San Francisco's Worst Neighborhood is Actually Great 

Skid row’s so much worse than the tl. Larger, dirtier, much more sad, far less to do, far fewer cool places to eat, coffee, theatre, drink, etc. it just sucks. TL has way more to offer, it’s much smaller with fewer nooks to hide in. Thanks for highlighting some of the highlights

"the most dangerous place in the country" as someone from Chicago i lol'd

I had the experience of staying near the Tenderloin for two nights (YOTEL on 7th and Market) last week. During the day, the Market St. section and the actual Tenderloin section (further North) were mostly normal. A few drug addicts and homeless here and there, but I was surprised at how full it is with people who are just living their daily lives (running errands, picking up groceries, getting coffee, etc.) I also had no idea the Tenderloin was full of so many ethnic much mom and pop shops, that's becoming a rarity as SF has gotten more expensive. I got a cheap breakfast at some Middle Eastern corner market here and it was one of the highlights of my trip just because it gave me hope that regular people can still make it in SF. I'm from Los Angeles and our worst neighborhood is Skid Row, which is 10x worse than the Tenderloin. You will not find regular people in Skid Row, It's ALL misery. I'm not going to sugarcoat it though, the area (7th and Market) was straight-up apocalyptic at night. Dozens of homeless people openly using and relieving themselves outside my hotel, a scene I wouldn't expect on a street that was mostly normal-looking during the day. Even then, it didn't feel like I was in danger at any moment walking through them. As a disclaimer, I'm a CA native who's visited San Francisco about 10 times before, and not since 2019. I had only driven through the Tenderloin but never actually walked in it until last week. Having known the Tenderloin's reputation and hearing it all over the news lately (implying that it had gotten EVEN WORSE), I was extremley concerned about what i'd be facing. Needless to say, media and RU-vid propagandist coverage was extremely exaggerated. If you're a single woman or have children, I'd still recommend you avoid this area though.

I walked down Polk St at 3am last night, from Leavenworth to Market. I probably saw around 40 homeless people during the walk. I didn't feel unsafe though. Nobody even attempted to interact with me (well, except some prostitutes). Everyone is just minding their own business and getting high. It was kinda shocking to see so many people just preparing their drugs out in the open, not even trying to hide it, and many others "frozen" in that weird hunched-over position that seems characteristic of a fentanyl high.

My wife and I go to the tenderloin a lot. We see a lot of shows at the GAMH. We regularly eat at Tommys and love walking around there. Never been bothered by homeless or hit up for money. Not saying there isn't crime. Some musicians refuse to play around there due to car break ins. Still great video. Thanks for sharing a light on the good.

Thank you for the relatively positive take. So refreshing vs the nonstop SF bashing that seems to exist everywhere, by, I'm sure, people who have never even been there. Long time lover of SF myself. The open drug use and thefts are sad and sickening. Still love the city.

The moral of this video ... "Oakland is worse".

Finally a reasonable story about the tenderloin. It’s very easy to make propaganda about this neighborhood but this video shows how it really is. Thanks from SF!

All major cities in U.S. have homeless people and public drug use. San Francisco is not alone.

This is a great example of how issues like these are reported. There is crime, there is homelessness and drug use, and it's really sad - these people need help - but it's not some warzone. People who live there just want to live their lives, and often there's far more places of value than the news would lead you to believe. I'm from Philadelphia and constantly I hear from others about how bad Philly is, usually from people who never go to the city themselves and experience all of the good that the city has to offer.

You'll never have a problem if you just keep moving and be polite with people, its when you stop to loiter around the liquor store or smoke a cigarette on the street - its like people think your new on the streets so they ask the basics, "where are you from? where are you going? do you have any money or want any dope?" The exchange's don't have to be any scarier than that, be courteous be professional street people live there and your just passing through.

The Black Cat and Mr. Tipple's jazz clubs are in the Tenderloin. That's good enough for me.

