San Francisco has its gems, but not every part of the city makes for a good stay. The worst places to stay in San Francisco aren't always obvious. Some travelers may overlook the city's hidden gems and instead book rooms in well-known areas, which can include locations with high noise pollution, a high crime rate, or inadequate transit options.
What seems like a great deal on a map can quickly turn into a regrettable choice once you're checking in. There are neighborhoods where the charm fades fast, replaced by stress and second-guessing. Travelers often learn the hard way, especially those unfamiliar with the city's layout. This list is not meant to scare you off but to help you steer clear of places that can easily spoil the experience. A smart stay starts with knowing where not to book, and these are the places to avoid.
1. The Presidio/ Near Golden Gate Bridge
Many tourists and prospective residents of San Francisco believe that the Golden Gate Bridge is conveniently located near the city center. It isn't. It's quite far away. The Presidio, located in the region surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge, is a massive nature park that was once a military base.
It's breathtaking and an excellent area for hiking or watching the sunset at Land's End. But if you want to tour San Francisco, you shouldn't stay there. It is quite remote and takes a long time to reach by public transport. We only recommend staying here if you want peace & quiet, nature, solitude, and quick access to the Marin Headlands.
2. Tenderloin
Tenderloin, particularly south of the Civic Centre, is widely regarded as the most notorious neighborhood downtown. It’s one of the worst places to stay in San Francisco. Because Tenderloin is close to popular squares and neighborhoods like Market Street, Union Square, and Nob Hill, you may pass by it momentarily. This neighborhood is experiencing gentrification, or urban redevelopment, in certain places.
However, if you don't want to take any unnecessary risks, we strongly advise you to stay away from it. Although locals generally warn against going too far south of California Avenue, the most dangerous locations are around Olive Street, Turk Street, and Taylor Street. As if that weren't enough, the Tenderloin has a larger number of homeless people than the rest of the city. This is because the neighborhood has places that provide food and aid to people living on the streets, particularly around the intersection of Taylor and Ellis.
3. The Castro
Castro is one of San Francisco's most dangerous neighborhoods. The Castro, located in San Francisco's Eureka Valley area, is a historic enclave and one of the country's earliest LGBTQ neighborhoods. It does, however, have a high crime rate, as do several parts of San Francisco.
The Castro's overall crime rate is 253% greater than the national average, with 8,200 incidents per 100,000 population. There is a 124% increase in violent crime and a 277% increase in property crime compared to the rest of the nation. You have a 1 in 13 risk of becoming a victim of a crime in the Castro, where shootings, robberies, stabbings, and assaults are pretty regular.
4. North Beach
The North Beach neighborhood in San Francisco is considered unsafe. It’s one of the worst places to stay in San Francisco. Many Italian Americans reside in the neighborhood, which is conveniently located near Downtown San Francisco, Russian Hill, and Chinatown. Although North Beach is a well-liked tourist destination and is generally safe during the day, tourists are advised to take caution due to the high crime rate. The likelihood of being a victim of a crime is 1 in 17, and the overall crime rate is 160% greater than the national average. While violent crime is 64% more than the national average, property crime is also 179% higher.
5. Inner or Outer Mission
The Mission is San Francisco's Latino neighborhood. The neighborhood's well-known murals, which depict concepts and images primarily associated with Mexican culture, are among the attractions that can persuade you to visit. If you want to remain in Mission, we recommend finding rooms on the West Side.
The Mission District gets less secure the farther east you go. The neighborhoods north of the neighborhood, near SoMa, are also dangerous. You must use considerable caution near Valencia and Guerrero streets. While there are some very magnificent paintings worth visiting, possibly in the middle of the day, this region is unfortunately popular for violence, theft, and robbery. You should completely avoid this location after 9 p.m.
6. Inner or Outer Sunset
The Sunset, along with the Richmond neighborhood, is one of San Francisco's suburban areas, and it is home to many residents of the city. Many unwary immigrants and tourists are drawn to stay in this area. Indeed, it's a charming neighborhood name. Even though it’s one of the walkable neighborhoods in the United States, it’s one of the worst places to stay in San Francisco.
Yes, it is adjacent to Ocean Beach and the San Francisco coast. Indeed, there is excellent food, particularly Asian food (the dumplings are delicious), as well as a charming local flair and cultural atmosphere. And, yes, you will be near the gorgeous Golden Gate Park, one of San Francisco's top attractions. But we don't recommend staying at the Sunset! Because it is so far away. San Francisco is a small city of about 7×7 square miles.
