An area spanning from 2nd and Townsend to Mission and 5th which I would consider to be the more gentrified area. Sucks. Can you believe that someone got shot to death right inside the Metreon? Good grief! Saw the post-shooting blood, 5 people shot, at Stillman and 3rd and another shooting (just one poor random person though) in the Townsend crosswalk between 3rd and 4th. I've seen some really messed-up stuff. I could go on and on- look at SFgate's homicide map and you can check out the mayhem!

With the exception of being run over, my personal attacks were in the area where Kozik has his studio. It was so sad, after I got mugged, I went to Fairtex Kickboxing to learn some self-defense but stopped going after I moved- I later learned that the owner, who was such a nice guy, was shot to death right outside the studio(which was around Harrison and 5th) a few years ago.

By the way, I'm not saying all of SOMA is a cesspool and you're gonna get hurt- if that was the case, I would have stayed in Russian Hill- but if you're visiting, know where you're going, avoid a few of the blocks and a few choice messed up streets/alleys buried in the nice ones, stay alert and you're going to be fine.

SF is a dense city and not very big. A lot goes down in many places. You would think Japantown is fairly safe but there have been stabbings and shootings. Every city has their crop of bad people. The neighborhoods are very deceiving and what sometimes looks safe, is sometimes not as safe as you think.
As far as things to do...Haight street is interesting, both Upper and Lower. A ride on the 30 Stockton is also interesting as it passes through different neighborhoods of SF...although you may not want to take it at night if you're heading towards the ballpark. Plastichunter's "tour" sounds about right if you want to see the different neighborhoods. It is a very interesting city and there are tons of places to go eat.

Yup, SOMA by Koziks place is shady, especially at night.I would walk back and forth to the BART when I was working for him and see and almost be involved in some crazy/scary/goofy stuff.

In other words..

Welcome to SF lurker.

jebus!
i've lived in east l.a. and south l.a. for 24 years of my life, and i am scared to go to the wrong places in s.f. at night

I'll be at the store tomorrow for, and b4, the show. Looking forward to seeing the BASK crew again. It's been too long.

Yeah it's been way long, I can't wait to see everyone.
Lurker I hope you've been having fun in SF and haven't gotten in any trouble. You should do some touristy stuff too check out Fisherman's Warf there's a lot of stuff to look at around there and as far as I know it's pretty safe. Don't forget about the East Bay if you have time.

take the ferry to alcatraz. its one of the best historical tours of a prison ever. Pay for the headphones and you will take a voice-guided tour led by former inmates and guards. its fun, educational, and a little messed up. you can sit in al capones solitary cell.

I didn't want to start a brand new thread, so I figured I could just post here

I'll be in the area this weekend (Marin for the most part, but definitely want to try to make it in to the store)
Anything going on?
Is Sat or Sun a better day to stop by?