I live in Polk and Market. I love it here

Actual SF resident here: Great video! You do a great job showing BOTH realities. The Tendy does have unhoused individuals and crime, BUT it has some of the best gems in the city! From the jazz bars, to the food stalls that existed at la comida, to some of the best bars in SF. Don’t sleep on the Tendy. If it didn’t have such an underrated perception, I feel like it would be the most expensive part of town due to its location and ease to get around.

As someone here has indicated.... LA's Skid Row is far, far more desperate..... And is a much larger area. Geographically, the Tenderloin is a small section of SF.

I used to live in the Tenderloin. It's not as dangerous as Hunter's Point.

There is so much potential here, SF loses out on so much keeping the Tenderloin in such a shitty state.

A few years back on a road trip I got the cheapest airbnb I could find. Turned out it was right on the edge of the tenderloin. As soon as I got there I looked out the window and saw police pull up, but they didn’t seem to do anything. After that I walked around town for like 3 hours but to get back I had to walk through the tenderloin. I was all alone but it really wasn’t that sketchy. Everyone seemed to mind their own business

It’s really dirty and it stinks, but it’s not nearly as dangerous as it looks

I have been going to the TL for lunch once or twice a week for the last 7 years. No issues.

Adam! I stumbled across your videos and thought “I know him!” I really love your topics and the depth/history you go into about each. Very honest storytelling, which is refreshing these days. Keep it up! Can’t wait to see what you share next.

Another wonderful informative video Adam! I really appreciate the fair balance in this video. Don't forget that the Tenderloin is also home to Little Saigon with a lot of wonderful restaurants that serve Vietnamese cuisine. Also for some reason, you kind of remind me of *Raymond Stone* who is another similar sized RU-vid channel who is based here in San Francisco😉👍💯

Saying you're 'more likely to be a victim of a crime in Oakland' is not a very good vouch for the safety of a place.

Thanks for covering the cool spots in the TL!!!

It's immigrants that keep the TL vital, interesting, and alive with something other than a bleak dystopia. Eateries close all the time there. But thanks to wave after wave of immigrants, keep coming and opening new ones. It's a great place for foodies.

great video, i have hope for sf

Thank you for showing love to my neighborhood!

Used to bartend in the Tenderloin. Ain't nothing tender about that shit.

Up yours Nick Johnson!

~ I think ~ The Biggest thing ~ That I would like to Mention to People ~ About the Tenderloin ~ Is the Fact That ~ Most of the People ~ Who you See Causing All the Problems ~ Weren’t Even Freakin Born in San Francisco ...... But Migrated here from all over the Country & the World. So before you blame SF CA ... Know that they may come from your State Too ...~ 45% of the people who they recently Busted for Drugs in the Sweep... Live in Other Cities .. .. and thats a Fact Jack...

lol, that guy yelling at people @1:44 was outside the Moscone Center yelling at us during my last visit. He has a bullhorn now.

I am very nostalgic about the City, after living there in in the 1970's. I watch real estate videos of SF daily. The City is nowhere near the hellhole portrayed by rightwing media.

What you didnt seem to get with that camera story, is San Fran has decriminalized just about everything, much like Portland.

Hiya Adam Thank you for the great videos with something fresh you showing about SF city. Sometime there are many great places to see in the bad neighbourhood or town.Even you can find great yummy food as well. Sad to see what been happening in San Francisco 🌉 . As usual youtube haters always be here. Best to ignored them just waste of time. Love you man" Adam" Please make more videos. I love them. Keep the good work brother. best regards all way the from Malaysia 🇲🇾.

You seem to have omitted your time spent at the Power Exchange. Hopefully it will be in an upcoming video of its own.

It's going to take a severe and dramatic approach to clean up downtown San Francisco, and the voters are finally beginning to see the light. However, the SF homeless industrial complex will be PISSED. They hate anything that cuts off their gravy train, or exposes their lack of accountability for actually getting people off the street. But this is the move that must be made, before SF slides further into total anarchy and chaos, and joins the ranks of Detroit, Baltimore and Philly for squalor and filth.

