San Francisco is an absolutely wonderful place to live. It’s full of historic charm, natural beauty, and incredible people. It’s 49 square miles of peak Northern California living – walkable, friendly, and stunning. But no city is perfect (though San Fran comes close!). It goes without saying that there are things in the Bay Area that should be avoided, if possible. Here’s a list of what to avoid in San Francisco… like anywhere else, we’re not flawless!

1. Driving downtown San Francisco during games for the Giants
Steve Rhodes/Flickr
The Giants are the most popular sports team for San Franciscans, whether you're a native or a newcomer to the city. And when there is a home game at AT&T Park, the traffic situation is insane! (But any die-hard Giants fan will tell you that the beloved home team is worth the crowds!)
2. Fisherman's Wharf
Eugene Kim/Flickr
Once you've lived in San Francisco for a while - and definitely if you're a local - you'll know this part of town is quite touristy. Most locals tend to avoid it unless dragged by visiting family or friends. However, the experience of Fisherman's Wharf is well worth-it, despite being a tourist hot spot.
3. Sinkholes
Peretzp/Flickr
In San Francisco, there have been sinkholes that have literally almost swallowed up cars, people, and even homes, and the problem is only getting worse. If you're curious, a sinkhole is technically a pit in the ground that forms in areas where water gathers without external drainage. Sinkholes can be (quite literally) one of the biggest things to avoid in San Francisco.
4. Bay Bridge Traffic
Mike McBey/Flickr
The Bay Bridge is beautiful to admire, but absolutely nightmarish to drive. The traffic in the San Francisco Bay area has become worse and worse, so if you live in the city and plan to use the Bay Bridge, then be prepared for some pretty terrible traffic jams.
5. Outdoor parades and events (if you're in a rush)
Dennis Sylvester Hurd/Flickr
When you're in the city and want to get from Point A to Point B, the likelihood of a street parade or even protest delaying you is very possible. We love the celebrations here in the Bay Area, but they have a curious tendency to happen when you're in a hurry.

Related Stories

Here Are The 8 Most Dangerous Places In San Francisco After Dark

Here Are The 8 Most Dangerous Places In San Francisco After Dark

 10 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In San Francisco

10 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In San Francisco

 These 10 Epic Waterfalls Near San Francisco Will Take Your Breath Away

These 10 Epic Waterfalls Near San Francisco Will Take Your Breath Away
6. Dog *business* on the sidewalk
Neal Patel/Flickr
According to the Census and Animal Care and Control Department, San Francisco has around 10,000 more dogs than children. And not all of those dogs have responsible owners. All we are saying is watch where you're walking at all times!
7. Confusing cable cars with streetcars
Jon Robson/Flickr
In San Francisco, it's easy to mistake a streetcar for a cable car and vice versa. Unlike the mechanical cable cars, streetcars are pushed by on-board electric motors and require a trolley pole to produce power from an overhead wire. For reference, what's pictured above is a cable car!
8. Construction sites
Omar Barcena/Flickr
The frustration and risks of living near a construction site in San Francisco are high. As the city economy is booming, so is the construction industry. There are tons of construction equipment and cranes out, as people in the city know.
9. Wearing shorts, especially during summer
Kathryn/Flickr
While not totally unreasonable, wearing shorts in the summer here is a bit silly. It's also how you can spot the tourists, who sport shorts in our chilly, 60-degree "summer" days.
10. Potholes
Dale/Flickr
San Francisco does not have a harsh winter, but it does suffer from a serious pothole problem. There are parts of town that drivers and especially cyclists need to watch out for. The pothole problem here can cause serious damage or injury!

Do you agree with any of these negatives about living in San Francisco? Anything that you think should be added to a list of what to avoid in San Francisco? Let us know about your experiences living in the Bay Area in the comments!

There are, however, plenty of things not to avoid in San Francisco! Check out this beautiful drone footage:

 

If you’re curious about odd San Francisco attractions, be sure to check out the 10 steepest streets in San Francisco.

Want to show off your love for California everywhere you go? Check out this great Explore California shirt from The Landmark Project!

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Living In San Francisco

Sarah | March 15, 2021

What are people from San Francisco like?

People in San Francisco are a diverse group, but more NorCal than SoCal. While SoCal is all beach vibes and sunshine, NorCal has more of a PNW vibe, with milder temperatures and loads of vineyards and farms. In terms of careers, NorCal, particularly the San Francisco area, is home to tons of tech companies, while SoCal is all Hollywood and movie stars. As the third-largest state in the United States, the people from California are diverse and don't really fall into a single category; that's one of the things that makes living in our state, particularly San Francisco, so wonderful!

What are some things to avoid in San Francisco?

Due to its small size - just 49 square miles! - some of the well-known attractions in San Francisco can get a bit crowded (for proof of this, simply refer to the list above!). While charming, Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most touristy spots in the area, and is generally swamped! While the city's crime rate is relatively low, petty crimes such as car break-ins are not uncommon. And in the Greater San Francisco area, Oakland has a relatively high crime rate. People who are being priced out of San Francisco are moving here, causing the population, and by extension, crime rates, to boom.

Is Northern California a good place to live?

Living in Northern California is absolutely wonderful - you'll be constantly blown away by the natural beauty, have an abundance of outdoor recreation available year-round, access to some of the best restaurants and attractions in the country, and so much beautiful weather and sunshine. And if you're avoiding Northern California, particularly San Francisco, for fear of crowds, rest assured that there are still lots of off-the-beaten-path places to enjoy the splendor of NorCal. In fact, these stunning attractions are generally not crowded, and absolutely worth a visit.

Related Articles