I've lived in SF for 20 years. I love it here and have no intention of leaving.

If you visit, avoid the Tenderloin and the Lower Mission Street (from about 13th Street to the Embarcadero). Downtown is dead because workers are not coming back, they prefer work from home, so the homeless have taken over. If you do need to go to these areas, the only worthwhile places to visit are the Ferry Building, SFMOMA, and Yerba Buena Park. Many tourist still like to take the cable car at Powell Street, and it's safe to do so during the day.

Do not get trapped in the Fisherman's Wharf area - it's a tourist hell.

Neighborhoods worth visiting:

North Beach (great Italian food, Coit Tower, Washington Square, St. Peter and Paul's Church, City Light Books, Vesuvio Cafe, The Stinking Rose)

Chinatown - pickpocketing is common, so keep your valuables close and pay attention.

Hayes Valley (near the Tenderloin, so be careful, but it has good restaurants and boutique stores)

Japantown

Upper Fillmore

Pacific Heights and Potrero Hill neighborhoods, for the views.

The Haight (watch out for homeless folks, but they generally leave you alone). I personally find the Haight over-hyped, but tourists seem to enjoy themselves.

The Inner Sunset - Irving Street from 6th Avenue to 25th Avenue, and Inner Richmond - Clement Street from Arguello to Park Presidio). Tourists love the Moraga Steps, the neighbors less so, so don't bug them.

Land's End/Ocean Beach - Sutro Baths.

Valencia Street/Mission Street/24th Street

The Castro/Noe Valley/18th Street to Dolores Park

Bernal Hill - Bernal Hill Park and Cortland Avenue

It's a city, so don't go about your business distracted. Don't walk around talking on your phone not paying attention. Take with you only what you need if you are that worried. If you have a bag that is open, don't be surprised if someone sneaks a hand in there and takes your wallet. Have everything ready in case someone does steal your phone or bag - for example, know the phone numbers for your banks, credit cards, etc. so you can alert them if they get stolen, etc. Basic preparedness, is what I mean. If you are going to use Muni buses or trains, or BART for that matter, have your clipper card ready. Do not be pulling your cash out like a dumb ass waving it around. Just take out what you need. Don't leave your bags unattended, even when they are righy next to you, keep a hold of them. This is all very basic to those of us who live in cities, but it seems like a major blind spot for some tourists.

Our summer is from late August to late October. Bring a light jacket if it's warm, because it gets cold at night. It gets foggy in the evenings, especially in the Sunset and the Richmond. Speaking of SF summers, the best free show is our sunsets, which are beautiful from Ocean Beach.

Enjoy yourselves!

Last suggestion: check out SF City guides. They have free walking tours of the city, where you learn a lot about the area you are visiting. a $10-20 donation is always appreciated.

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