Travelers play an important role in the overall growth and economic development of San Francisco! According to a report by the San Francisco Travel Association in 2023, travelers contributed about $522 million in tax revenues and tourism-generated fees to San Francisco.
About 21.9 million visitors visited San Francisco in 2022, which is 29% higher than 2021 reports. Now, you know why it is important to know whether San Francisco is safe for tourists. What about the people who live in the city?
Read the blog in detail to learn more about the safety tips necessary for you if you are planning to explore the city. Additionally, you will see all types of culture across the city hence, to make your memories forever flourishing try to be cautious. You also get to learn all about things to do in San Francisco in this blog!
Learn More About San Francisco: Is San Francisco Safe?
One of the most beautiful cities, San Francisco is America’s jewel! Starting from Golden Gate Park to the vibrant Chinatown, Alamo Square Park to Golden Gate Bridge, cafes of North Beach and others hold all that is beautiful in the city.
A hub for rock and roll music, San Francisco brings technology, financial, and shipping services together. If you are planning to travel to San Francisco, know that the highest number of travelers are business travelers. It is one of the exotic places to travel though if you love national parks and museums.
In the past few decades, the city has struggled with drug addiction and crime, which has led to travelers asking, “is San Francisco Safe?” However, is it only about the city being unsafe? Or is it about enjoying the place, San Francisco being a perfect mix of nature and technology!
Safety Tips when Visiting San Francisco
When you are planning to visit San Francisco, you must be cautious. Even though it is not a place that is unsafe consistently, however, as an individual you need to be aware of your surroundings wherever you travel. The city is also one of the cheapest places to travel right now in the USA!
Traveling is fun but it is also important for you to be responsible. It is quite a common experience to face petty theft or property crime, be it in a major or a small city. So, when you visit San Francisco, you need to carry your bags cautiously.
Keep your documents safe, especially the ones that are needed for traveling. Make sure that you keep all your electronics carefully, arranging them in your package, thus ensuring that you will have the safest trip possible.
Safe Accommodation Options in San Francisco
Several San Francisco neighborhoods are quite safe especially if you are trying to explore the city, stay out late, or enjoy yourself alone. Let me share with you some of the significant accommodation options in San Francisco:
Outer Sunset – a residential area, this place is quite close to Golden Gate Park where the rate of crime is quite low. Several budget-friendly options start from $150 per person, quite cozy. The SeaScape Inn is close to the beach, creating a perfect place for you to stay.
Nob Hill – starting from $400 per night, this area is known for its historical relevance. You can book your room at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel which brings panoramic views along with offering plush rooms.
Pacific Heights – The place is perfect as a safe place, especially with clean streets, and no property crimes along mansions. You can book rooms at Hotel Drisco which costs about $500 per night. There is room service, delicious breakfast along with elegant and luxurious rooms.
Cultural Callouts in San Francisco
Considering there are several cultures in San Francisco, there are some tips to be aware of them. This will ensure that you do not end up hurting anyone’s sentiments along with being comfortable.
If you keep an eye out for these variations, it will help you be ready for anything that comes. Let me share with you some of the tips to prepare you for the cultural variations:
“Karl the Fog” this phrase is not about any celebrity instead; it is the local people talking about how it might be time to wear a jacket. Furthermore, it will get chilly, the natives know when the weather is changing accordingly, and they talk about it. It is just their way of staying safe.
This is an important callout, especially for smokers! Did you know that smoking is banned in restaurants, bars and parks, basically all public spots? Try to leave a tip when you eat at a restaurant, it is common practice. 15 to 20% of the meal is expected as a tip and the servers look forward to receiving it.
Most people of San Francisco are nice and friendly; however, they lead a busy life. What is more important is they might not have the energy or the time to talk to you for long, especially if you are a stranger. However, over time, they warm up to you.
Safely Navigate the City
Fraudsters and scammers often hang around various gas stations! They try to act fancy, but they claim to not have any cash to fill their gas and request you to pay them cash.
This is where they offer you a watch or an accessory, which they claim is expensive. You think you are getting the better side of the deal as you take the watch and pay money to them.
You later realize the watch or an accessory cost just a couple of bucks thus scamming you for money. Petty theft is also a part of the city; hence you need to navigate the city by keeping your minds about you! If you have travel cards, especially if you have one of the best travel credit cards with you, you need to keep it safe.
There is also an application, Bounce, where you can keep your luggage while you explore the city! Several local businesses also use their services. This is a pro tip especially if you are a lone traveler. Keeping your luggage with them will help you travel without any tension!
