Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf safety and family things to do (San Jose: rental car, rental)

[rockyinyourradio]

Greetings! It's been quite a spell since I've posted anything here on CD and in honesty, don't get on the Calif. threads hardly at all (Am I missing something?)

Getting to my question, I have family including a couple of my grandkids that will be taking a trip out to the Bay area the end of this month. They will be staying in the general area of San Francisco for three days before heading to the Sierra's for some skiing. My biggest concern, is the safety factor of the Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 region. I hear how it's really gone down hill in recent years and that crime has become quite the issue. My daughter is especially concerned and I told her about this forum and how some concerns can be addressed. Actually, as I'm writing this, I'm watching YouTube video's of the Wharf area shot recently and still looks quite appealing to me. It's been over 20 years since I was last out that way myself. I notice a fair amount of public parking near these area's. Is there plenty of security around there?

Lastly, what kind of activities close by there that is kid friendly? I guess the bottom line question, besides Pier 39, if a family of 4 with young kids has 3 days to see the SFO area, what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance for all responses. .... and yes, I probably have been missing something not being on here at least a little more often.

[blameyourself]

I've never had a safety concern at Fisherman's wharf.

For the kids

https://www.exploratorium.edu/

https://secretsanfrancisco.com/sf-pl...ese-mythology/

The 2nd link is the upgraded Chinese playground (it's new name is dedicated to my wife's Uncle)

[Glenview94602]

A tourist trap, safer than other places in the city. Took my son there in August to ride the ferry.

[Hawk J]

Years ago, our youngsters enjoyed "The Exploratorium", The Aquarium & gardens in "Golden Gate Park", the zoo, especially Oakland Zoo, was much enjoyed, riding the Go Karts in San Jose...

They loved "Great America". It's EXPENSIVE.
Enjoy Yourselves.

[Robotdog]

The worst thing you will see is maybe one street person sitting over by the cruise ship terminal a block away on the Embarcadero. I've never been accosted there. It's a beautiful area during the day. All day parking in the 5 story lot is available. Two hour parking is available down by Battery and Embarcadero. The Exploratorium for kids is amazing, better than Pier 39.

[john3232]

Originally Posted by rockyinyourradio

Greetings! It's been quite a spell since I've posted anything here on CD and in honesty, don't get on the Calif. threads hardly at all (Am I missing something?)

Getting to my question, I have family including a couple of my grandkids that will be taking a trip out to the Bay area the end of this month. They will be staying in the general area of San Francisco for three days before heading to the Sierra's for some skiing. My biggest concern, is the safety factor of the Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 region. I hear how it's really gone down hill in recent years and that crime has become quite the issue. My daughter is especially concerned and I told her about this forum and how some concerns can be addressed. Actually, as I'm writing this, I'm watching YouTube video's of the Wharf area shot recently and still looks quite appealing to me. It's been over 20 years since I was last out that way myself. I notice a fair amount of public parking near these area's. Is there plenty of security around there?

Lastly, what kind of activities close by there that is kid friendly? I guess the bottom line question, besides Pier 39, if a family of 4 with young kids has 3 days to see the SFO area, what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance for all responses. .... and yes, I probably have been missing something not being on here at least a little more often.

The last time I was there (2019) I found nothing to worry about (at least during the afternoon) except car break-ins.

I wouldn't recommend parking a car in their area regardless of time.
https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/...mo-link-block2

[davdaven]

Nothing to worry about in Fisherman's Wharf in general. In fact, San Francisco is one of the safety big cities in the country. However, it does have a high property crime rate and people should not park rental cars anywhere within the city limits. Same goes for Oakland, which probably is not an issue for you since it isn't a big tourist destination.

There is one super sketchy neighborhood in SF, and it's called the Tenderloin. Easy to avoid if you know where it is, but because SF is so small, it's relatively easy for the oblivious to wander over there. It's more depressing than dangerous, to be perfectly frank, and you should be fine (physically, anyway) during the day. Might feel somewhat unsavory at night.

I would be much more worried about safety in a wide variety of America's large cities, as well as pretty much anywhere in Texas, which seems to be having regular mass shootings these days. Be wary of the Fox "news" narrative, which really focuses on stories that generate views and clicks (i.e., SF is falling apart) at the expense of actual troubling stories (see: constant mass shootings in Texas).