San Francisco info...?

Question

I'm trying to decide on a school to go to and one of my choices is in San Francisco, on Polk Street, around some Opera area. Anybody have information and input on what this neighborhood is like, what it's called, attractions nearby, and how nice and safe the area is? Thanks.

Answer 1

You must be referring to the San Francisco Culinary Academy on 625 Polk Street. The surrounding neighborhood has a very high crime rate and is not very safe after 5:00 PM.

May I suggest that you explore Greystone Culinary Academy in the more spacious and up-scale Napa Valley wine country in Napa, California (approx 45 minutes due east of San Francisco).

I wish you good fortune in your endeavours.



P.S. My coworker's son graduated from the SF Culinary Academy 4 years ago and is now working as one of the souz chefs at the Kapalua Country Club on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

Answer 2

The area around Polk Street is known as "Polk Gulch". It's known as a haven for prostitution, drug dealers, and street hustlers (think 'three card monte' type schemes).



It's not a particularly safe area, especially at night. But if you're street savvy, you should be fine just coming in and out for classes as the Van Ness Avenue subway station is nearby, and there's almost always folks going toward the Sunset District waiting on the platform.

Answer 3

IslandPrince is right about the school and neighborhood (called the Tenderloin), but there are plenty of great places to live within a short bus trip of the CCA. A few options:

*Nob Hill (~Polk & ~Clay)

--- 10 blocks from the CCA

--- moderate prices

--- quite safe (stay north of California Street)

*The Mission (~Valencia & ~20th)

--- the 49 line is a straight shot)

--- fairly cheap

*The Lower Haight (~Haight & ~Fillmore)

--- a little shady, but reasonably safe

--- quite cheap

--- nearby

*The Sunset or the Richmond

--- safe

--- the least expensive in SF

--- a bit of a journey from the Tenderloin



Good luck!

Answer 4

I grew up going to my grandmother's house in SF and was always told was not a good area. I was just there in February and safety was an issue in the evenings...Opera area close to downtown (?not sure) and you just have to imagine every kind of the uniquest of individuals there. SF is a very liberal place, if that is what you are made up of then take it from there I guess. Not recommending it though =)

Answer 5

i wish you all the best i would look up San Francisco in the travel section at your near by book store or library and get all the info you can GOOD LUCK