Is San Francisco Safe?
At times, San Francisco is overall a safe place to be, however, with a few things to keep in mind. If you are still questioning, whether is San Francisco safe, you need to always be aware of your surroundings. You must keep your purses, cell phone, and other important belongings.
You also need to know more about the places, the streets, the hotels and restaurants. When visiting San Francisco, you need to know the navigation of the city in detail so that you can stay safe.
Comment below if you think I have missed anything when it comes to safety tips necessary to visit San Francisco. Enjoy yourself along with being happy and safe!
Sagnika Sinha is a content writer who is passionate about writing travel vlogs, entertainment and celebrity articles and literature-based pieces. With a 4 years experience in teaching, she loves reading books. A procrastinator by nature, she loves travelling, listening to music, planting and gardening.
Digital nomads have a level of freedom and independence the rest of us can only dream of and if you are lucky enough to make your living online, you may not have considered relocating to a tropical paradise called Thailand. Known as the Land of Smiles,
Land of plenty
Thailand has everything in abundance and the cost of living is much lower than in developed Western countries, which is one of the reasons digital nomads flock to this enchanted land.
One of the most fertile countries on the planet, there are so many fruits and vegetables, you could spend 10 years and still not try them all. Book a short stay at one of the top hotels near Future Park Rangsit and take some time looking at long-term condos or house rentals to find the perfect accommodation.
Superb infrastructure
Although Thailand is a developing country, it has a better infrastructure than some developed countries. The railway network is top-notch, as are the roads, and getting around is a breeze. Travel is cheap and safe, with a/c coaches and affordable car hire and the most important aspect of Thailand’s infrastructure is the hi-speed Internet connectivity, which is very affordable.
If you take out a contract with one of the major ISPs, you can have unlimited high-speed Internet for $30 per month. Use the hotspot function to connect your laptop to the web and you can work in any location. Then there are the many coffee shops where digital nomads take advantage of the free high-speed Wi-Fi; if you like to share a workspace, there are many options. Click here for how travelling can change a person for the better.
Low cost of living
Perhaps the number 1 reason why digital entrepreneurs choose to relocate to Thailand is the low cost of living; rent, transport, clothing, eating out, and Internet, you can live like a king on half of your Western budget.
How much does a luxury, fully furnished condo cost per month? From $300-$500 per month, you can live in a luxury development with a swimming pool, attractive grounds, and manned security 24/7. Whether you prefer Bangkok or one of the tourist resorts, prices are very reasonable.
Long term visas
There are numerous ways that you can stay in Thailand long term; you can apply for an ed visa by enrolling in a government-approved Thai language course or learning MMA at a certified gym. If you are over the age of 50, you can apply for a retirement visa, which can be renewed annually. Some entrepreneurs apply for a tourist visa, which is valid for 60 days and it can be extended a further 45 days, which might be enough for your schedule.
Come for a holiday first and if you like living in Thailand, make plans and relocate when you are ready. Some digital nomads flock to Thailand when the western winter starts, returning home just before the summer starts.
Check out the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s website, where you can find a wealth of information about Thailand.
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Guest speakers from Dark Ranger Telescope and NASA attended the “Astrofest Festival” at Badlands National Park this year (July 5 to 7, 2024). In this celebration of the night sky and astronomy, the guest speakers discussed various aspects of space. The 2024 fest included the following activities.
Scale model of the solar system in the afternoon
An early evening solar viewing program
Guest speaker session
“These are objects that have been important to our culture since we could probably talk. So, we think it’s important to maintain that connection and bring back that connection to these things that used to be so important to us for thousands of years.”Ed Welsh, the education specialist at Badlands National Park
The yearly Astrofest Festival at the park indeed has a role in making the park a favorite for star gazing and exploring the night sky.
Also, the remote location of the park and minimal light pollution here make it a wonderful site in South Dakota for watching the celestial bodies in action.
Further, this park is a wonderful place to soak in the beauty of sunrise and sunset, making it the land of light and stones!
Night Sky Viewings/ Stargazing At Badlands National Park
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Badlands National Park (@badlandsnps)
Everyone talks about the geology, wildlife, and fossils of Badlands National Park. However, if you are an introvert and always seek an immersive experience like me, night sky viewing will be your favorite activity at the park.
In fact, I feel that watching the night sky is the chef’s kiss in the park tour. The stargazing activity takes place near the park’s Cedar Pass area, which is close to the visitor center.
Further, the rangers inform you about the celestial bodies you will see. You just need to keep your eyes glued to the telescope to explore celestial bodies, such as the Milky Way, star clusters, planets, satellites, and nebulae.
