to work and don't intend on working--EVER. Why bother? The City supports so many useless people, it is disgusting. People who could easily work. It seems that every person who gets on a City bus flashes a "disabled" status card. So many people are "feeding" off of San Francisco's generousity, while the City is just flat broke. The filth of years prior to Mayor Gavin Newsom's term
has been SOMEWHAT cleaned up; i.e., at least trash is being picked up. The startling sight is the FILTHY sidewalks. Why don't they look like this in Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, D.C., Boston, Chicago, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Denver? Why are their sidewalks as filthy as ours? It seems that S.F. needs to have the MARVELOUS workforce which we NOW have sweeping and picking up litter off of our grounds, streets, and, yes, sidewalks, literally WASH our sidewalks. I have wondered: WHO'S RESPONSIBILIY IS THIS AND WHY IS THIS FILTH NOT BEING "ADDRESSED"? If the responsibility is that of individual businesses, then, for goodness sake, please, SOMEONE from the City, GO OUT AND SPEAK WITH THESE BUSINESS OWNERS! ENCOURAGE THEM TO CLEAN THE SIDEWALKS OUTSIDE OF THEIR BUSINESSES. That along would help make San Francisco a much more comfortable place for me (at least)! [read more...]
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| BEWARE! - 8/11/2010
My husband and I decided to take a 5 day trip to Frisco. See the sights, ride the cable cars and such. Oh my GOD! What a mistake! As a matter of fact, we prepaid our hotel for five days and walked away after two nights. We stayed at the Historic Pickwick hotel. The bed was comfortable, and that's about all I can say. BEWARE of parking costs! The parking in the local garages is 32.00 per day. If you are unfortunate enough to have driven a minivan or truck, you will be the victim of the following phrase: "Since you are oversized, you will have to pay double... $64.00 per night." Are you SERIOUS?!! It's that way at all the parking garages. Don't waste your time searching for a cheaper one... it doesn't exist. And, you will NOT want to park in a public lot overnight. We decided to try that. One passenger side window and a lot of broken glass later, it's just not worth the savings. So, ultimate solution: DO NOT BRING OR RENT A VEHICLE! By the way, if you do bring a car and it happens to be vandalized or broken into, the police will not come out and make a report. Crime is too prevalent, and they won't bother. You need to report it online or dial 311 from a 415 area code phone.
Oh, there is some good nightlife, but beware. We went to a great little place on Mason street and heard some awesome jazz and blues, but when I stepped outside for some fresh air, I missed seeing someone shot in the head by about 10 seconds. Now, THERE'S a vacation memory! Body sprawled on the sidewalk, mayhem, people screaming.
Then there are the drugged up or mental residents that wander the streets panhandling, begging, making strange comments or just following you. I am not exaggerating. They are everywhere. Everywhere. 24 hours a day.
AVOID THE AREA KNOWN AS TENDERLOINS. You will NOT be safe. Your vehicle will NOT be safe.
On the plus side, Chinatown is charming, and the Wharf is beautiful.
The only way to possible enjoy and be safe is to get a hotel ON the Wharf, such as the Argonaut. DO NOT bring a car or rent a car. DO NOT go anywhere near Union Square. Stay near the wharf and chinatown.
Mark Twain is famous for saying "The coldenst winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" (yes, it's cold in August.. mid 50's)
My new saying is "The longest year I ever spent was 2 1/2 days in San Francisco." It was 2 1/2 days too long.
Litter and debris everywhere, crime everywhere, drugged and/or destitute everywhere. Shame on the mayor.
I can honestly see a term where no one wants to even run for the office of Mayor, because it is THAT bad, and no one wants to be responsible for a city as nasty and dangerous as this.
Oh, and as a final note: If you want to visit Alcatraz, buy your tickets AT LEAST three weeks in advance or you are out of luck.
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