City in California, United States
Is San Francisco safe?
Fine in busy areas by day, but car break-ins, phone snatching and open drug use in parts of downtown call for care.
Is San Francisco safe?
Fine in busy areas by day, but car break-ins, phone snatching and open drug use in parts of downtown call for care. Stay alert in the Tenderloin and around Civic Center.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in San Francisco at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Car break-ins are common and leave tourists stranded; also phone grabs, bag theft from cafés, and occasional street robberies. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. |
| At night | Main commercial streets feel fine; parts of downtown empty out after dark. Use Uber or Waymo rather than walking between neighborhoods. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in most areas with usual care. Avoid the Tenderloin at night, use rideshare late, and watch your drink in bars. |
| Other risks | Earthquakes: know the drop, cover and hold on rule; Wildfire smoke Aug–Nov; Steep hills and fast cable-car intersections |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street 'ticket sellers' offering cheap tours or concert seats
- Unlicensed taxi touts at SFO quoting flat prices
- Strangers asking for help then distracting you to steal
- Fake parking officers collecting cash at meters
Take care
- The Tenderloin and 6th Street area, especially after dark
- Leaving anything visible in a parked car, even for minutes
- Phone use on the street downtown and near BART stations
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How San Francisco compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is San Francisco safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in most areas with usual care. Avoid the Tenderloin at night, use rideshare late, and watch your drink in bars.
Is San Francisco safe at night?
Main commercial streets feel fine; parts of downtown empty out after dark. Use Uber or Waymo rather than walking between neighborhoods.
What is the crime rate in San Francisco?
Car break-ins are common and leave tourists stranded; also phone grabs, bag theft from cafés, and occasional street robberies. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in San Francisco?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about San Francisco
Going to San Francisco solo?
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Sources
- SFMTA (Muni)
- BART
- San Francisco International Airport
- San Francisco Travel
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.