Mission District

Mission District has SF's best food scene and cool street art, but safety is inconsistent. Valencia Street corridor is generally safer, while areas further east can be sketchy. Great for food and culture during the day, but be careful at night.

The Mission has the best food scene in San Francisco, hands down. Amazing tacos, trendy restaurants, great coffee - it's all here. Valencia Street is the main drag and it's generally safe during the day with lots of foot traffic. But the safety really depends on where exactly you are. Stay west of Valencia and you'll probably be fine. Head east toward Mission Street and beyond, especially around 16th Street, and it gets sketchy fast. You'll see drug dealing in Dolores Park pretty openly, which can be jarring. The street art is incredible and the Latino culture is authentic, but as a solo woman you need to be smart about timing and location. Great for food tours during the day, but take an Uber back to your hotel at night. The gentrification tension is real here - expensive restaurants next to areas with serious poverty and crime.