When I travel for work, I often find myself in cities or states I’ve never visited before. When I was younger, I would get to my destination and never venture outside of the event.  Now that I’m older and realize I’m passing up some chances to see sights I may never get the opportunity to see again; I go and explore as much as possible. I’m that lone woman eating lunch or dinner at a fabulous restaurant, taking in the sights,  and even sitting alone in the movie theatre by myself. Some people, like my husband, just can’t do it.

Emily - Clever Housewife at CleverHousewife.com

Emily - Clever Housewife at CleverHousewife.com

I’m currently in San Francisco for a Disney • Pixar press event.  The event starts tomorrow, but I arrived on Sunday to spend some time in the city I’ve only visited once before.  It was about 12 years ago and we visited for just a few hours and I’ve been meaning to come back to see what we missed.

My first day here I was joined by a blogger whom I met in New York on another Disney press trip. Emily from Clever Housewife (CleverHousewife.com), lives about two hours away and I was thrilled when she said she could join me.  We had just the one day together and the two of us had a fantastic time eating, walking, talking, laughing, eating some more, and laughing a lot more.  We got no sightseeing in whatsoever, but we had a phenomenal time.  She even posed in the hotels cheetah robe for me – she’s a good sport!

Today I spent the day solo travelling and seeing the sights.  I traveled by foot, trolley, and taxi.  I enjoyed two fabulous meals and saw a lot of great sites.  I’ve got so many photos to share from Pier 39 and the surrounding area.   Until then, here are some things you can do to make solo travelling more fun and with your safety in mind.

Tips for Travelling Alone:

  • Plan where you’ll be going before you leave your room.  Have a clear destination and directions so you don’t have to stop and ask for directions.  Check with the hotel concierge or other staff for help in finding safe public transportation, safe walking routes, and places to visit.  Most are happy to help.
  • Don’t dress like a tourist.  Dress like the residents – keep the camera in a bag, not around you neck.  Skip the flowered vacation shirts unless you’re in Hawaii.
  • Don’t walk around reading from your smart phone or listening to your iPod.  Be aware and watch for unusual behavior.
  • Have a cell phone and be sure it’s charged in case you need to call for help.  Check in with someone at home so they know where you are, where you’re headed, and when you’ll be back.
  • Have cash on hand to cover emergencies – like taking a taxi back to the hotel in case you’re tired, feel ill, or feel unsafe.
  • Return to your hotel before nightfall.  Walking the streets after dark should be safe, but it isn’t always.
  • Consider joining a tour group or using organized tours in the city you’re visiting.  Most have hop-on, hop-off tours or similar.  You’ll get the added benefit of having a knowledgeable guide to tell you more about the sites.
With just a little planning you can become an experienced solo traveler, too!.  Be safe, have fun, and don’t think twice about people judging you for travelling alone.  Choose to have a great time!
Enjoy!
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