Short trip report 7/4 - 7/7

Question

Just writing a very short trip report, mainly to aid any trepidation of fellow travellers about how the city is based on other posts/reading online.

We used SF to start our road trip and spent a few great days in your city. We were a bit apprehensive about how the city is based on some comments on here/reading online but had a brilliant time and never felt unsafe whatsoever.

Frustratingly our flight was changed on the 4th which meant we missed half a day but ended up landing during all the 4th of July fireworks which was quite something. We just took an Uber from the airport for easiness sake and checked in at the Hilton in the financial district (which was pretty nice and we have no real complaints about it at all).

On the morning of the 5th we headed to golden gate bridge and the roundhouse cafe for breakfast and for the view which was lovely. We then walked down the beautiful coastline trails to the palace of fine arts and up to the Yoda fountain which was a great way to spend the morning. Then, we headed to the maritime museum, mainly to pick up our America the beautiful passes but the museum itself was cool! Then we went to see the tram turntable and off to pier 39 for some chowder and into musee mechanique. Lastly for the day, we went back to freshen up for dinner at the Tonga room which we had been wanting to go to since seeing it on Bourdain. It was a bit expensive for what it was but we enjoyed it and had a great night.

On the 6th, we got up bright and early and headed for ocean beach café for breakfast. We then walked the beach taking in the volleyball and surfing uphill to the baths. Then done a U-turn and walked into golden gate park to see the windmills and bison. Then, a wee trip to the painted ladies and Lombard street before picking up an in n out for lunch. Walked back to the hotel and then got ready for dinner at the wayfare tavern which was great.

That's about it minus some shopping for road trip snacks and probably one or two other stops I've managed to forget due to my jet lag.

As I say, not the most in depth thing in the world but just wanted to get across that everyone we encountered whilst in your city was lovely and welcoming. We had a great time and found all reports of the problems to essentially be non-existent from the point of an early-rising tourist.

Did we see some homeless people? Yes but the only impact it had on us was making our hearts hurt for they individuals. We never felt unsafe (or no more so than in Edinburgh) and only one person was a bit "lovely" in the financial district at night time.

Thanks for all the helpful advice in advance of our trip!

Answer

Thank you for sharing your short trip report! It’s great to hear that your visit to San Francisco was enjoyable and that your apprehensions about safety did not materialize. Landing during the 4th of July fireworks must have been an unforgettable start to your trip, setting a festive tone right from the airport.

Staying at the Hilton in the Financial District is a convenient choice, giving you good access to many key attractions without needing to rely heavily on public transport. Ubering from the airport was a smart move, especially with luggage and arriving during a busy holiday period.

Your Day 1 (July 5th) itinerary sounds well-balanced, mixing scenic walks with cultural stops:

Golden Gate Bridge and Roundhouse Cafe – excellent choice for views and breakfast.
Walking along the coastline trails to the Palace of Fine Arts and Yoda Fountain – great mix of iconic sights and relaxed sightseeing.
Maritime Museum – efficient stop to get the America the Beautiful passes while enjoying the exhibits.
Pier 39 for chowder and Musée Mécanique – fun for all ages and a quintessential tourist experience.
Dinner at Tonga Room – a unique, iconic spot, even if a bit pricey, it adds to the memorable experience.

Day 2 (July 6th) continues with a mix of outdoor and iconic city experiences:

Ocean Beach Cafe for breakfast – a relaxing seaside start to the day.
Beach walk and exploring volleyball/surfing areas, then uphill to the baths – good way to enjoy the natural scenery and active time.
Golden Gate Park – visiting the windmills and bison adds a tranquil and educational element.
Painted Ladies and Lombard Street – essential San Francisco sights, good for quick photos and a classic experience.
In-N-Out for lunch – a casual, local favorite that kids and adults alike enjoy.
Dinner at Wayfare Tavern – quality dinner experience to close the day nicely.

Overall, your itinerary balances walking, sightseeing, dining, and a bit of relaxation. For a short trip of 3–4 days, it is well-paced and covers a lot of iconic San Francisco experiences without feeling rushed. The fact that you found the city welcoming and safe is encouraging for other travelers who may read your report.

Your observation about homelessness is realistic: seeing it does not necessarily impact your safety, and your compassionate note is important for travelers to understand the human aspect. Overall, it sounds like your family had a wonderful, memorable trip while efficiently using your time and resources.