sally

Have never been to San Francisco but going there in a few weeks. I have seen several posts mention lots of construction in Union Square, hotels there that border questionable areas, and a homeless problem. What areas and hotels around Union Square would you recommend or avoid? I thought Union Square was the best central area to stay in to easily get around. Want a hotel for about $150-175 per night. Would really appreciate some help.

ldsant

Yes, there are homeless people. They are in every major city! They aren't aggressive or anything - you can just walk by them (or better yet, buy a Change paper for $1 from the BADGED vendors - it helps the homeless).

As far as hotels - I'd suggest the St. Francis.

John

"And a homeless problem."

Why don't you take fifty dollars and help some homeless, then stay in a place for 100? You snob!

Terri

I'd suggest trying Priceline.com. People have been getting the St. Francis, Marriott, W and other top hotels for as little as $55. Take a look at the site www.biddingfortravel.com for advice before using priceline.

Johnny

John,
What's your problem ????
Be nice to people. Sally is a woman and would prefer not to be attacked by some homeless, questionable people....to say the least. Do you have a problem with that ???? Do you know where that $50.00 would go ? I know: drugs and alcohol,prostitution. Would you like tourists visiting San Francisco or any other place for that matter give money directly to homeless people ? Why not donate to a reputable institution? Majority of homeless people are homeless because they're mentally sick, drunks, etc. Giving money directly to them can be dangerous...Think about it. And, John, be nice to people.

Sally, yes, St. Francis is a nice hotel. There is also Hyatt on Union Square and 2 blocks from Union Square is Pan Pacific (I used to work there) and would highly recommend it. Although, I'm not sure if their rates aren't a bit higher.

John

It's a fine area. You'll find all of the joys and all of the problems of a major city. Go and enjoy and experience it for yourself.

Brian in Atlanta

Sally, I live and work in an area that has a very large homeless population, but I have never, anywhere in the world, encountered some many aggressive, loud, obnoxious and scary homeless people as I have in San Francisco. And Union Square seems to be a big base. There seemed to be no enforcement of public drinking, threatening behavior or public profanity laws. Really turned us off on San Fran. Union Square is a good central location, but I probably wouldn't stay there again.

Susan

Sally, I'm sorry your post is being met with such hostility. Gees, I think most people going on vacation like to avoid the unsavory parts of town (which yes, every town has) and also like to avoid areas under major construction. Unfortunately, SF has a homeless problem. It's gotten progressively worse in the last 10 years. We aren't going to solve that problem on this travel discussion board .... (though I personally find it deplorable that all the buildings on the Presidio have stood empty for years when all these folks in SF obviously need shelter). However, to answer your question Sally, Union Square is under renovation but I don't think the construction noise, etc. is very disruptive. San Francisco is a relatively small city so wherever you stay you will be close enough to everything. I'd recommend the Hotel del Sol which is walking distance to some great restaurants, etc. and in a great part of town. I'd also suggest the Embarcadero area, either the Griffon or the Harbor Court, where you will be right near the water.

Also, the Tuscan Inn at Fisherman's Wharf is nice. That's an heavily touristy area which you might just prefer to visit, or maybe you'd prefer to base yourself there.

The main attraction Union Square has to offer is shopping. If hitting the local Nordstrom, Macy's or FAO Schwartz isn't part of your SF itinerary then there's not much to recommend Union Square.

But, as I said, SF is a relatively small city and the cable cars and streetcars link everything together. Enjoy yourself!

sf

Although there's nothing wrong with the St. Francis, it may be a bit above your budget -- not sure because, with the way things are these days, who knows what hotels are charging?

A few years ago I stayed at the Savoy just off Union Square. It's a small, European-style hotel that served a nice continental breakfast and had a friendly staff. Also, it might fight your budget. I do mention again that it was a few years ago, and things change, but you may want to look into it.

sf

Of course, I meant to type "fit" your budget. Whether it "fights" your budget is up to you.

kam

Yes, there are homeless people, but since we are up in the city very often at night, I have never found any of them to be aggressive. Wacko, yes, but not aggressive as I found in Georgetown last year. The Cartwright Hotel is a nice moderately priced hotel near Union Square. Others are the Andrews, Chancellor, and Grant Plaza that should be in your budget. That price range is not easy in SF.