Btw some cable car advice, take the California St line instead of the Powel St lines.

Thanks for an informative video. I learned a lot, often areas that look bad I have found have more spirit and love in them that wealthier areas.

I walked from Civic Center BART to Phoenix Hotel for the summer pool parties and the 2 blocks going there were.... scary haha. But I did park near the Phoenix Hotel multiple times and my car never gotten broken into

i agree it's great!

Cellarmaker Brewing on Howard St used to be the best brewery in San Francisco

4th street in Reno, NV looks similarly, but more Destopian

Talk about dululu... I'm sure the deck chairs and pizza on Costa Concordia were top notch...

Literally never been bothered there.

I'm not convinced ... still looks way too bad to go down there.

As someone who has lived in San Francisco since the 70s, I can tell you firsthand that it was once one of the coolest cities with an awesome art and music culture. Now it’s the opposite. The tech culture displaced the local culture that existed their previously and unfortunately, for the most part, they are some of the most bland, lame normies imaginable.

If you ever want to make any updates on the tl let me know because I want to help and contribute in some way. I have a lot of experience with the tl and it's opposite. 30 years bouncing between the world of money, tech and wealth and the streets of the tl.

Underneath the homeless and crime it really is pretty cool. A ton of potential. Had a great meal there once or twice. Also I think they filmed parts of Vertigo there.

Post Covid lock downs San Fran has never fully recovered , & all of those businesses closing down is not just due to the homeless problem, & the junky problem, & the petty crime to the dangerous criminal element , but also due to the lease agreements, & the rent being so expensive ,so retailers decide to close up , cause the rent is super expensive, so why even try to refinance, or renew the lease at the higher rate.. Most shop owned businesses work on small margins , so they can't afford to take a big hit.. San Fran Big wigs haven't been Business Friendly in over 30 years, so it's a slow decline. MY opinion San Fran is NEVER COMING BACK to it's glory days ,because it's a one party system, & because there's just not enough good ideas being put forth that make sense. it's just bad . San Fran suffers from the lack of ability or concerted effort to come together as a community & solve issues it's all about woke ,& DEI ,& all of this other nonsense of identity politics , so it seems as if San Fran is eating itself alive, & cannibalizing the rest of itself.. But the city hasn't always been like this.. sadly there's very little unity in the body of San Fran. unless a dude like Mike Savage ,or Mike himself runs for mayor & is elected , the city is gonna keep going down hill. All those retail stores that have left are never coming back, & not for a long time till the city starts to vote other than left leaning. What ever is left is holding on for dear life... it's your wallet or your life in San Fran.. I predict what the City of San Fran will start to do is sell off it's assets like so many other major blue cities have been doing in order to fund their operations.. & beg the fed Gov for a bailout, because those toxic assets are still on the books, & whose gonna end up holding the bag? yep, the city tax payers.. & who knows maybe the local down town shopping mall where Macy's is currently will be sold off to some rich Saudi prince ,or some rich dude in the UAE ,or even China that will buy up the area, & do gawd knows what with it.. it's all up for grabs...But I bet San Fran Big wigs will sell it at a loss, so the city & the tax payers will take a haircut.. Fuck it sell it to the Mafia . At the end of the day that retail space has to be sold off or auctioned off to the highest bidder.. Again I predict San Fran will end up cannibalizing itself . if I were a civil service worker in San Fran I would just retire ,& take my losses & go home, but that's only if if I just came on the Job. I personally would never sign up to become a firemen ,or police men ,or let alone an EMS worker for the city of San Fran. I just don't have faith in San Fran's pension system or that all those unfunded liabilities will be funded when I retire.. Again this is all based on my opinion of which I could be 100% wrong. Bottom Line I don't have faith or hope that San Fran will ever recover.. it's the next Detroit the people in charge don't have any well thought-out ideas

Protect tender loins

He’s not screaming unintelligibly..he’s screaming about “respecting Yo matha and fatha!

