Solo Female Travel in San Francisco

San Francisco, located on the west coast of the United States in the state of California, is a city famed for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, exuberant cultural diversity, and timeless Victorian architecture. Nestled on a hilly landscape surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, it offers panoramic vistas, cool sea breezes, and a vibrant street life. The city is also renowned for its historic cable cars, colorful Fisherman's Wharf, bustling Chinatown, captivating Alcatraz Island, and the sprawling Golden Gate Park. With burgeoning technology, art, and culinary scenes, San Francisco proffers an eclectic mix that enchants every wanderlust.

Travel rating

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Travel index

Safety:Safe

San Francisco is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. It boasts of diversity, a friendly community, and ample public transportation options which make traveling across the city easier and safe. However, like any other city, it carries certain risks and has areas like the Tenderloin District where it's advisable to be extra cautious, especially at night. It is recommended to keep an eye on your personal belongings due to occasional pickpocketing in crowded areas.

Transport:Easy

San Francisco is a relatively easy city to navigate for solo female travelers. It is a compact city with a well-laid out grid system, making it fairly simple to figure out directions. While the city's infamous hills may prove a bit daunting, particularly when walking, alternative options such as bicycling, rideshares or the city's own public transportation are quite abundant and convenient. You should exercise caution in certain parts of the city during the evening. Overall, traveling around the city and exploring its different neighborhoods is a relatively smooth process.

Things to do:Fascinating

San Francisco has a myriad of activities suitable for solo female travelers. You can indulge in the culinary scene and enjoy a variety of cuisines from all over the world. Explore neighborhoods like Chinatown, Mission District, or Haight Ashbury for a mix of culture, art, and historic landmarks. There's also Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, which offer stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Nature lovers will enjoy Muir Woods and Golden Gate Park. For tech enthusiasts, the city offers a glimpse into the heart of the tech industry with numerous tech company headquarters. San Francisco truly caters to a wide range of interests.

Food:Excellent

San Francisco is known globally for its incredibly diverse food scene. The city functions as a melting pot where you can find just about anything your palate craves, be it authentic Asian cuisines, robust Mediterranean foods, or exotic Latin American dishes. Fresh local produce is a cornerstone of the culinary scene, with seafood being a particular highlight. The city boasts an impressive array of street food markets, food festivals, and gourmet grocery stores selling ingredients from around the world, further enhancing its food diversity. Whether you relish experimenting with exotic flavors or prefer homely comfort food, San Francisco has something to delight every culinary adventurer.

Budget:Expensive

San Francisco is known for its high cost of living, which translates into high costs for tourists as well. Accommodation, dining, sightseeing, and transportation can be expensive. Although there are budget-friendly options available such as hostels, free sightseeing spots, and affordable food locations, overall, it remains one of the more expensive US cities to visit. However, the cultural experiences, sightseeing opportunities, and natural beauty may make it worth the financial investment for some travelers.

Is San Francisco worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.9 /5

based on 10 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

3.9/5

Safety

3.5/5

Food

3.9/5

Budget-friendly

2.6/5

Solo travel experience

For my first solo trip, I went to San Francisco. Of course, with any city, there are sketchy areas to avoid, but generally, I felt really safe. The city is very easy to navigate and I was able to get around quite easily.

Posted: February 8, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5
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Diana

Diana (26)

United States

Solo travel experience

It was fairly safe! Although, I went back to my hostel when it got dark and I used Uber half the time for transportation. If you love seafood, I highly recommend Swan Osyter Depot (get there as early as you can because the wait can take long)! For dim sum, I recommend Good Mong Kok Bakery! If you like relaxing and sightseeing, just walking through Crissy Field East Beach is calm ans scenic. stayed at Green Tortoise hostel. šŸ¢ The staff and people there were friendly! The hostel was calm and cozy even though it was next to bars and nightclubs. Absolutely enjoyed my time there overall!

Posted: January 23, 2024Experienced: November, 2023
Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 3/5
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Shynar

Shynar

Spain

Group travel experience

After my Work and Travel program in USA I have saved some money to travel to other states and big metropolitans. San Francisco was one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities iā€™ve ever seen! Me and my friend were staying in the city for 3 days but I recommend staying more if you have time. They have one of the most beautiful ChinaTown in the States because itā€™s the oldest one. I recommend taking more time to explore ChinaTown, vintage shops and authentic asian restaurants! I would also recommend visiting JapanTown and Golden Gate Park! The safety is moderate, and I would not recommend traveling at night alone.

Posted: December 20, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 3/5
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Couple travel experience

I spent two days in San Francisco in August. I must mention that the weather was surprisingly cool, so you should take long clothes even in August. We slept in the Zeppelin Hotel, cute and pleasant. A beautiful and interesting city, I enjoyed the walk along the boardwalk, lots of shops and restaurants. I highly recommend going up for an amazing view of the whole city from the Coit tower, it was amazing!

