In the SF Tenderloin time of day does not matter. These people are mostly harmless, by the way. The last thing they want is trouble.
I avoid Philly on the whole and am trying to guide our Daughter to not go to Drexel... My GF's (now Wife) first job out of law school in the early 90's was in downtown Philly and in the few years she was there we had a few unpleasant incidents, but we were young and hitting pubs, etc. Eventually we hung on the Main Line. That said, the USS Olympia is worth seeing if you are anywhere near the area.
This was my experience as well. There are two teams for San Francisco. Those who have been there-and had a good experience and those who watch a particular "News" station saying it's like a "Mad Max" movie.I refrained from adding to this thread until we returned from a family vaca that had us in Napa Valley, San Fran and Central California over 10 days. We lived in Palo Alto and Mountainview for a few years from ~2003-2006 and had spent a fair amount of time in SF.
In short, SF was fine, safe where we ventured and much better than I expected. We stayed at the Mark Hopkins and walked back and forth to Fishermans Wharf, Pier 33, Washington Square and Union Square and never felt unsafe. We did see some folk that had me sticking close to the girls, but I always keep my head on a swivel in cities and this was nothing that we have not experienced in NYC, etc. That said, driving through the lower areas to get to and from the highways was a bit disturbing and sad, but again nothing beyond other major cities.
There were a few empty storefronts on the waterfront, sad to see Aliotos gone, but Pier 39 was mobbed, Alcatraz boats were full, there were tourists everywhere, many European, and the Buena Vista and Scoma's (one of my all-time favorite restaurants) were as great as you expect. We usually avoid the tourist areas, except for Scomas, but this was our daughter's first time to SF so tourists we were.
Funny, back in the hotel I was watching the news and caught some talking head saying that SF was dangerous, a mess and no longer a great city...wonder what SF he was talking about?
When was the last time you visited?
And SF will never get too bad, at least not in some sections for one simple basic reason; money and lots of it. There is so much wealth in the city, both residents and businesses, that the Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, etc. will always be decent because for all the city leadership's posturing, the residents won't tolerate otherwise. Same for the tourist areas, they are economic engines and while the city leadership may be lefty ideologues, they are not all stupid.
And SF will never get too bad, at least not in some sections for one simple basic reason; money and lots of it. There is so much wealth in the city, both residents and businesses, that the Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, etc. will always be decent because for all the city leadership's posturing, the residents won't tolerate otherwise. Same for the tourist areas, they are economic engines and while the city leadership may be lefty ideologues, they are not all stupid.
As for me, I'm conflicted as I have a foot or at least a toe on both 'teams'
As our friend in Pacific Heights says "crime don't climb"
The wife and I walked from Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square-no issues what so ever. Of course we have been to some countries in South America with Militia patrolling all over (many don't get out much on here)-which would freak some out.
People like that scare me and your words "mostly harmless" doesnt make it better.
Yeah like the "mostly peaceful riots"
It is scary. On so many levels. One such level is that could easily have been me.
I read that there used to be a super thriving abiloni fishery in the Bay... Up until they started treating the human sewage before dumping in the water
