Is it safe for a lone teenage girl to be walking from the convention center to the Fairmont at like 12 AM?
My friends are staying at the Hilton, and I don't want to force them to walk me back to my hotel room.
It's only like one giant block away, but I'm really paranoid, especially about drunks/creepers.
Thanks :)
I can't really say it's safe for a lone anyone to be walking around at midnight...However, there'll still be some con-goers wandering at that time, so it won't be just you on the street or anything. If there's an event your going to that runs until midnight, chances are there'll be people who have to get back to the Fairmont at the same time too--Can't vouch for everyone, you can try asking if you can walk with them. Or walk in front of them...stay alert, etc.
I wouldn't encourage walking alone at night, but San Jose is pretty safe as far as crime goes. You will be fine as long as you are aware and alert. Also 12am is not that late and there will be plenty of people streaming too and from the surrounding area at that time. If you really are that concerned then just ask if you can walk with some people or make new friends during the day.
In the general hotel block area, it's not too bad. The walk from Convention Center to the Fairmont is fairly safe given the circumstances and the area at that time. I would be more concerned when walking across the street toward the St. Claire Hotel and beyond. The walk across the street is perfectly fine and the St. Claire Hotel is a classy place however it's when you walk past that area. Once you pass the restaraunt "Original Joe's" in my opinion, the crowd can become rambunctious. This is because the area is full of fast food places and eateries, popular with the downtown crowd after a night of bar hopping or clubbing and San Jose State students looking to kill time or hang out in the late night.
It's not what I would call exactly unsafe but rather, to put it nicely, there are typically alot of gentleman callers that occupy that area who are rather boisterous when attempting to compliment the female persuasion. I would recommend the buddy system whenever possible while walking around late at night but there should be quite a few of your peers, just like you, looking to get a bite to eat or find their hotel. As previously stated, remain alert and I would not worry too much.
Relax. It's safe. Just don't walk in the park. Stick to the sidewalks and you'll be fine.
Quote from: portato on February 24, 2013, 07:06:19 PM
Is it safe for a lone teenage girl to be walking from the convention center to the Fairmont at like 12 AM?
It's safe so long as you dont go like to SJSU... Mind you, there might be guys who will try to hit on you(happend to my neice last year) -but it's safe so long as you stay our course and dont go anywhere other than the general vinicity. You could always try to make friends who go to the same hotel as you.
You'll be fine :]
Agree on being more aware when you walk further away from the con center. I stayed at the Ramada one year and was heading back around 2AM, my friends weren't answering their phones and I was really hesitant about walking back on my own. Luckily a very nice Rover who was off his shift offered to walk me back even though he was staying at the Hilton. I wish I remembered his name!
Thanks everyone :D
I just needed some reassurance that I won't be mugged or have some creepers following/hollering at me or something lol. I walk really fast when I'm alone, so I think I'll be okay. I won't be taking any shady shortcuts :P
Quote from: portato on February 25, 2013, 04:15:53 PM
Thanks everyone :D
I just needed some reassurance that I won't be mugged or have some creepers following/hollering at me or something lol. I walk really fast when I'm alone, so I think I'll be okay. I won't be taking any shady shortcuts :P
if you need assistance my roommates will indeed be there!
Be careful of the Jack-in-the-Box and McDonalds area at night (or even during the day). Thats where some bums and stuff hang out near. I got heckled out of there from walking by in cosplay one year; not a good experience.
Everywhere else near the convention center is ok. Especially if you have a room at Hyatt or Marriott where you don't have to go outside
Quote from: Otakuya on March 03, 2013, 05:29:57 PM
Be careful of the Jack-in-the-Box and McDonalds area at night (or even during the day). Thats where some bums and stuff hang out near. I got heckled out of there from walking by in cosplay one year; not a good experience.
Everywhere else near the convention center is ok. Especially if you have a room at Hyatt or Marriott where you don't have to go outside
Even during the day, yes. I've been approached in that area multiple times by people wanting money and clearly not in their right minds. But I've never had that problem closer to the convention and there should still be other people around at that time. Maybe find other con-goers and stick close to them for as far as they're going in the same direction. I always make it a rule for people that stay in my hotel room that no one walks alone, but that's just me being paranoid. One night three years ago myself and one other girl walked entirely all the way around the convention center and then back to the Fairmont, and we weren't bothered by anyone.
