Ignore the doom loop narrative: San Francisco is still a fantastic place to visit
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I'm tired of hearing all the negativity about San Francisco.
For years, the media has relentlessly painted a bleak picture of the City by the Bay. From The New York Times to the Financial Times, stories have warned of a so-called 'doom loop,' where issues like drug abuse, homelessness, and crime are supposedly driving businesses and residents away.
But my recent visits suggest that the situation is nowhere near as bad as it's been made out to be.
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In fact, I'd say now is an excellent time to visit San Francisco and the Bay Area. Flights from many major U.S. cities are reasonably priced, and hotels — especially luxury ones — offer great deals compared to places like New York and Miami. Additionally, the city isn't overrun with tourists, and San Francisco continues to be one of America's top cities, flaws and all.
I spoke with locals who don't recognize the city based on how it's depicted in the media, or they believe the stories are greatly exaggerated. Plus, after spending a few days in San Francisco, I can confirm how stunning the city still is and saw plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about its future.
San Francisco remains one of the most iconic cities in the world
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San Francisco is globally renowned for a reason. With fewer than a million residents, the city offers so much more than its size suggests. Breathtaking views, perfect weather, and world-class museums make it one of the top destinations in the U.S.
For me, the ultimate tourist experiences in San Francisco include riding the iconic cable cars as they climb the city's steep hills, browsing the upscale shops around Union Square, enjoying the breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the waterfront, and visiting Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach, where you can spot the Transamerica Pyramid rising above the skyline. And the best part? All of these attractions are within easy walking distance.
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Although it's a bit touristy, one of my favorite activities is visiting the seal colony at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.
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Take a scenic hike up to Coit Tower, located in the upscale Telegraph Hill neighborhood, for sweeping 360-degree views of San Francisco Bay.
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The city is also home to the stunning Palace of Fine Arts, located in the scenic Marina District, which is a favorite spot for Instagrammers.
San Francisco boasts an impressive collection of 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, there are at least 42 museums to explore.
Golden Gate Park stretches over a thousand acres right in the heart of the city, home to the de Young Museum, the San Francisco Botanical Garden (with its Victorian arboretum), the Japanese Tea Garden, and the California Academy of Sciences, which houses a renowned aquarium and dinosaur exhibits. The park ends at the scenic Ocean Beach. It's the perfect place to spend a full day discovering all its treasures.
No trip to the city is truly complete without snapping some photos of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. If you're up for it, you can walk all the way across to Marin — a journey I highly recommend.
San Francisco certainly faces some significant challenges
"San Francisco has some major issues to tackle," said Tim Jue, a San Francisco-based aviation and travel reporter. "I see them every day in my work and life here. Homelessness, safety concerns, an empty downtown, vacant shops, and the steep cost of living — these are the realities that residents face."
Indeed, during my recent visits, this was the most concerning sight: vacant storefronts scattered throughout the city, even in high-traffic areas like Union Square.
Even major retailers like Nordstrom have shut their doors, leaving behind a vacant flagship store in a prominent Market Street mall.
I was shocked to learn that the Macy's store in Union Square, where I worked during my 20s, will be closing its doors by the end of 2024.
"This city has always had its cycles of boom and bust, going back to the Gold Rush days," said Jue. "San Francisco has a long history of reinventing itself, driving economic revolutions, enjoying success, and then experiencing a crash. The people of this resilient city always find a way to rebuild, and I believe we're seeing progress in that direction."
Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research, a travel industry analysis firm, shares Jue's perspective.
"Are we out of the woods in San Francisco? Not yet. But we’re getting close," he said. "San Francisco is a major city, just like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, and no matter where you are, it's always important to stay aware of your surroundings."
As a frequent visitor and former resident, I can confirm that some areas, such as parts of Market Street, the Tenderloin, and Civic Center, tend to have more visible homelessness. However, that doesn't make these neighborhoods off-limits. Just stay alert and use your common sense.
"I'm not going to advise people to avoid any neighborhoods," said Harteveldt. However, he added, "I don't want to sound elitist. I would encourage people to stay alert, particularly if they've been drinking."
Harteveldt, a San Francisco resident, mentioned that violent crime is down and noted that "the homelessness issue does seem to be improving slightly."
During my visit in April, I was pleasantly surprised to see far fewer homeless people on the streets. Perhaps I was fortunate, but homelessness has always been a major issue in San Francisco. It was a significant concern even when I lived there in the 1990s.
Despite the city spending hundreds of millions on homelessness, the problem grew by 7% in 2024. However, street camping has declined considerably. According to KQED, "Although the total number of homeless individuals has increased, the number of those sleeping in tents, cars, and RVs — or 'unsheltered homelessness' — decreased by 1% since 2022 and 16% since 2019."
Crime rates in San Francisco have actually decreased. The city reported that property crime is down 32%, and violent crime has dropped by 14% compared to the first quarter of 2023. An analysis of police data by the San Francisco Chronicle found that almost every neighborhood in the city saw a reduction in reported crime during the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
These changes come as the city enforces a new law. Proposition E, which took effect in April, has equipped police officers with new technology, such as drones and body cameras, and revised policies to increase the police presence on the streets and improve efforts to catch criminals.
