Your travel4seniors.com editor’s experiences with the city go back to World War 2 Navy days. It was a sparkling clean city way back then, with bright streets, cable cars, theaters, hotels, restaurants and fantastic scenery.

Then, when I visited several decades later, San Francisco was becoming a haven for hippies, many aimless young people living on the streets who refused to conform to traditional behaviors. That attitude has continued and spread, making the formerly beautiful city today a haven for thousands of homeless, clueless wanderers of all ages.   

If your travel plans include San Francisco, be aware of areas where crime, filth and poverty make days and nights out dangerous. Also, you’ll encounter grossly inflated prices for hotels. Keep checking the internet for reasonable rates. For example, instead of paying $400 a night for a dinky hotel room, try Airbnb or other private house renting site. It can be much less expensive, especially if you’re traveling with a group of four or more.

While wandering around the USA, you often make quick stops for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When you flash an AARP card, it could take 10% or more off the bill. Many chain eateries offer senior discount deals.

Included among them are Taco Bell, Denny’s, McDonald’s, KFC, Dairy Queen, Dunkin Donuts, IHOP, Jack in the Box and many others. With AARP card or not, when you order food in any restaurant from Miami to Seattle, always ask firmly and politely: Is there a senior discount?

As concerned seniors, we have a very basic worry about foreign toilets. When the need for a bathroom happens while on a city street, what do we do? Mrs. PRL, St. Louis MO

A: Before you stroll, be sure you have some of that country’s coins on you for available coin-operated toilets. Use your smartphone to get into apps, such as Flush. It’s free with a map locating nearest public toilets. Also, Freepee.org lists free public toilets in many world cities. Another basic tip: Carry a small soap bar or tube along with disposable tissues.

Of course, all airlines are into the nickel-and-diming routine to boost income and exec salaries. The new SW charge, called Early Bird Check-In, will get you to a seat to grab before all those lined-up ABCD passengers behind you can scramble aboard.

The extra cost will be from $30 to $50, depending on length of the flight. Your travel4seniors.com editor still believes SW is the most economical way to fly within the USA. However, before making reservations on any airline, do your online homework to get the best possible ticket prices, including taxes, extra fees and other sneaky add-ons.