We
know you will enjoy all that San Francisco
has to offer...from its unsurpassed beauty
to its myriad of world famous attractions
and activities. Unfortunately, no city or
town is exempt from crime. We offer suggestions
to ensure that your stay here is enjoyable
and safe.
Sightseeing
- Plan
your route in advance; consult maps indoors
before leaving your hotel.
- Locate
places on your route where you can go for
help.
- Be
aware of your surroundings; leave an area
if it appears unsafe.
- Ask
directions from service providers, hotel
desk staff, telephone or power company employees,
police or traffic officers. Avoid asking
strangers on the street.
- If
you get lost, find an open business and
ask for directions.
- Remember,
alcohol consumption diminishes awareness.
Avoiding
Pickpockets
- Use
travelers checks whenever possible, and
carry only cash and credit cards you will
need. Do not display cash.
- Do
not discuss plans with strangers.
- Carry
your wallet in the inside front pocket of
your pants or your jacket.
- Carry
shoulder bags or other hand-bags under your
arm, not by the handle. While sitting, keep
the bag in your lap. In a restaurant, keep
your purse in your lap, not over the back
of the chair. Keep your bag next to you
in the public restroom instead of using
door hooks.
- Consider
using a fanny-pack or a concealable money-belt
to carry cash and credit cards.
- Carry
some cash and credit cards in a second wallet,
besides your purse or fanny-pack.
- Be
alert, particularly in crowded situations.
Staged distractions are a favorite ploy
of pickpockets.
Hotel
And Motel Security
- Watch
your luggage when checking in and out of
your hotel.
- Make
sure no one hears your name and room number
while at the front desk.
- Don't
invite strangers to your room.
- Find
out your hotel's policy on key control and
the room cleaning schedules.
- Call
the desk to verify the identity of room
service, repair persons, etc., especially
if you did not call for them. Know what
the hotel identification badge looks like.
- Deposit
your valuables in the hotel safe and keep
an inventory of what was deposited; never
leave cash or other valuables in your room.
- Lock
your luggage when it is left in the room.
- Know
how to double lock your room door.
- Use
the door viewer to identify anyone requesting
entry to your room; report any suspicious
activity to hotel staff.
- Keep
the key with you at all times; never leave
it at the front desk.
- Return
your key to the front desk when you check
out; if you leave it in your room it could
be copied.
- Familiarize
yourself with the fire exit routes posted
in your room.
Shopping
Alerts
Be Aware....
- Stores
do not have to make refunds. Each store
may set its own refund or exchange policies.
Check them out before making purchases.
- When
buying with a credit card -- stores cannot
charge you an extra fee.
- When
buying with cash -- stores may offer you
a cash discount.
- A
non-refundable 8.25% state sales tax must
be paid on every item unless you have the
merchant ship the product outside of California.
This tax will not be refunded at the airport
upon departure.
Before You Buy....
(Cameras, film, clothing, video or music equipment,
jewelry, etc.)
- Compare
prices and quality. Merchants may sell products
for any price they want.
- Request
written refund or exchange policy.
- Get
warranties or guarantees in writing.
- Inquire
about electrical compatibility for use in
other countries.
Before
Leaving the Store....
- Get
an itemized receipt, and check for accuracy.
- Inspect
packages thoroughly for correct contents.
- Beware
of additional credit card fees.
Should you have questions or problems regarding
a business transaction in San Francisco, contact:
The
Better Business Bureau, Inc.
510 16th Street
Suite 550
Oakland, CA 94612-1584
Phone: 510-238-1000
-or-
San
Francisco District Attorney's
Consumer Fraud Unit
732 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-553-1814
(Complaint lines open Monday through Friday,
between 9 am - 4 pm)
Vehicle
Safety
- Do
not advertise that you are a visitor. Place
maps, travel brochures and valuables out
of sight in the glove compartment or trunk.
Never leave wallets, credit cards, checkbooks
and/or purses in the vehicle.
- Looking
lost may make you look like an easy target
for crime. When checking your map, remain
especially aware of your surroundings.
- If
your car is bumped, do not stop. Drive to
the nearest public area and call 415-553-0123
to report the incident to the police.
- Always
lock your vehicle and take the keys. Never
hide a key on your vehicle; a thief could
find it.
- Check
the interior of your vehicle before getting
in.
- Park
in well-lighted, busy areas.
- When
parking the vehicle for the night, remove
all luggage and other valuables and bring
them to your room.
Homeless/Displaced
Persons
Like every major city in the world, San Francisco
has a homeless population. Most homeless people
are harmless; however, some street people
are chronic law violators who may infringe
upon the rights of others. Demonstrate a combination
of respect and caution around panhandlers
and strangers.
If you feel inclined to financially assist
someone in need, it is suggested that contributions
not be given to individuals on the street,
but rather to one of the many charitable organizations
that address such needs. Your hotel should
be able to direct you to such organizations.
Property Lost In A Taxi
Write down or remember the number, color and
company name of the taxi you left your property
in. The police department has a list of all
cab companies.
Call the police at 415-553-0123 if the cab
has pulled away with your possessions inside.
Do not call 9-1-1.
Credit
Card Loss
Keep a separate list of your credit cards
and their numbers. Notify the police at once
if your credit cards have been lost or stolen,
by calling 415-553-0123.
If credit cards are not reported missing,
they can be used. Don't be lulled into not
reporting the loss by someone who calls and
asks where to mail your credit cards to.
Parking
& Traffic Tips
The best advice to those visiting San Francisco
by automobile: park it! Rely on your feet
and Muni. If you must drive, remember: cable
cars and pedestrians always have the right
of way.
Curbing
Wheels
There's only one way to rest easy with your
car parked on San Francisco's roller coaster
hills - curb your wheels. Turn the tires toward
the street when facing uphill, and towards
the curb when facing downhill, to effectively
use the curb as a block. Even the best brakes
sometimes give in to our famous grades. Thus,
this is the law in San Francisco, and citations
can be issued if you do not follow this practice.
Curb
Colors
Colored curbing indicate reserved parking
zones:
- Red
- No stopping or parking anytime.
- Yellow
- Half hour limit loading vehicles with
commercial plates only.
- Yellow
& Black - Half hour loading limit for
trucks with commercial plates only.
- Green,
Yellow and Black - Taxi zone.
- Blue
- Reserved for vehicles marked with a California
issued disabled placard or plate.
- Green
- 10-minute limit for all vehicles.
- White
- Passenger loading, with only a five minute
limit, effective during the adjacent business'
hours of operation.
Contacting
Emergency Services
In an emergency call 9-1-1. An emergency exists
when there is a life-threatening police matter,
a medical emergency or fire, or a person who
has fallen and is unable to get up. 9-1-1
will get you police, fire and medical services.
If it is not an emergency call:
Police at 415-553-0123
Fire Department at 415-861-8000
Prepared in cooperation with:
San
Francisco Police Department,
San
Francisco District Attorney's
Consumer Fraud Unit, and
Better
Business Bureau
of San Francisco
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