So the walk is from the Hilton to the Fairmont.
Hilton-Marriott, walk the safe concourse inside, exit Marriott entrance
Marriott-St. claire, keep in eyesight and lighting of the parking staff
Path from hotels-Fairmont, walk alongside the street parked cars to see and avoid people in the dark, keep alert for the duration of a few walking minutes
You've reached the brightly lit open area Fairmont/restaurant area with hotel staff and low floor rooms within earshout.
As always coverup/dress mundane if u can, hold cell in hand, and be within help if people are heading the same direction, don't appear vulnerable.
stay with someone. I would not recommend walking alone. shit goes down in downtown! be smart! be safe!
Quote from: EJAY420 on March 08, 2013, 07:54:14 PM
stay with someone. I would not recommend walking alone. shit goes down in downtown! be smart! be safe!
You're overreacting. The general vicinity around the con center is safe as long as you stick to the sidewalks. If you have to venture closer to SJSU, you may be in trouble. But all you have to really do is walk with a purpose.
You'll be fine; no one is going to try really hard to get some tang on the street. Besides, there are a ton of con goers out at that time, and I bet a couple of white knights as well so you'll always have someone have your back.
Andy
I have to agree with royjovero and Andy here. Yes not all of San Jose is safe, but I feel some of the other posters are making a bigger deal out of things than need be. The original post was about going from the con center to the Fairmont, right? In that case, I don't see why you would have any problems. The streets all VERY well-lit in that area, there are usually always at least a few other con-goers out at the same time, and the hotel is only 2 crosswalks away. Yes, sometimes there's a homeless person sleeping in a doorway by the hotel, but don't bother them and they won't bother you. Now if we were talking about walking several blocks away to a rowdy nightclub in the area, then you definitely shouldn't head in there alone. But for the Fairmont, you don't need to worry.
I wouldnt think a young teenage girl walking alone in the city anywhere is safe. I dont think you'd get jumped or hurt in this particular area, but doesnt mean some people might not try to trick you to get off the streets. Just be smart. I remember being young, guys trying to talk me into hanging out with them. They might have honestly been really nice guys, but alone at night I'm going to keep walking.
Yes it is fairly safe, though last year I did see a big buff man almost get into a fight with a convention goer outside the burger joint. Nothing violent happened, but the man was sure yelling a lot as the guy was trying to walk away.
I would just ask your friends to walk you, better safe than sorry. It's not that far anyways and your friends should understand and be concerned for your safety.
You'll be fine, at 12 there are still a lot of con goers and the streets are well lit. Stay on the sidewalk and it'll all be good.
How safe would be the walk from the Greyhound Station to the SJCC? Would it be fine during the morning and evening hours? Would there be a route that is recommended (or just take a taxi to be safe)?
Quote from: Lamune on March 13, 2013, 10:29:24 PM
How safe would be the walk from the Greyhound Station to the SJCC? Would it be fine during the morning and evening hours? Would there be a route that is recommended (or just take a taxi to be safe)?
It's fairly safe! I'm not entirely sure about the immediate area but my friend and I walked from the Pizza Chicago nearby (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=pizza+chicago&ie=UTF-8&ei=s4RBUenrDMWsywHFzoGwAQ&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAg) to the convention center around 10pm about a month ago and it was not at all scary or problematic. Morning/evening should be even more comfortable.
As far as routes go, I think your best bet would be to head down San Fernando towards Market and then head towards San Carlos to the convention center (which is showing up as the first result for walking directions on Google Maps)!
Market St. is great because that's where the Fairmont is, so it's kind of an extension to the convention premises in that people will be more likely to understand what's going on.
But yeah it all should be pretty safe so I wouldn't worry about that too much!
Edit: As far as taking a taxi over I don't think it should be necessary unless you're carrying a lot with you (it's about a half-mile walk). HOWEVER, if you're arriving on a weekday, there is a free shuttle provided by VTA (http://www.vta.org/schedules/SC_201.html) that runs straight to the convention center from there and from Diridon Station roughly every 15 minutes. On weekdays and Saturdays, the 81 westbound (http://www.vta.org/schedules/SC_81.html) runs from there to the convention center as well, for $2 each way or $6 for a day pass.
I ride VTA fairly often and I've never felt threatened while riding it so I think it's a very viable option!
