IPA Region 9 San Francisco Visitor Information
WEATHER: The weather is generally mild, in the summer it gets foggy, windy and chilly. Bring a jacket when you come and take it whenever you go out. It maybe sunny and warm during the day but generally by 4:00pm the wind and fog rolls into the City from the ocean and it can get quite chilly because of the wind from the ocean. Summer in San Francisco is always foggy and cold. The warmest time of the year for us is mid October to mid December. It rains during the winter months between mid December and end of March. The famous writer, Mark Twain said, "The coldest winter I spent was a summer in San Francisco".
DRIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO. You should be aware that traveling by car is very difficult in SF. The City was founded on June 29, 1776. So the streets downtown are old and narrow. Street parking in the tourist and downtown areas are rare. Traffic are not allowed on the main street running through downtown (Market Street). Parallel streets along Market Street are generally congested. Parking lots or private garages are very expensive. If you get a parking violation ticket, the lowest fine is $80 (parking meter) the most expensive is $480 (Handicap & Bus Stop). During the rush hours in the morning and afternoon there are many tow away zones. If your car is towed away it will cost you $450 to get it out of the tow yard plus the cost of the parking ticket. The yearly revenue for the city just from parking violation fines is $16 million and parking tickets are a money maker for the City.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The best way to travel is by public transit, best to get a San Francisco MTA Muni Visitor’s Passport. The Passport allows unlimited rides on all Muni buses, Market Street Historical Trolley, the underground Metro (subway) and Cable Cars. Muni Visitor Passports 3 days, $31 for an electronic passport, or $36 for a paper passport. Get a Muni Passport for unlimited rides at the SF Visitors Information Center, lower level, Halladie Plaza at Market/Powell Streets, TIX Bay Area in Union Square, and Montgomery Metro Station. Prices are subject to change and may not be accurate at the time you are reading this. Link: sfmta.com/passport to get the current price for a passport. You can also purchase these Muni Transit passports at downtown and Fisherman's Wharf Walgreen's Stores.
Crime & Safety 2022: we want you to enjoy your holiday (vacation) in san francisco. but you should be aware that Currently San Francisco (and los angeles) are facing a serious crime wave. san francisco city politicians have Defunded the police budget by $120M in protest against the minneapolis police killing of George Floyd and in support of the national progressive agenda of “police reform” in 2021. the san francisco police department has a serious morale problem that is being ignored. police officers are quitting the job or retiring early in record numbers. Added on to this “bail reform”, also the recently elected Leftist Progressive District Attorney who refuses to prosecute criminals for property crimes but will not hesitate to prosecute police officers for any reason. by Decriminalizing criminal behaviors and reclassifying them as mental health issues…you now have a perfect storm for a crime wave that is currently gripping San Francisco and los angeles.
currently, San francisco police is short 600+ police officers. all of the above issues have its consequences on our safety and security in the city. The police unions (both in San francisco and Los angeles) have said on TV news interviews, “if you come to California we (police) can not guarantee your safety”. so take your precautions, be aware of your surroundings, do not wear expensive watches or jewelry, do not leave any valuables in your car. in san francisco alone, Over 30,000 cars were broken into last year. if you must drive then leave nothing in your car. preferably, take public transportation or uber or a lyft to get to your destination instead of driving. if you see a crime in progress call the police by dialing 9-1-1. but be aware you will have a 15 to 30 minute wait time before they arrive. stay out of the tenderloin neighborhood next to downtown sf. Be aware, be prepared, be sober, and be safe.
Crime Wave in San Francisco
https://californiaglobe.com/articles/san-francisco-a-city-in-denial-about-crime-and-police/amp/?fbclid=IwAR1C1w804pR8xvFBApFU_rEc9fnK_4HdQOKFjW7JY_9dCiS2l18V4GZ8J60
Car Break Epidemic In San Francisco
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/breaking-point-sf-suffers-highest-rate-of-car-break-ins-compared-to-atlanta-dc-dallas-la/2731757/?amp&fbclid=IwAR0Hs3mNmF8pYFRNkWMv-UOkyrWu13Fi4fU7e5XJIgkktCB4p4I7pis1noo
https://abc7news.com/lombard-st-car-break-in-man-flung-onto-street-sf-caught-on-video-hyde-ins/11649478/
Los Angeles/Southern California
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/authorities-warn-violent-robberies-on-the-rise-in-southern-california/
SITES TO SEE:
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE: The view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands has been named one of the best views in America by US News. You can walk across the bridge from the San Francisco side or take the Muni bus #28 to Vista Point.
