Tenderloin's not scary... unless you believe in the germ theory.

The ghetto of San Francisco. Back when I was just a tourist in the Bay Area, I was told to avoid this place at all cost because it was run-down and possibly dangerous. In reality, I think the people who wander the streets here are too cracked out to pose much of a physical threat. If you can handle the depressing atmosphere, you can find some cool bars (Bourbon and Branch is one of them) and relatively cheap, good-quality apartments in this neighborhood.

The Tenderloin is a bad neighborhood. Maybe it is not that bad compared to other cities but for San Francisco it is. Some parts are still called the Tenderloin but they are not really that bad. The rule of thumb that I heard when I first got there from someone who lived there was that the streets were better the higher you go up. That is not always true now since people do go down below Market St.

There is nothin' tender bout the loin, baby! Wouldn't suggest walking this area alone but I have before and been ok. You will see lots of stuff happen around you when your in the tenderloin!!!! But I usually just try to keep my eyes on the pavement and try to keep moving along! Funny characters in this part of town. It's dirty also. There is an amazing restaurant on 6th and Market though called Tu-Lan! Try it! Tasty!

This place is not for families. For every intersection you can see a strip club or so. Nights are really horrible with people shouting in the streets.

But the convinenece to access grocery stores, shops, transportation is a strong addon to this place.

Desperately poor, and like all such neighborhoods potentially dangerous.

Most cities of this size have a district like this, and San Francisco's version is no worse than most and better than some.

The poorest section of town, ironically within blocks of some of the wealthiest. Not just poor though. Desperate. My wife worked at the Senior Center down there and could see people shooting up in the alley behind the center on a regular basis.

The tenderloin is actually very beautiful...but the prostitution, drugs and trash ultimately makes it depressing.