Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [262]
Avoid carrying valuables with you on the street, and don’t display expensive cameras or electronic equipment. Hold on to your pocketbook, and place your billfold in an inside pocket. In theaters, restaurants, and other public places, keep your possessions in sight.
Remember also that hotels are open to the public, and in a large hotel, security may not be able to screen everyone entering. Always lock your room door—don’t assume that inside your hotel you are automatically safe.
Driving safety is important, too. Ask your rental agency about personal safety, and ask for a traveler-safety brochure when you pick up your car. Ask for written directions to your destination or a map with the route clearly marked. (Many agencies offer the option of renting a cellphone for the duration of your car rental; check with the rental agent when you pick up the car.) Try to arrive and depart during daylight hours.
Recently, more crime has involved cars and drivers. If you drive off a highway into a doubtful neighborhood, leave the area as quickly as possible. If you have an accident, even on the highway, stay in your car with the doors locked until you assess the situation or until the police arrive. If you’re bumped from behind on the street or are involved in a minor accident with no injuries, and the situation appears to be suspicious, motion to the other driver to follow you. Never get out of your car in such situations. Go directly to the nearest police precinct, well-lit service station, or 24-hour store.
Always try to park in well-lit and well-traveled areas. Never leave any packages or valuables in sight. If someone attempts to rob you or steal your car, don’t try to resist the thief or carjacker. Report the incident to the police department immediately by calling 911. This is a free call, even from pay phones.
Senior Travel Nearly every attraction in San Francisco offers a senior discount; age requirements vary, and specific prices are listed in chapter 6. Public transportation and movie theaters also have reduced rates. Don’t be shy about asking for discounts, but always carry some kind of identification, such as a driver’s license, that shows your date of birth.
Members of AARP, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049 ( 888/687-2277; www.aarp.org), get discounts on hotels, airfares, and car rentals. AARP offers members a wide range of benefits, including AARP The Magazine and a monthly newsletter. Anyone 50 and over can join.
Recommended publications offering travel resources and discounts for seniors include the quarterly magazine Travel 50 & Beyond (www.travel50andbeyond.com) and the best-selling paperback Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re Over 50 2005–2006, 16th Edition (McGraw-Hill), by Joann Rattner Heilman.
Smoking If San Francisco is California’s most European city in looks and style, the comparison stops when it comes to smoking in public. Each year, smoking laws in the city become stricter. Ergo, heavy smokers are in for a tough time in San Francisco. Smoking is illegal in public buildings, sports arenas, elevators, theaters, banks, lobbies, restaurants, offices, stores, bed-and-breakfasts, most small hotels, and bars. That’s right: You can’t even smoke in California bars unless drinks are served solely by the owner (though you will find that a few neighborhood bars turn a blind eye and pass you an ashtray). Hotels are also increasingly going nonsmoking, though some still offer smoking rooms. City lawmakers are also currently considering bans in outdoor public areas.
Student Travel A valid student ID will often qualify students for discounts on airfare, accommodations, entry to museums, cultural events, movies, and more in San Francisco. Check out the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC; www.istc.org) website for comprehensive travel services information and details on how to get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which qualifies students for substantial