BAY BRIDGE and FERRY BUILDING: The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge holds the title of longest high-level bridge in the world at 8.4 miles. You will get an excellent view of the Bay Bridge from the historic Ferry Building which is worth exploring while you are there. FERRY BUILDING: Located at the northern end of Market Street, the clock tower, modeled after 12th century Giralda bell tower in Seville, Spain, is one of the most prominent points in the city's skyline. Once built as a transit terminal, today the Ferry Building houses one of the city's best farmer's market and many artisan, delicious food options within its beautiful interior.
CABLE CARS: These historic vehicles are not self-powered; rather they move using a mechanism that grips cables that run beneath San Francisco's streets. The three cable lines are: Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Street
LOMBARD STREET: Known as the "Most Crooked Street in the World". Take the Hyde Street Cable Car and get off on Lombard Street.
UNION SQUARE: One of San Francisco's main shopping retail and cultural center downtown. Visit the Westfield Mall nearby on Market Street and Powell Street (across from the cable car turnaround).
HAIGHT ASHBURY: Famous for it’s hippie era “Summer of Love” of the late 1960s. In the mid-1960s, the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets was a frequent hangout for activists such as Allen Ginsberg and Abbie Hoffman. Though it still maintains a slightly gritty, Bohemian ambiance it is now an eclectic mix of high-end boutiques; vintage clothing, book and record shops. Haight and Ashbury streets was a frequent hangout for activists such as Allen Ginsberg and Abbie Hoffman. Though it still maintains a slightly gritty, Bohemian ambiance it is now an eclectic mix of high-end boutiques; vintage clothing, book and record shops, hip restaurants and cafes, and beautifully restored Victorian homes.
PAINTED LADIES: One of the most photographed locations in San Francisco, Alamo Square's famous "postcard row" at Hayes and Steiner Streets. A tight, escalating formation of Victorian houses is back-dropped by downtown skyscrapers, providing a stunning contrast.
NORTH BEACH: It's best known as San Francisco's Little Italy, with its high density of check-clothed ristorantes, caffes and “old school” delicatessens. It's also a popular pilgrimage for fans of the Beat movement seeking the old haunts (City Lights Bookstore) of Kerouac and Ginsberg. COIT TOWER: Overlooks the city and bay from atop Telegraph Hill, catch the 39 Coit bus in Washington Square for easy access. Saints Peter and Paul Church know as the Italian Cathedral of the West, was featured in the movie "Dirty Harry." Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, though married at SF City Hall, posed for their wedding pictures here.
CHINATOWN: San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest in North America. It is one of the top tourist attraction is San Francisco. Grant Avenue has shops that sell jewelry, silk dresses, Chinese noodles, teas and herbal remedies. Less touristic part of Chinatown is Stockton Street between Clay and Vallejo. This street has a more authentic Chinese atmosphere with fish markets and produce stands. Visit the Chinese Historical Society. Julia Morgan, the architect of Hearst Castle and the Fairmont Hotel, also designed this 1931 building.
FISHERMAN'S WHARF and PIER 39: Last year, almost 12 million people made their way to Fisherman's Wharf. In several international surveys, it ranks as the No. 1 destination for SF-bound visitors, right ahead of Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the finest and freshest seafood can be found at Fisherman's Wharf. Pier 39 located next to Fisherman's Wharf is a bustling marketplace with more than 100 shops, bay view restaurants, street performers, and sea loins basking in the sun. Other nearby attractions are the Aquatic Park, the Buena Vista Irish Coffee Pub, the Hyde Street Cable Car Turnaround, the Cannery, Anchorage Square, Hyde Street Pier, and Ghirardelli Square. Do not leave backpack or valuables in car while car is parked. This is a hot spot for smash and grab car break in.
