As with many parts of San Francisco, the neighborhood changes quickly. The immediate area has a few fairly benign strip clubs, but in general you're in Chinatown. You're a few steps away from fancy coffee shops, a few to offices of tech giants, a few to Coit Tower, a few more to the Financial District and some of the most ritzy shops in the world, about the same to the Tenderloin and a major concentration of homeless folks. Overall it's fine.
It's a safe and pleasant area with many restaurants to choose from as well as lots of recreation within walking distance.
I stayed here recently and had no problems. Its on the edge of Chinatown. You are gonna have homeless anywhere in SF you go, it's just the way it is. It's a lot worse around Mission or in the Tenderloin. But it's very mild around the Tortoise.
There's lots to explore right there in North Beach. It has a lot of history. It's safe, much safer than Tenderloin area. You can walk to the pier from there, plus nearby is Chinatown and also the Italian district. Close by is The Beat Museum, City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe.
Immediately around the hotel is the historic strip club district which only adds to the charm. Beyond that is North Beach the Italian enclave with great restaurants and shops.
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