For the couple of nights we'll be in SF, staying in the Cow Hollow area, we'll be out til about midnight at the theatre (Golden Gate (at Taylor & 6th), and the theatre at 678 Green where Beach Blanket Babylon is playing -- and wondered if we could walk back to Lombard from there -- (ie is it pretty safe?) -- or should we take a cab? Anticipating your input...and thanks all!!

Beach Blanket Babylon you can walk around that area safely, however Golden Gate Theatre--do NOT walk! Take a taxi. The area is very sketchy. After the show you are surrounded with normal theatre goers but once they dissapate you are in skid row.

Hi onthegogo, do you have a map of SF?

I ask because the walk from the Golden Gate Theatre to Lomabard is blocks and blocks away. There is no way I would walk that in the dark! Safe? NO!!!
Get a taxi for sure.

I do not know where you are staying on Lombard but after the BBB on Green St.I would want to take a taxi also.

Thanks for the quick replies.....taxi(s) it is!! We love walking in SF - so interesting....but don't want to run into any bad guys! Thanks for the advice.

Hi onthegogo, I love walking in SF too, more then most people probably. But there is a time and a place to walk in SF.

I am so glad you will take taxi's after these wonderful evening events.

Welcome to SF and have a wonderful time!

Hi onthegogo,
LoveItaly gives the perfect answer. There are numerous neighborhoods in S.F. that are o.k. in the daylight, but are rather not o.k. at night. Taylor & 6th is not a great place day or night. The cabs know when shows let out, so there are many crusing around - please take one back to North Beach.

I've walked that many times (having stayed in Cow Hollow a lot), but admitedly it is a very long walk, particularly at night.

You can also get the bus right at Washington Square Park just about a block from BBB, and it goes right to Cow Hollow, and along Chestnut. I've taken it many times from downtown or from North Beach until as late as 1 or 2 AM -- no problem.

Duh, that wasn't very clear. I was mainly referring to the walk from BBB, not from 6th and Taylor. I'd suggest a taxi from there also back to Cow Hollow.

Patrick, I am glad you clarified that!
I was thinking "no, no" do not walk from 6th and Taylor. Take care!

If you don't walk from Taylor @6th Street you'll be missing all enterntainment the Tenderloin district has to offer: streetwalkers, street vendors (read: prostitutes, drug dealers). And if you are lucky enough, a few gun shots will be added here and there.

And you paid for theater tickets, silly!

Nobody mentioned the big hill that you immediatly ascend walking from 6th & Taylor to Lombard. It likely won't be a problem, because you will probably get accosted before you reach the hill & will be taken to your hotel in a police car or ambulence. That area is really bad at night.

I don't see anything wrong with walking from BBB by going north on Columbus to the Cannery, then through Ghiradelli, then along Bay to Gough and back to Lombard. It's flat, and would be quite enjoyable.

Stu Dudley
San Mateo (San Francisco), Ca

My comment is general, as I've only visited downtown San Fran a few trips... I found things change VERY quickly from block to block in some places.

To the point that wandering mid-day near the edge of the Tenderloin a reasonably sane looking stranger stopped us saying "don't go that way!".

Thanks again everyone for the replies.....fun to read too. Glad to hear there will be taxis available after the show.

Jumping in here...where is the Tenderloin area??

Hi girlonthego, well my definition of The Tenderloin is west of Union Square (NOT Union Square) about Mason St. to Van Ness Ave.(the streets run south to north and north of Market about Turk to oh say Geary St. (the streets run east to west). Not sure if that is 100% correct, someone else here like Stu Dudley, Faina etc. could no doubt give a better guideline.

You will know, without a doubt, when you wander into it. One block can be fine and the next block is like night and day. I always suggest visitors do their exploring during the daylight hours rather then at night, so at night you know where to not wander into.

Don't let this stress you out, well except if you want to walk from Market and 6th after any seeing an evening performance!! You will pick pick up immediately when you wander into a block that you would not prefer. I think our Stu Dudley and Faina gave very good descriptions BTW. As funny as they were they are also correct.

Thanks, I think we will cable car and walk during the day and cab home at night. Better safe than sorry when you are an out of towner..

Hi girlonthego, walking IMHO is one of the joys of SF! It is what I enjoy most.

At night, when there is a long walk I prefer a taxi too. North Beach is fine at night, lots of people are out enjoying outside cafes, walking around etc. Same at Union Square. Not a problem.

Take good care.

Hi, onthegogo!

I'm neither Faina nor Stu - don't look like them either, especially Stu!

However, the boundaries for the SF Tenderloin are:

Market Street to the South
Post Street to the North
Van Ness to the West and
Powell Street to the East

(Take a taxi!) Have a fine trip!

Where is the Tenderloin?

Ha!

Go ask a stranger outside one of those GirlsGirlsGirls theaters where the tenderloin is, he'll be more than happy to show you...

gross,
roxy

Hi Easytraveler, you say The Tenderloin starts at Powell St. at the east. I am afraid that gives visitor the impression that Powell St. is part of The Tenderloin. Powell St. is the west side of Union Square. Where the St. Francis Hotel is. Where the Sir Francis Drake Hotel is, Scala's restaurants etc.

In other words dear one you are saying for example that the corner of Post St. and Powell St. (where Sak's is) is part of The Tenderloin.

I gently disagree.