San Francisco Health and Safety

Like most big US cities, San Francisco has its share of crime, but prudent travelers are not at any undue risk. Certain neighbourhoods are seedier than others and considered relatively unsafe, especially at night and for those walking alone; these include the Tenderloin, parts of the Mission, the Western Addition and 6th and 7th Sts south of Market. However, these areas are not always sharply defined, and travelers should be aware of their surroundings whenever they walk in the city. After dark, some of the city's parks, particularly Dolores Park and Buena Vista Park, become havens for drug dealing and unsavoury behaviour. The Bayview-Hunters Point neighbourhood north of 3-Com (Candlestick) Park, where the 49ers play, is plagued by a high crime rate and frequent violence and is not particularly suitable for wandering tourists.