At the moment, visiting San Francisco is an excellent idea – The Points Guy

I’m really tired of hearing about how bad things are in San Francisco.

In recent years, the media has consistently highlighted the issues plaguing the City by the Bay. Publications such as The New York Times and the Financial Times have reported on San Francisco’s so-called “doom loop,” describing how widespread drug use, homelessness, and street crime are pushing businesses and residents away.

However, my recent travels suggest that the excitement is significantly exaggerated.

Actually, I think this is an excellent time to travel to San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Flight prices from numerous U.S. hubs are quite affordable, and hotels, particularly luxury ones, are considerably cheaper than in cities such as New York and Miami. Additionally, the lack of tourist crowds makes it an ideal time to visit, and San Francisco continues to be one of America’s top cities, imperfections and all.

I spoke with residents who feel that the city is misrepresented in mainstream media or believe that the stories are greatly overblown. Additionally, I conducted firsthand reporting in San Francisco and spent several days there — my visit reminded me of its enduring beauty, and I observed numerous reasons to be optimistic.

San Francisco ranks among the world’s most remarkable cities.

San Francisco is renowned worldwide, and for good reason. Despite having fewer than a million inhabitants, the city makes a significant impact. Stunning views, pleasant weather, and exceptional museums contribute to it being one of the nation’s premier travel spots.

In my opinion, the top tourist spots include the operating cable cars climbing steep hills, the high-end shopping opportunities near Union Square, the picturesque waterfront offering breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and North Beach. From North Beach, the Transamerica Pyramid is visible above the cityscape. All these attractions are conveniently located within walking distance of one another.

Despite its touristy nature, one of my favorite activities is to visit the seal colony at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39.

Embark on a hike to the summit of Coit Tower, located in the upscale Telegraph Hill area, for panoramic views of San Francisco Bay.

The city also houses the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District near the waterfront, which is a popular spot with Instagram enthusiasts.

San Francisco hosts numerous museums, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Exploratorium, the Asian Art Museum, the Legion of Honor, and the Museum of the African Diaspora. In total, I have identified at least 42 museums.

The expansive Golden Gate Park spans over a thousand acres in the city’s core, housing attractions such as the de Young Museum, the San Francisco Botanical Garden (which includes a Victorian arboretum), the Japanese Tea Garden, and the California Academy of Sciences, renowned for its aquarium and dinosaur exhibits. The park concludes at the scenic Ocean Beach. Discovering all the wonders of Golden Gate Park is an excellent way to spend a day in San Francisco.

Certainly, no trip to the city is finished without capturing images of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. If you are up for it, you can walk all the way to Marin — an experience I strongly endorse.

San Francisco indeed faces several significant challenges.

“San Francisco faces significant hurdles that must be addressed,” stated Tim Jue, a reporter specializing in aviation and travel, based in San Francisco. “Living and working here, I witness these challenges daily. Issues such as homelessness, public safety concerns, a deserted downtown, empty retail spaces, and the high cost of living are all problems that city residents are dealing with.”

Certainly! Here is the reworded text:

That was truly the most unsettling sight I’ve witnessed on my recent travels. Storefronts are empty throughout the city, even in the prime retail district of Union Square.

Even major retailers such as Nordstrom have shuttered, leaving an important shopping center on Market Street.

I was very surprised to find out that the Union Square Macy’s store, where I had worked in my 20s, is closing by the end of 2024.

“But this city has consistently experienced cycles of prosperity and decline since the gold rush era,” Jue remarked. “San Francisco has mastered the art of reinvention, fostering economic revolutions, enjoying their benefits, and subsequently witnessing their downfall. The resilient citizens of this proud city always manage to rebuild, and I believe we are currently witnessing some progress in that direction.”

Henry Harteveldt, the founder of Atmosphere Research, an analytical firm specializing in the travel industry, shared views similar to those of Jue.

“Have we completely cleared the difficulties in San Francisco? No. However, we are getting closer to the perimeter,” he stated. “San Francisco is a major city, akin to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago; no matter where you are, it’s important to stay mindful of your environment.”

As someone who has visited often and lived there at one point, I can tell you that certain areas, such as parts of Market Street, the Tenderloin, and Civic Center, are more likely to have a noticeable number of homeless individuals. However, this doesn’t imply that these areas should be avoided. Simply stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

“I’m not advising anyone to avoid certain neighborhoods,” Harteveldt mentioned. However, he continued, “I don’t intend to sound elitist. I would recommend that individuals remain mindful of their environment, particularly if they have been consuming alcohol.”

Harteveldt, a San Francisco resident, mentioned that violent crime has decreased and noted that “the homelessness issue appears to be improving somewhat.”

During a recent visit in April, I was pleasantly surprised to observe significantly fewer homeless individuals on the streets. While my experience may have been fortunate, homelessness has consistently been an issue in San Francisco throughout my life. Even back in the 1990s, when I resided there, it was already a major concern.

Even though the city invested hundreds of millions of dollars to address the issue, homelessness increased by 7% in 2024, although there has been a significant reduction in street camping. KQED reported that “while the overall number of homeless individuals has risen, the number of people in San Francisco sleeping in tents, cars, and RVs — referred to as ‘unsheltered homelessness’ — has dropped by 1% since 2022 and by 16% since 2019.”

In addition, crimes have decreased in San Francisco. The city has indicated that this year, “property crime has fallen by 32% and violent crime has decreased by 14% compared to the first quarter of 2023.” An analysis of police data conducted by the San Francisco Chronicle reveals that “almost every neighborhood in San Francisco experienced lower reported crime rates in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.”

The alterations are a result of the city enacting a recently approved law. Proposition E was implemented in April, providing police officers with new technology (such as drones) and additional new tools (including police cameras) to perform their duties, along with modifying regulations to increase the number of officers patrolling the streets to apprehend criminals.