"San Francisco continues to captivate the world with its unparalleled views, landmarks, exciting events, delicious food scene, and vibrant cultural offerings," said Mayor London Breed in a statement to Dinogo. "I'm proud of the strides we've made in economic recovery and public safety, ensuring our city remains a top destination for visitors from near and far, with unique and fun attractions that bring them back time and time again."
Right now, hotels in San Francisco are a great deal.
I checked the prices for a long weekend in August, when the city enjoys mild temperatures with an average high of 68°F and a low of 55°F (and no rain). The prices are surprisingly affordable, even during the peak summer travel season.
For World of Hyatt members, one of my top picks is the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, where you can stay for just $176 per night (including a $35 nightly destination fee). If you'd prefer to be closer to the waterfront, check out the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, which is priced at only $249 a night with fees included. The Hyatt Regency holds a special place in my heart since I attended my high school prom there — it's a fantastic hotel. The Regency Club, located on the top floor, offers breathtaking views of the city and is definitely worth the splurge.
Another great option in the city is The Westin St. Francis San Francisco, located right on Union Square. For that same weekend, you can stay in the heart of the city for just $152 a night, which includes a $30 nightly destination fee.
There are many other Marriott Bonvoy properties to consider, including the San Francisco Marriott Marquis for $170 a night, the W San Francisco for $220, the St. Regis for $448, and the Ritz-Carlton for $397.
The iconic Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, located on Market Street, offers rates under $200 a night. Alternatively, the world-renowned Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill is available for $353 a night.
The Hilton San Francisco Union Square is priced under $200 a night, and the InterContinental San Francisco comes in at just $188 per night, including a $35 fee. Another classic option is the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco on Nob Hill, which is available for $206 a night, all fees included.
These deals are hard to beat. If you've ever dreamed of a luxury stay in a world-class city, now is the perfect time to book your getaway.
"San Francisco has always been one of my favorite cities in the world," said John E. DiScala, founder and editor-in-chief of Johnny Jet. "While it may take a little while for the city to fully recover to its former glory, if you're looking to save on hotels, now is the perfect time to visit."
There are plenty of affordable flights to San Francisco.
Flights to the San Francisco Bay Area are both plentiful and budget-friendly.
I checked flight prices for that same weekend from several U.S. cities. For instance, a long weekend from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) can be booked for under $200.
If you're flying in from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), you can get a weekend trip for just $250. From Miami International Airport (MIA), it'll cost you only $179. And if you're coming from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), you're looking at just $177.
If you've ever considered a trip to San Francisco, now is the perfect time to go.
San Francisco is showing promising signs of recovery.
The rise of artificial intelligence is sparking a new tech boom in the Bay Area. San Francisco currently leads the nation with the highest number of AI-related jobs. OpenAI recently signed a massive lease in the thriving Mission Bay neighborhood, marking the largest lease in the area in five years. According to The Washington Post, around $18 billion is being invested in AI and machine learning startups in the city, with many locals drawing comparisons to the early days of the dot-com boom.
There are early indications of a real estate recovery in San Francisco as well.
A developer has recently made a bold, billion-dollar investment in the revamped Transamerica Pyramid, the iconic skyscraper located in the Embarcadero district. This same developer is also planning two new buildings in the area and will soon reveal renovations to the beloved Redwood Park next door.
A glimpse of a day in San Francisco.
During a recent visit to San Francisco in April, I got an up-close look at the city. The weather was perfect, and I was relieved to see fewer homeless people compared to previous trips.
I spent most of one day exploring the city, walking through Union Square, Chinatown, and the waterfront. I never felt unsafe, which has always been my experience in San Francisco. Although panhandling can sometimes be aggressive, I encountered very little of it during this visit.
Chinatown has been hosting lively night markets, which have quickly become a favorite attraction. The idea is now spreading to other parts of the city, including the Sunset District. It sounds like a lot of fun!
For lunch, I had plenty of choices at food carts stationed outside the iconic Ferry Building along the waterfront. Inside the massive structure, you'll find upscale dining options and shops, while outside there’s an array of food stalls to explore.
I grabbed a tasty fried chicken sandwich from a vendor named Chicken Box. The woman running the stall mentioned how San Francisco’s reputation had taken a hit, though she noted that it’s facing many of the same challenges as other major cities. We shared a moment of frustration over how the media has painted such a bleak picture of the City by the Bay.
As I’ve said before, while there are certainly plenty of "for lease" signs around, I didn’t find the city to be as dire as some portray it.
"Sometimes these doom loop stories create their own weather systems," observed Harteveldt. "While San Francisco does face its fair share of challenges, the city is actively tackling them. Summer is an ideal time to visit — hotel prices are more affordable, the restaurant scene is thriving with new openings, and it’s clear that businesses are still finding the space and staff they need. The food scene remains one of the city's greatest assets."
Bottom line
"There’s still a lot of work to do, but I keep remembering that just before the pandemic, San Francisco was a global model of success," said journalist Tim Jue. "Airlines from all over the world were eager to fly to SFO because they saw a booming economy and vast opportunities. This city is worth visiting and preserving."
As someone who has lived in and visited San Francisco often, I couldn’t agree more. Now is one of the best times to come — cheap flights, hotel rooms under $200 a night, and far fewer crowds make it a great opportunity to experience the city.
Don't buy into the doom and gloom narrative.
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
Evaluation :
5/5