Posted: November 24, 2023Experienced: July, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I was in San Francisco alone and mainly traveled by buses and walked on foot. I found this place to be very safe, although of course there are many homeless people with mental health problems there, but none of them approached me.

Posted: July 8, 2023
Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I definitely advise against going to the Tenderloin area alone. I felt safe everywhere else, but after just a few blocks in the wrong direction, I was followed and accosted several times. I highly recommend visiting Alcatraz, but make sure to buy tickets in advance as they always sell out quickly.

Posted: May 19, 2023
Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

When I went alone to San Francisco, I rented a car and drove along the coast on route number 1. It was stunning. But most importantly, I spent the night in Half Moon Bay, and it was absolutely the best decision I made during my entire trip. It's a small seaside town south of San Francisco, with amazing seafood and beautiful views of cliffs and beaches. I definitely recommend stopping in this town.

Posted: April 9, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Local tips

San francisco is safe for woman! Of course be careful at night walking in certain neighborhoods like the tenderloin. I would also avoid taking BART after 10pm, muni should be okay if necessary. Try to spend as much of your visit outside!

Posted: April 20, 2024
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- San Francisco is very safe for women - the city is expensive but there are tons of budget-friendly things to do ā€” the city is very walkable and just walking around the city is a great way to explore. From SOMA to Chinatown to Northbeach to the Marina or a walk through the Golden Gate Park and the many exhibits and sightseeing to do there - the coffee scene here is amazing and in the mission specifically there are many shops, taquerias, and restaurants - the transportation is efficient and helps you get around the Bay Area with ease

Posted: November 24, 2023
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Very safe. Lots to see. Weather doesnā€™t get too hot. Lots of hiking trails and scenic spots. Lots of weekend getaways available. Lots of vegan/ vegetarian food available. Can fly to other U.S. states to get further experiences.

Posted: October 25, 2023
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Do not leave absolutely anything in your car. Do not carry all your cards with you when you're out and about. Stash some cards in your suitcase at the hotel. Take a photo of your ID in case you lose it when you're out and about. When passing by the homeless, simply mind your own business. Keep a focused view. Try to cross to the other side of the street. They usually mind their own business, as long as you respect them. Do not keep your wallet or phone in your pockets at all. Use a side bag, but place its front on your front. The bag should not hang alone anywhere. San Francisco is really a unique place. If you can ignore the homeless, you will have a great time. There are so many beautiful places, unique bars and restaurants with delicious food to try out.

Posted: October 12, 2023
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Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge (you can walk or ride a bike) and Lands End (for great views of the bridge) are all great things to do. SF MOMA, if you like art, Pier 39 and Ferry Building are fantastic places to spend time and eat, and the Cal Academy of Sciences is amazing! The Palace of Fine Arts is also incredibly beautiful.

Posted: July 21, 2022
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San Francisco is home to many world-renowned attractions, including the Golden Gate, Chinatown, Alcatraz Island, and Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf. The Hop On Hop Off bus tour is the most popular way to visit these places, but don't miss the San Francisco Bay either, where there are various boat tour options.

Posted: June 26, 2022
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There are many homeless people in the city, using drugs, and also dealing with mental health issues on the streets, but I don't consider it a city full of violence. I would certainly advise against staying in the Tenderloin, Civic Center, or Union Square areas, mainly because the streets there are really dirty. If you're planning to stay in a hotel, I recommend Japantown, Nob Hill or the Fishermanā€™s Wharf/Embarcadero area. Hotels are scattered throughout the city, but the areas I listed offer a lot of options. When it comes to Airbnb, there are many great neighborhoods where you can stay. The De Young Museum has several wonderful exhibits. Golden Gate park is always nice, if the weather is good. I always suggest setting aside one day to travel north from San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, toward Muir Woods to see the giant sequoias.

Posted: May 25, 2022
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Meet locals in San Francisco

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Julia

Julia

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Hey ladies! Iā€™m Julia and moving into a crypto nomad phase of life. Previously I was philosophy & cs at Harvard, founded and failed my own edutech startup and seriously competed in Latin dance once upon a time. Have always wanted to join a community of sisters and super looking forward to meeting you :D

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LA

LA

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Based in the US but love travelling every year. It's hard to pick my next destination. My favorite things are to wander around, get lost in a new place, and eat all the delicious food.

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Savyon

Savyon

San Francisco

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello! I am eager to begin a several month traveling adventure. To kick off my trip, I am hoping to spend some time in different cities and get advice on where to go from locals! I am low maintenance, understanding, clean, and communicative.

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Maribeth

Maribeth

San Francisco

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3 days

About me

Hi - Iā€™ve lived in San Francisco for 42 years - I know this city & beyond Very Well - from NY originally - have traveled extensively- am all about food & wine - have 2 grown sons

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Upcoming visitors to San Francisco

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Erin

Erin

About Me

Hello, my name is Erin. Iā€™m 28 and visiting San Francisco from 23-28 April for the San Francisco International Film Festival. I am looking for accommodation during this period. :)

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