The table below gives a quick excerpt of the stargazing and night sky viewing experience at Badlands National Park.
Stargazing And Night Sky Viewings At Badlands National Park LocationCedar Pass AmphitheaterSpecialtyMore than 7500 stars are exposed to each visitor. They especially enjoy the clarity of the Milky Way. Add-onsFly-overs by the International Space Station and many satellitesTelescopes Provided By Celestron and Badlands Natural History AssociationBest Season for StargazingSpring, Summer, and Fall
In summer, the Night Sky Viewing Program starts after the evening star gazing session every day. The park rangers conduct this program. Further, its timing keeps changing based on the sunset hours.
Best Places For Stargazing At Badlands National Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc1WjJfoGBB/
Badlands National Park has earned a name in astrotourism thanks to its pristine nature. With fewer pull-outs and roads, the north unit of the park especially has many amazing stargazing destinations. Let’s explore them!
The Space Tourism Guide features the Badlands National Park and the Badlands National Park Observatory as some of the best places for stargazing in South Dakota. Badlands Observatory became accessible to visitors in May 2021. It is a privately owned facility in the Badlands National Park. Also, it works for astronomical education and research.
Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater has a Night Sky Viewing event every day. This experience is about gathering more information by stargazing in a structured setup.
You must visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center every day to learn about the program.
Badlands Loop Road
Like many other parts of the Badlands National Park, the Badlands Loop Road also allows you to find your spot for stargazing. However, two of the best spots along the loop are:
Burns Basin Overlook
Yellow Munds Overlook
These locations are especially great for taking photographs and indulging in tranquility.
Sage Creek Rim Road
The Sage Creek Rim Road is one of the least crowded spaces in the park. You will also get to see very few cars passing through the area.
The Sage Creek Basin Overlook and Hay Butte Overlook are some of the best spots for stargazing on Sage Creek Rim Road. However, as very few people visit this area, you can find a stargazing spot of your own.
Big Badlands Overlook
Big Badlands Overlook may appear last on my list of places to stargaze in Badlands National Park. However, it is the first overlook for someone accessing the park from the Northeast Entrance or the Sioux Falls.
Take a short walk and reach the best stargazing point in the Big Badlands Overlook. From here, enjoy a 360-degree view.
The Backcountry
The open backcountry of the Badlands National Park is a wonderland for camping and stargazing. So, just set your camp and enjoy stargazing for the entire night.
Watching Sunrise And Sunset At Badlands National Park
The magic hours of Sunrise and Sunset paint the Badlands National Park with the most vibrant shade of red. The table below shows the best points for watching the sunrise and sunset and the accessibility points.
ActivityBest Spots In The ParkAccessibility Points with Boardwalks and for Visitors with Wheelchairs SunriseDoor TrailNorbeck Pass AreaDillon Pass AreaBig Badlands OverlookPanorama PointCastle Trail WestBig Badlands OverlookDoor Trail Panorama PointSunsetPinnacles OverlookCastle Trail EastNorbeck Pass AreaBigfoot Pass Picnic AreaConata Basin OverlookPinnacles Overlook Conata Basin OverlookBigfoot Pass Picnic Area
As the Sun rises, its warm golden and red lights spread over the pinnacles that face the east. Further, the drama of light and shadow makes every frame mesmerizing. So, many photographers flock to Badlands National Park’s sunrise and sunset points for the best captures.
Stargazing At Badlands National Park: Plan Your Trip Well
There are two easy ways to reach the remoteness of the Badlands National Park.
Reach the Rapid City Regional Airport and ride for an hour to Badlands National Park.
Further, you can reach the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and take a road trip to Badlands National Park. This trip through South Dakota will take you around 4 hours.
If you want to have the best stargazing experience at Badlands, you need to stay there overnight. You can reserve a room at the Cedar Pass Lodge in advance or stay at the Sage Creek Campground or Cedar Pass Campground.
However, if you are an adventurous soul and want the most immersive experience, put a camp in the backcountry or the north and south units of the park. Don’t forget to collect your permit for backcountry camping in the Badlands National Park.
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Want to learn more about the newest Play Airlines? It is one of the low-cost airlines that operate across the Atlantic Ocean. I was hoping you could read the article to learn about my experience while booking a ticket on Play Airlines.
The airline carriers are among the best that offer ultra-low fares when traveling to Europe. So the new entrant in the market has appeared in the search results for Transatlantic flights after April 2022. The airline aims to bring visitors to Iceland and connect North America and Europe.