“San Francisco never ceases to amaze the world with its unparalleled views, landmarks, and locations, extraordinary events, fantastic food experiences, and distinctive cultural activities,” said Mayor London Breed in a statement to The Points Guy. “I am proud of the economic revitalization efforts and public safety investments we have undertaken to preserve our City as a premier travel destination for people from all over, offering innovative and entertaining attractions that encourage visitors to return time and time again.”

San Francisco hotels are currently a great deal.

I estimated the cost for a long weekend in August, a time when San Francisco experiences relatively cool temperatures with an average high of approximately 68 degrees and an average low of 55 degrees (and no rain). Currently, prices are very affordable, even during the peak summer travel season.

If you’re a fan of World of Hyatt, you might enjoy staying at one of my top hotel choices in the city, the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, for only $176 per night (this includes a $35 per night destination fee). If you prefer being nearer to the waterfront, the Hyatt Regency San Francisco is an excellent option, costing just $249 per night, including fees. The Hyatt Regency holds a special place in my heart ever since my high school prom was held there — it’s an exceptional hotel. The Regency Club, situated on the top floor, offers breathtaking views of San Francisco and is definitely worth the extra expense.

Another hotel I love in the city is The Westin St. Francis San Francisco located on Union Square. During the same weekend, you can stay in the city center for $152 per night, which includes a $30 per night destination fee.

Numerous Marriott Bonvoy choices are available, such as the San Francisco Marriott Marquis for $170 per night, W San Francisco for $220, St. Regis for $448, and Ritz-Carlton for $397.

The renowned Palace Hotel, part of the Luxury Collection, is located on Market Street in San Francisco and costs under $200 per night. Alternatively, you can opt to stay at the esteemed Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill for $353 per night.

The Hilton San Francisco Union Square is priced at less than $200 per night, while the InterContinental San Francisco is available for just $188 per night, which includes $35 in fees. Another iconic hotel, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, located on Nob Hill, costs only $206 per night in total.

These offers are exceptional. If you’ve been dreaming of a luxurious hotel stay in a top-tier city, now is the perfect opportunity to go.

“I adore San Francisco and have always believed it’s among the finest cities globally,” stated John E. DiScala, the founder and editor-in-chief of Johnny Jet. “It will take a while for the city to return to its peak. However, if you’re looking to save on accommodation costs, now is the ideal time to visit.”

There are many affordable flights to San Francisco.

There are many affordable flights to the San Francisco Bay Area.

I checked the price for that same weekend from multiple U.S. departure points. You could book the long weekend from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) for under $200.

If you were traveling from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), a weekend trip could be done for $250. A flight from Miami International Airport (MIA) would cost just $179. Departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) would be only $177.

If you’ve ever considered visiting San Francisco, now is the perfect opportunity.

San Francisco has many signs of new growth.

The growth of artificial intelligence is currently triggering another technology surge in the Bay Area. San Francisco hosts more AI job opportunities than any other U.S. city. OpenAI recently finalized a significant lease in San Francisco’s thriving Mission Bay neighborhood, marking the area’s most substantial lease agreement in five years. According to The Washington Post, around $18 billion in investments are being funneled into San Francisco’s artificial intelligence and machine learning firms. Some residents are likening it to the early stages of the dot-com boom.

There are initial indications of a recovery in the San Francisco real estate market as well.

A developer has recently placed a billion-dollar investment on the renovated Transamerica Pyramid building, the famous skyscraper located in the Embarcadero area of San Francisco. This developer also intends to construct two new buildings nearby and will introduce improvements to the neighboring and cherished Redwood Park.

A glimpse into a day in San Francisco

In April, I spent some time in San Francisco to gather firsthand insights on the current situation there. I visited at an ideal time, as the weather was splendid and I noticed significantly fewer instances of homelessness compared to my previous visits in recent years.

I dedicated a significant portion of one day to exploring the city, including areas like Union Square, Chinatown, and the waterfront. I never felt unsafe, which has consistently been my experience during visits there. Although panhandlers can occasionally be assertive, I encountered very little of that on my latest trip.

Regarding Chinatown, the area has been organizing night markets after dark, which have become extremely popular. This idea is now expanding to other areas, such as the Sunset District. It seems enjoyable.

For lunch, I had numerous choices at the food carts located outside the renowned waterfront Ferry Building. The massive building is home to upscale restaurants and stores, and there are also food stalls set up outside.

I visited a vendor named Chicken Box for a tasty fried chicken sandwich. The lady working there mentioned that San Francisco’s image had suffered, but it faced challenges similar to any large city. We shared our thoughts on how the media has portrayed a bleak picture of the City by the Bay.

As I previously stated, I noticed many “for lease” signs but hardly any signs of “doom.”

“Occasionally, these doom loop narratives generate their own momentum,” stated Harteveldt. “Although San Francisco has its difficulties, the city is making efforts to tackle some of them. Summer is one of the most ideal times to visit. Hotel rates are significantly more affordable. The dining scene is lively, with new restaurants emerging, suggesting they are able to secure the necessary spaces at viable prices, and they can hire staff. The culinary landscape remains one of the city’s standout attractions.”

Bottom line

“We have a lot of progress to make, but I recall that just before the pandemic, San Francisco was admired globally,” remarked journalist Tim Jue. “Every airline wanted to operate flights to SFO due to the immense prosperity and opportunities they observed. This is a city that deserves both attention and preservation.”

Having lived there before and visited often, I completely agree. This is one of the best times in my life to visit—you can find affordable flights, excellent hotel choices for under $200 per night, and avoid the crowds.

Don’t buy into the doom loop exaggeration.

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