Safest Places for Pedestrians in San Francisco

According to AOL Travel, San Francisco is an odd city namely because “the worst parts of the town are just blocks away from the most touristy parts.”  In addition, the website news.reavel.aol.com explains that “most tourists have a problem telling the neighborhoods apart, and the seedier areas are not exactly marked on a map.”  Furthermore, any resident can tell you, “the character of a neighborhood can change from day to night.”   As a result, there are definitely some areas pedestrians may want to avoid in San Francisco.

Below are the five safest areas in San Francisco from a local resident and AOL Travel Contributor about the Bay area:

Safest Areas

1.) Union Square is center of the “downtown” area, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and hotels catering to tourists.  The Powell street cable-car line runs from Market Street all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. This area has a lot of people, so violent crimes are rare. Park inside a public garage (the rates can be high) and you should have no problem other than encountering pickpockets.  It’s just a bit… touristy, and it is right next to Tenderloin, one of the seediest parts of town.   Don’t go past Taylor Street, and don’t veer off Geary / O’Farrell streets, and you should be fine.

2.) Another touristy-spot of San Francisco Fisherman’s Warf is crowded enough well into dusk to be safe enough to walk about, and there are plenty of public transit and shops and whatnot to keep you busy.  It also has attractions like museums, rides, and the famous Bay Cruise and ferries to Alcatraz. However, it also attracts pickpockets and occasional auto break-ins.  Lock up the GPS in the glove box (and wipe the suction-cup marks off the windshield).

3.) Chinatown / North Beach / Nob Hill / Financial District: These areas are all so close together that I count them together.  North Beach is little Italy, which is right next to Chinatown. Nob Hill was the richest part of town on top of the hill next to Chinatown, and the Financial District is all the office buildings “below” Chinatown, including the famous Transamerica Pyramid.  This area is always busy during the day, and very safe. Barbary Coast, which is right next to Chinatown / North Beach, may be an exception, as it is full of clubs and some adult entertainment.

4.) The Richmond neighborhood (Geary and Clement streets), basically anything north of Golden Gate Park, is mostly residential, but some streets are known for commercial stuff as well. There are a few big-box stores, but mostly smaller restaurants.  Geary Street from Arguello toward the west has restaurants in almost every block until you are near Ocean Beach.  One block to the north, Clement Street from Third Avenue on is known as “Second Chinatown.” It is a bit out of the way, but also very busy and safe, full of locals.

5.) Japantown is a bit out of the way for most tourists, but is easily reached via Geary Street from downtown (take the 38 bus) west of downtown.  The Peace Plaza and the Kinokuniya mall (with its collection of Japanese and Korean restaurants, shops, curios, and more) are a welcome change of pace from the VERY touristy spots of San Francisco.  Or walk north a bit to California Street and see the residential side of San Francisco.

For more information on the worst areas, feel free to visit the travel ideas and interests page at AOL Travel online.