How? I was in the city for a week and saw more needles on the street than the slums of China.
Even the townsfolk would complain about some mental hospital closing down forcing mentally ill people to live on the streets and you could see them everywhere.
That said, I didn't have a guide, I'd just walk with friends for an hour or two aimlessly starting from the pier. On the other hand, this is how I'm used to do it and I've been to 20+ countries.
All cities have bad parts. San Francisco is somewhat unique amongst places that I've visited, in that most of the tourist traps are either in or are immediately next to the absolute worst parts of town.
Even the townsfolk would complain about some mental hospital closing down forcing mentally ill people to live on the streets and you could see them everywhere.
That said, I didn't have a guide, I'd just walk with friends for an hour or two aimlessly starting from the pier. On the other hand, this is how I'm used to do it and I've been to 20+ countries.