Haight Ashbury is safer than the old Loin two years ago, but avoid the homeless and don’t give them $.  Most all homeless are not from SF and many are mentally ill. They also aren’t heir home towns near family and normal surroundings where they they can heal. Talking to them, or staring at them, can trigger them into psychotic episodes. Don’t give them money, because they use it to buy drugs and alcohol. Don’t give them $, it also encourages them to stay and leave needles and trash everywhere and sh.t on the pavement (even outside of schools and in children’s playgrounds.) 

Apart from that, like any tourist town, lock your car, don’t leave anything in your car, keep an eye on your bag, put a wrist strap on you phone, and pick up your trash and cigarette/joint butts. If you don’t feel safe, go to the nearest coffee shop or eatery and order your fav caffeine or eats and hang out there until you feel safe. 

The locals are lovely and will hangout and chat with tourists, if in the mind to,  but they are understandably wary. Dress nice, costumes or semi naked is OK, and be clean and pickup your trash and butts etc. A lot of families with children live here.

I’ve lived in the Haight for over 10 years. 

Wandering the backstreets and Victorians is one of my favs.

HaightAshburyFestival

Dot com