The Tenderloin is actually where I met people who ate cow manure and they knew how to brainwash and defile my mind…Be careful who you talk to and who try to grab your hand out there…I’m not kidding either.

Next Metal Leo is going 2 make video of Closed Tenderloin district. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Appreciate you chronicling the culture of the TL. It is beautiful, but it is disappointing too. In 2017, the first time we came to the city for a music event at the Graham, we walked from our hotel to a merch Pop-up store and it took us straight through the TL. We had NO idea. Everything you saw in the media was right in front of us, yet, we felt "safe." We now are much more savvy about SF. We have attended events at the Phoenix (which was wonderful. We had NO idea) but unfortunately, the Phoenix is for sale, currently and we enjoyed an event at the Great American Music Hall, too. Appreciate this. 🥤

Great video, Tenderloin is on my experiences list. Chinatown on the horizon?

8:10 Stick Figure

Thanks for showing the nice side of our city!

The best gift for me during my life is never visiting San Francisso.

it was great maybe 2 months ago but now everythings closed . its bad again

Oh wow! First, I have this to "Watch Later" (will watch tonight) but I was gonna reach out to you today. Also, I was JUST talking about the Tenderloin in Reddit. It's all about.........timing. Anyhoo, was gonna reach out to see if you're attending the A's Fans Fest this Saturday at Jack London Square. We are going! Would love to chat with ya. Have a cold one.

Almost got in a fight w/ 2 homeless people harrassing me at different times on the same day while walking on polk street from ghirdelli to bill graham. Park my car @ ghirdelli parking structure to avoid broken window, cheaper.

It's always been bad. It should be the hottest neighborhood in town but they have kept it full of welfare hotels.

I suggest that the city must collect tax from those homeless for revenue. lol

Sanfran is overpriced and overrated. The entire city is horrible.

I ❤ San Francisco 🥰🥰

Nancy Pelosi should be deeply ashamed!

The lack of people and open stores in your video says it all. SF is dying, no matter how much lipstick and eye liner you put on it.

You got so many things wrong in this video. But thank you for making a positive video about the to. Ralf is a good man, he has saved me several times.. thank you for including him in the video because he is what you said he is and so much more, I’ve never met anyone with a bigger heart than him. And those aren’t drug dealers, those are fences… maybe have someone who is an actual native help you with your video to make it actually credible. Still a good video. And don’t support dumb ass yuppy business in the TL….they don’t welcome me, an actual TL native, or other actual TL natives..so why should I welcome them? Like you said….they’re where they shouldn’t be. Still, good job on the video.. but it would be cooler to hear from the people that actually live there and.not just what you find on google search… ❤

im from sf. lol no its not a great neighborhood. its hell on earth

I live in the "TenderKnob" but spent years being homeless and lots of time in the Tenderloin, it's really rough sometimes, but sometimes it's chill. However since Trump, Fentanyl and COVID it's gotten worse.🙏🏼☮️

I hated my three visits to San Francisco

Skid row is way worse. Tenderloin people mind their business.

It’s a shithole. And you could definitely get robbed there. You feel safe till something happens.

Nah. /

everyone here who complains about drugs and homeless folks is just plain soft lol

SF has become a meca of misery and despair. Worst place to live, exist and thrive. 🎉😢

Glad to see the Phoenix going strong still

You went lik 10 in the morning, I saw barely any people in the street

great job normalizing the situation!

Nancy Pelosi district.

Who paid you? Probably the tourist board. Tijuana is safer.

phil's looks like it sucks it just has the flags you like lol

Anyone who thinks this is a safe neighborhood… ignore this channel. Ignore this guy.

most exaggerated thumbnail of the week goes to ...

So you just going to ignore all the crime and lowlives

AI thumbnail trash. FOH.

The intro is complete bullshit. Not only is every single data point objectively not true, you also did not cite a single source. How do you expect anyone to believe you when all you've got to offer is "trust me, Bro"? Did you do even 10 minutes of research for that intro? I already know the answer, I just want you to show one single source that corroborates anything that you said there.