John G

Sally, my family is from Los Gatos and about 11 years ago I worked at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Union Square. I don't know what it is like now, but there was a homeless problem on the square then. It was really strange to see men and women sitting on the sidewalks begging for change across the street from Hermes. I never had a problem with these people being aggressive. However, in other parts of SF you may have that problem. San Franciscan, being oh so PC, see nothing wrong with homeless people in bikinis sunning themselves in the middle of the sidewalk. PS I don't know what the rates at the Grand Hyatt are now, but it is really a nice hotel.

Faina

The area is safe. The square itself is fenced off for renovation, although the underground garage and 1/2 price ticket booth are opened to public. All hotels and shops around are opened for business as usual.

Karen

My friend works at the Marriott on Market street here in San Francisco. He said that since tourism is low now, both his hotel and the Prescott are offering great deals. I would recommend the Prescott. It is on Post Street and is a small European type hotel. Very nice.

Prue

Sally, We stayed at the St. Francis about a month ago and as I mentioned in an earlier post, we found the number of homeless in the vicinity of the hotel a huge deterrent. We are Australian and therefore are not exposed to the problem as much, so it came as quite a shock. We certainly found some of them agressive and quite threatening, and this was during daylight hours as well.
We wished we had been staying in a different area, and thought perhaps the Fisherman's Wharf area would have been preferable.

ldsant

if you want to encounter "fewer" homeless people, then the areas to stay in would be Pacific Heights (Archbishop Mansion is a hotel there) and Nob Hill (although a few blocks away there are many homeless). I wouldn't let this determine my vacation however; it's an unfortunate part of the city. It's reality in this country in major cities. This is a problem that is getting worse; not better.

nychick

hi....

went to SF on my honeymoon two years ago. we stayed in union sq and regretted it. it is nothing but shopping, and not even local stores but chains and dept stores.

also, i thought the homeless problem in SF was deplorable, worse than NY, DC and Boston. i've lived in all three of those cities and SF is definitely more obviously plagued by homeless AND an incredible amount of litter.

we were only there for 2 nights, if i had it to do over, for that short amount of time i'd stay by the water. yes it;s touristy but for two days we wanted to see a lot of stuff down there and could have taken the trolley to north beach where we also wanted to visit.

sorry no suggestions in the affirmative, just my observations.

SF Neighbor

Sally:

Again, the homeless/those who beg are a huge problem for SF and those who live work and play their.
I am in SF often for all of the above reasons and have to say that on Friday, I was minding my own business while in Union Square when not one but a few homeless people started in on me about my not giving them money or the attention that they felt they deserved from me.
I donate lots to many charities and was so mad at being verbally attacked and threatened that I snarled back. Someone walked by us arguing and said sarcastically: "whatever happend to September 11th?" I said: "I gave all of my money to people effected by September 11th which is whay I am now agruing with this person about why I did not save enough for him. What did you do on September 11th?"

Sally, this got so out of control...right in front of Ferragamos on Union Square. I was so embarassed to be involved and really arguing with the homeless and this lady.

I would comment on your hotel request but enough has been said about that already.

The moral of the story, come, have fun, do not argue with the homeless and bring enough money for all those who will aggressively ask you for it!

sally

I wish that there were a nice hotel in North Beach I could recommend, but there isn't. Definately do not stay at the St. Francis or any other major hotel chain. Choose one of the zillion boutique european hotels that SF is so proud of. Prescott, Andrews are a few. Also the idea of Griffon and Harbor Court are good too. I like the Union Square area. You are in a great jumping off position to go to North Beach, the theatre, Chinatown or Fisherman's Wharf. If you can, get out of the city and go to Napa or Sonoma for the day. Don't miss the wine country. Best if you go for at least one night, or two. Do try to fit it in, even if you don't drink. You rent a car for the day and pick-up rental in many city locations and return to the airport.

susan

we went to Sf last May and stayed in Union Square..it's great if you want to spend you vacation being chased by agressive homeless people. We left after two long nights and rented a car and stayed in the Cow Hollow section. There was a great Italian restaurant called Parma or something very close and lots of shops and it was safe to be out after dark..susan