The airline started flying in 2021 in Iceland; however, in North America, the service began in April 2022. Do you want to know more about the airline, its foundation, and my experience? Keep reading!
This Is My Experience With Play Airlines!
When the airline carrier was first inaugurated, Play Airlines and Baltimore Airport collaborated to create a good impression in the form of a water cannon salute when the first plane of Play Airline pulled up to the gate. Overall, the first impression was quite well made by Play Airlines.
The staff is helpful and interactive. Another added advantage of a low-budget carrier airline. It is unheard of for a low-budget carrier airline to be perfect concerning its services.
I would also like to discuss certain shortcomings that I identified. Do give it a go before you book tickets on Play! The flight I traveled on was spacious, clean, and memorable because I was finally traveling to Paris, one of my dream destinations.
What Is Play Airlines?
Play Airlines is addressed as the Ultra Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC), which is not completely uncommon. However, many carriers have additional charges based on transportation, which ULCC still needs! These airlines are perfect for passengers traveling on a budget like me!
My travel plans are concrete, and I am not free to have flexible dates and timings because I have a job! I am also one of those who do not care about luxury or frills added to necessities.
Therefore, I am functional when it comes to services such as Wi-Fi and entertainment charging points. Ultimately, I can adjust this much if I am traveling to a destination, especially for a vacation.
Play is the successor of Wow Air, a low-cost airline carrier that ran out of service in 2019. So, if you question, is Play Airlines safe? It is.
My Experience On Flying With Play Airlines
So I was traveling to Paris from Boston and was charged $292 for a roundtrip. To begin with, this is quite a cheap deal that I have got on Play Airline. Another significant thing I noticed and did not expect was a comfortable seat and 34 inches of legroom.
Isn't that amazing? Finding another airline that gives 34 inches of leg space might be challenging! It is quite unheard of in a budget carrier. The seats are Delta Comfort Plus, which is comfortable, and I was very relaxed throughout the flight. The chairs are tall enough for you to rest your head.
As a frequent flier, half of your problems are solved if the seat is comfortable! According to my Play Airlines review, it is quite comfortable to travel with this airline. The space for the leg also helps in extending the tray table. There was no charging extension or plug-ins in the Play flights, which is usually there in transatlantic carriers and U.S. airlines.
I found the crew very supportive and helpful. I had a very positive experience while interacting with the crew. No food or snack is free; however, this is one of the side effects of low-budget carriers. I did not see any food or water services throughout the flight except at the beginning and end.
What I Found Beneficial?
In A321neo, headrests were present in each seat with extra padding and adjustable wings. When you fly Play Airlines, you will get better seating comfort than most of the low-budget flying airlines. The setting does help in creating a more comfortable sleeping position.
I also noticed that every seat had its lights and dedicated air vents. It helped me a lot because I am an avid reader, so there was no issue with my entertainment as I almost finished a book on the flight.
A significant advantage I found on Play Airlines is that there was no bundling, nor was the fare made complicated concerning overall expenditure. I also found the timings of the flights to be mostly punctual. The connecting flights to Europe via Keflavik are conveniently set.
Their food and drink collection is quite decent; you can order based on your requirement. There is also no connectivity, such as Wi-Fi, messaging, or entertainment.
What I Found Negative?
I have heard that the seat arrangements are a mixed bag, such as seats with 34 inches of leg space, while some seats give you a meager 28 inches of leg space.
So, as a traveler, you should search on Google Flights regarding the space of the specific flights of Play Airlines before you book tickets. Make sure to check the legroom extension to have some wiggle room.
Another significant shortcoming that I noticed on the flight was that there needed to be more power. As a traveler, one thing that is essential in today's time is charging your phone, which I wasn't able to do because of no power.
You will not be getting any refund; hence, in case of cancellation from your side, you will need clarification with the services. Another thing that might look like a chore to you is creating an account to view or book seats and baggage fees.
The complete itinerary or any schedule based on base fare will only be accessible if you have an account on the official website, www.flyplay.com.
How To Book On Play Airlines?
You have to visit their official website, but before that, search Google Flights. Accordingly, select flights and seats based on your preferences and make your payment.
Conclusion
My overall experience on Play Airlines was mostly positive. However, some of the shortcomings are quite significant. Having no power to charge your mobile phone devices can seriously put travelers who are traveling long distances at risk.
The only solution to this problem is carrying a power bank. You must be aware of these issues before you book a flight! There are limited options to travel to Iceland if the booked flight is delayed or canceled.
Comment below regarding your choice of place to visit in Iceland and why!
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