A First-Timer's Guide to Visiting San Francisco for Family

Living in Foster City means San Francisco is right there — about 30 minutes up the 101 on a good day (an hour and a half on a bad one, because Bay Area traffic is its own special kind of suffering). Sophie and I go into the city fairly regularly, and I've also taken visiting friends and family there multiple times. So I've picked up a few things that I wish someone had told me before my first visit.

I should say upfront: SF is a city I have complicated feelings about. It's beautiful, culturally rich, and has some of the best food I've eaten outside of Singapore. But it's also changed a lot, and not all of it for the better. This guide tries to be honest about both sides.

The City Has Changed

I don't want to sugarcoat this. San Francisco isn't as clean as the postcards suggest, and the homelessness situation — particularly people dealing with mental health and substance issues — is something you'll see, especially downtown. Coming from Singapore, where the streets are spotless and public order is tightly managed, this was genuinely shocking to me at first. It's something to be aware of, especially if you're visiting with kids.

Safety First

Be sensible. Don't leave anything visible in your car (break-ins are rampant — I'm talking about even a phone charger cable attracting attention). Be aware of your surroundings in the evening. I don't want to scare you off, because most of SF is perfectly fine, but a bit of caution goes a long way.

The Microclimate Thing Is Real

I have to admit, I didn't believe people when they told me about SF's microclimates. Then I walked from the sunny Mission to the foggy Sunset in the same afternoon and nearly froze. Always bring layers. Always. Even if it's July. Especially if it's July :P

Before You Land: Get a Data SIM Card

If you're visiting from overseas and plan to use Uber from the airport, sort out a data SIM card before you arrive. The ones at SFO are overpriced. Having mobile data makes everything easier — navigation, ride-hailing, finding restaurants, staying connected.

Where to Stay

Your neighborhood choice makes a huge difference. From my experience:

Areas I'd Avoid

Tenderloin: High crime rate. Just skip it.
Near Pier 39: Overpriced, touristy, and honestly not that interesting once you've seen the sea lions.
Lower Nob Hill and areas beyond 4th Street: Higher homeless population, can feel sketchy at night.

Budget-Friendly Options

Mission Bay: An emerging area, relatively affordable, and close to Oracle Park.
Harrison Street (near Oracle Park): Convenient and budget-friendly.

If You Want to Splurge

Russian Hill: Upscale, scenic, and close to great restaurants.
Sunset: Quieter, safer, family-friendly.

Getting Around

Renting a Car

If you're used to driving in flat cities (like Singapore), be prepared for SF's hills. They are steep. Like, "I'm not sure my rental car can make it up this" steep. Parking is a nightmare — look for secured parking garages with gated entries and check Google Maps reviews. Car break-ins are not a joke here.

Uber

Convenient but it adds up fast. A ride from SF to Mountain View (where Google is) can cost a surprising amount. Fine for short trips around the city though.

Public Transport

BART and Muni cover most of the city and are generally reliable. If you're on a budget, this is the way to go. Just be mindful of your belongings, especially on crowded trains.

I'm Skipping the Tourist Spots

You can Google "things to do in San Francisco" and get a million listicles. I'm not going to compete with those. What I will say is: Fisherman's Wharf is overcrowded, Golden Gate Park is underrated, and the best dim sum in SF is in the Richmond District (fight me on this).

A Few More Tips

Food: Dining out is expensive, but the diversity is incredible. Vietnamese food here is solid (though I'm biased). Japanese, Mexican, and Chinese food are all excellent.
Walking: Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. Those hills will destroy your feet otherwise.
Tipping: Standard is 15-20% at restaurants. Coming from Singapore where tipping isn't really a thing, this took some getting used to.

More National Parks Guides

Read our complete guide: The Expat Family's Guide to US National Parks (2026) — covering all 26 parks we've visited, road trip routes, costs, and tips for international visitors.

Bottom Line

SF is a city of contrasts — stunning beauty next to gritty reality. I think it's absolutely worth visiting, especially for expats who want to understand the Bay Area beyond just the tech campuses. Just go in with your eyes open.

What's been your experience with San Francisco? Love it, hate it, or somewhere in between?

Cheers,

Chandler