San Francisco Safety After Dark

San Franciscans sometimes seem to get a perverse thrill out of the grittiness of their city. Some of the best nightlife options are in sketchy locations; in the areas we've listed below you're better off cabbing it. Bartenders can call you a ride when you're ready to leave.

• The Tenderloin: Many locals walk to Tenderloin bars, but take a cab if addicts and lowlifes loitering in front of hourly rate hotels give you the jitters. The edges east of Jones Street and north of Sutter Street aren't too bad.
• SoMa: More than five blocks or so south of Market Street is an industrial no-man's-land, though this area becomes more developed and inhabited by flashy residential skyscrapers with each passing year.
• Civic Center: Don't stray north, east, or south of the performing arts venues. The one safe corridor is west to Gough Street, which will bring you into Hayes Valley. Avoid Market Street between 6th and 10th Streets.
• Western Addition: If coming to this neighborhood's music clubs, take a cab or opt for valet parking if it's available.
• The Outer Mission (south of 24th Street): On Mission Street, don't stray below 24th. If you're feeling nervous between 16th and 24th Streets, walk a block west to Valencia Street.

It's safe to walk around the Financial District, Union Square, Haight Street and Cole Valley, Nob Hill, the Mission (above 24th Street), and SoMa north of Howard.