Quote from: keitoghostie on March 14, 2013, 01:15:19 AM
Quote from: Lamune on March 13, 2013, 10:29:24 PM
How safe would be the walk from the Greyhound Station to the SJCC? Would it be fine during the morning and evening hours? Would there be a route that is recommended (or just take a taxi to be safe)?
It's fairly safe! I'm not entirely sure about the immediate area but my friend and I walked from the Pizza Chicago nearby (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=pizza+chicago&ie=UTF-8&ei=s4RBUenrDMWsywHFzoGwAQ&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAg) to the convention center around 10pm about a month ago and it was not at all scary or problematic. Morning/evening should be even more comfortable.
As far as routes go, I think your best bet would be to head down San Fernando towards Market and then head towards San Carlos to the convention center (which is showing up as the first result for walking directions on Google Maps)!
Market St. is great because that's where the Fairmont is, so it's kind of an extension to the convention premises in that people will be more likely to understand what's going on.
But yeah it all should be pretty safe so I wouldn't worry about that too much!
Edit: As far as taking a taxi over I don't think it should be necessary unless you're carrying a lot with you (it's about a half-mile walk). HOWEVER, if you're arriving on a weekday, there is a free shuttle provided by VTA (http://www.vta.org/schedules/SC_201.html) that runs straight to the convention center from there and from Diridon Station roughly every 15 minutes. On weekdays and Saturdays, the 81 westbound (http://www.vta.org/schedules/SC_81.html) runs from there to the convention center as well, for $2 each way or $6 for a day pass.
I ride VTA fairly often and I've never felt threatened while riding it so I think it's a very viable option!
Thank you so much! I feel much more better knowing it's safe. Much appreciate your answer! :)
If anything, the best walking route is Paseo de San Antonio if you're gonna walk downtown, because of higher walking traffic and well lit. It's the path between the Fairmont towers and SJSU campus. The convention center area itself if good too, but avoid 1st and San Salvador because that's where most clubs and drinking tend to happen at night/weekends
Yes! Downtown San Jose isn't bad... and your walk to the Fairmont is pretty short, so no worries!!
To make sure cars can see you try putting a reflector on your cosplay or put one on while crossing streets!
Strength in numbers.
Quote from: EJAY420 on April 28, 2013, 02:49:32 PM
Strength in numbers.
true-dat. Should be self-evident.
Quote from: 01 on April 16, 2013, 05:12:56 PM
To make sure cars can see you try putting a reflector on your cosplay or put one on while crossing streets!
.....what?
Quote from: djmonolith on April 16, 2013, 04:53:10 PM
Yes! Downtown San Jose isn't bad... and your walk to the Fairmont is pretty short, so no worries!!
Really, people can see what goes on from the con if they look towards just before the Fairmont. Plus, there's always cars passing by. Like, djmonolith said: the walk "is pretty short": there are people who sprint across the park/street towards the hotel. Though,
I cannot safely recommend doing so, due to that fact you may get ran over. So, if you really wanted to: you can get to the fairmont from the con in less than 2 min(<1 if you have exp running).
Echoing what's been said here already, Downtown SJ can get pretty sketch, but as long as you travel in a group or are very aware of your surroundings you ought to be fine. Traveling with someone is still your best bet. And if you need to travel by Jack in the Box/La Vic's or anywhere near SJSU, make sure you have at least three people in your group. That's a popular spot for ruffians to congregate.
Something that hasn't been mentioned yet in terms of safety, is that you should always use crosswalks and traffic lights instead of jaywalking/jayrunning. Common sense, huh? But of course there's always the light rail going down San Carlos St and you may trip over your cosplay, as an example. Respect the crossings and you'll be safe in that kind of way.
Last year I was always with my boyfriend so I've never felt unsafe walking between the con and the Fairmont and even at 1 or 2 in the morning there were always other con-goers to walk with. If you just take a few minutes to walk with the other people from the convention you should be just fine. As other have pointed out use common sense, don't jaywalk especially at night, walk tall and confidant. Maybe buy a small flashlight key-chain or can of mace if you're truly worried about being alone. Some of the larger props alone can be quite the deterrent.
Everyone should take note of the shuttle service:
http://www.fanime.com/essentials/accommodations/#shuttle-bus
I wish i knew you well, that way i would be able to walk you to the hotel, what everyone said is true, avoid south of st claire or the park yo