Solo Female Travel in San Francisco

Couple travel experience

I visited San Francisco in December 2023 and stayed with my husband. It was a great trip, the weather was great. We went on long drives along the coast and we saw migratory butterflies, seals, and sea lions. There are many good hikes around the area and beaches as well.

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.

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. 🐢 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!

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 i’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 it’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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

I feel San Francisco is safe for women when it comes to gender related crimes. But recently there have been cases of thefts and car break ins and muggings. And the number of these cases have been going up. Overall I feel safe in most areas. Some areas to avoid would be Tenderloin especially after dark.

It’s not safe but it’s beautiful. It’s a major city and you just have to be wise about your safety. Don’t leave anything in your car and ask people which neighborhoods to walk in at night that’s safe

As a woman you can walk around while taking common precautions. Avoid the Tenderloin at all costs. Marina, Cow Hollow, Russian Hill, Haight-Ashbury, the Mission (Dolores Park, Valencia St) are fun! Recommend walking/ public transportation/ uber/ lyft/ waymo to get around. Do not rent a car; expensive, limited parking and risky as car break ins are common).

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!

- San Francisco is very safe for women - the city is expensive but there are tons of budget-friendly things to do — 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

Very safe. Lots to see. Weather doesn’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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Fisherman’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.