However, for some reason, getting into and out of the Sunset using any mode of public transportation takes a considerable amount of time. Additionally, a thick, heavy, wet, freezing-cold blanket of fog covers the entire area for all but two hours of the day. If you wish to avoid getting completely soaked while walking to your lodging after 6 p.m., consider choosing a location with warmer temperatures.
7. SoMa
Market Street, which runs from Embarcadero to Castro, is a lengthy roadway that passes through the center of San Francisco. If you are traveling from the airport to Powell Street Station, you will undoubtedly pass through it. It is a short distance from Union Square, which marks the start of downtown San Francisco.
Powell Street and Fifth Street have cable car stops, which are constantly busy. It appears to be a reasonably safe area. However, south of Market Street lies an ancient industrial sector, which, despite well-intentioned efforts to restore it, remains somewhat hazardous. We advise you to use extra caution when traveling south on the streets between 4th and 10th. “We would recommend that you stay away from the remainder of SoMa, but the streets between 4th and the Embarcadero are safer.
8. Ocean View
This is also one of the worst places to stay in San Francisco. Ocean View is located in the city's south, with a population of approximately 7,000 people. In the 1980s, the neighborhood experienced significant urban deterioration and became a major center for violent crime and drug trafficking.
Despite a decline in violence brought about by civic improvements, Oceanview remains one of San Francisco's most criminally active neighborhoods. Both the overall and violent crime rates are 255% and 195% higher than the national average, respectively. The likelihood of you becoming a victim of a crime is 1 in 15.
9. Fisherman's Wharf
This is one of the most popular places to stay in San Francisco, but you can take a hard pass on it. It’s one of the worst places to stay in San Francisco. Sure, it's an iconic spot, and clam chowder in a bread bowl is always available, as are other San Francisco favorites such as Ghirardelli Square, Musee Mecanique, Buena Vista Cafe, Boudin Bakery, and the seals at Pier 39. However, it is also extremely congested, packed with visitors, and fails to capture the true spirit of San Francisco beyond what you may find on a magnet or mug. Additionally, the hotels in this area are pretty expensive.
10. Hunters Point
Hunters Point is another neighborhood in San Francisco that should be avoided. It is near the Port of San Francisco, is home to 3,534 residents, and has a remarkably high crime rate. Hazardous waste spills and toxic leaks have impacted communities in Hunters Point, and the area has been impoverished for decades. In 2022, more than 1,000 burglaries and over 4,000 assaults were reported.
11. Chinatown
Chinatown is one of San Francisco's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. With over 35,000 residents, Chinatown is a densely populated neighborhood situated between the Tenderloin and the financial district. It has one of the worst crime rates in the city and faces social issues like drug addiction and homelessness, while being a well-liked tourist destination.
With 6,923 crimes per 100,000 residents, Chinatown has a crime rate that is 198% greater than the national average. While the incidence of property crime is 220% higher than in the rest of the United States, the rate of violent crime is 83% higher. In Chinatown, you have a 1 in 15 chance of being a victim of a crime, and pickpockets are particularly prevalent along Stockton Street.
Travel Safety Tips for San Francisco
Here are some helpful tips for a safer stay in San Francisco:
- The first and most obvious piece of advice is to stay away from the city's most dangerous neighborhoods. You can visit several of San Francisco's sights without worrying about anything.
- Store your valuables, cash, and phone in pockets that are more difficult for a thief to access. Using belts that have a slot for inserting money is one concept.
- Additionally, to ensure you can constantly keep an eye on your items, if you are traveling by public transit and are carrying a backpack, be sure to place it in front of your body rather than on your back.
- It is always advised to avoid the more eccentric homeless people and move on if you are not sure how to act around them.
- Consider going to a neighboring hotel or store if you feel threatened. Because they are used to handling these kinds of circumstances, the staff will always be willing to assist you and can offer you the best guidance on how to approach the problem.
- San Francisco isn't a warm city. It is advisable to carry a jacket, scarf, and possibly a hat. It will be very cold until 10 a.m., followed by a few lovely hours of pleasant, probably even sunny weather before 6 p.m., when it will instantly return to freezing. Throw your layers in a bag, and you're ready to go!
Conclusion
San Francisco is a city worth exploring, but where you stay can define your entire experience. The worst places to stay in San Francisco don't offer the comfort, safety, or convenience most travelers need. Avoiding the wrong neighborhoods doesn't mean missing out — it means enjoying the city with fewer headaches. Choose wisely, rest easy, and let the best parts of San Francisco leave a lasting impression. A good trip starts with the right place to call home.