ALCATRAZ ISLAND: Alcatraz Cruises is the official ferry provider to Alcatraz and back. Departures start at 9:30 AM and are available every half an hour throughout the day. However, please note that these cruises frequently sell out, so plan and book your cruise in advance, especially in the summer and on holidays. Touring the island will be at your own pace and on foot. Book online: https://www.alcatraztickets.com/
TREASURE ISLAND: While on Treasure Island, look west for a breath taking view of the City's skyline. Do not leave backpack or valuables in car while car is parked. This is a hot spot for smash and grab car break in.
OCEAN BEACH/LANDS END: Located in the westside of the city, Ocean Beach, on the Pacific Ocean, offers miles of sandy beach and awesome sunset views. Do not leave backpack or valuables in car while car is parked. This is a hot spot for smash and grab car break in.
Place of Fine Arts: Located in the Marina District next to the Presidio. The building is the only remaining building from the 1918 World’s Fair. Do not leave backpack or valuables in car while car is parked. This is a hot spot for smash and grab car break in.
HOTELS
At the moment San Francisco does not have an IPA HOUSE like in Europe. There are members who will rent a room to IPA visitors. Here are a couple budget hotels that we recommend:
The Grant Hotel (Union Square area)
The Opal Hotel (Van Ness Av. & Geary St)
You may also want to view hotels in S.F. on the following websites:
www.hotels.com
PARKING RULES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Parking meters are enforced every day of the week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Hours and rates vary.
Check the meter for hours of operation. Most meters operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday exceptions (for example, in Fisherman's Wharf, near AT&T park, and on some downtown streets). Hours of operation can be viewed on the meters. Read the meters for current information. in some areas, mostly tourist or in areas where special events ,such as sporting and concerts, the parking meters will be in operations. check the meters it will tell you if its free parking or IF you have to pay.
Most meters in San Francisco have a two hour time limit, though longer time limits (four hour or no time limit) are being tested in several neighborhoods. Where there are time limits, "feeding the meter" (i.e., adding coins to extend the time beyond the legal limit) is not allowed and may result in a citation.
If you park at a broken or inoperable meter, parking is limited to the posted time limit or two hours, whichever is shorter. To report a broken meter, call 311.
There are two special types of meters: green-capped meters and red- or yellow- capped meters. Green meters have either a 15 or 30 minute time limit. Vehicles bearing disabled placards or plates are exempt from time limits for green curbs/meters. Red and yellow meters are designated for commercial loading; yellow for all commercial vehicles and red for vehicles with six or more wheels.
There is also tow away and street cleaning times, in addition to checking the meters look up at the signs for times that street has tow away or street cleaning to avoid parking tickets for those violations. just because you put money into a parking meter don't exempt you from getting your car towed away or a ticket for street cleaning.
oracle stadium and chase arena: As of spring 2015, higher special event parking rates are in effect only during special events, typically baseball games, on streets around AT&T Park. On non-event evenings, meter rates drops. See this page for a map of the AT&T Park Special Event Area and more information on special event pricing and hours.
You can get multiple parking tickets for the same parking space. If you park in a residential area that limits your car to 2 hours you will be cited for going over that 2 hour time limit. If there's street cleaning on that block that day where you are parked, you will be cited for that violation as well. And if it's rush hour and that space becomes a tow away zone (4 pm - 7pm), you will be cited for being in a tow away zone and your car will be towed away. It cost $450 to get your car out of jail and $50 an hour for each hour that your car is in the tow yard. So pay attention to the signs and parking meters if you must drive in the city. Visitors have asked this, so we will tell you that we can not fix the parking violations citations for you. IF you get a parking violation you must pay it. The Department of Parking & Traffic is under the Municipal Transportation Authority (MTA) not under the Police Department. Public transportation or uber is the best way of moving around the city. Get a Muni Passport for unlimited rides at the SF Visitors Information Center, lower level, Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell Streets, TIX Bay Area in Union Square, the Montgomery street muni Metro Station, and walgreen's stores downtown and in fisherman's wharf bay street. There are Muni maps that show which buses go where and you can also ask the driver which buses to take.