Ellis St, Downtown

Whether you are going to Union Square or to the Westfield Center, the Ellis street garage has cheap parking. It's not really clean, but it's safe during the day. At night, another story with lots of homeless people, drug addicts and accidental tourists. Ellis Street runs smack dab between the two worst neighborhoods in all of San Francisco - the Tenderloin and the Western Addition. Thanks to the Glide Foundation there is no shortage of homeless people hanging around. Don't get me wrong, I think the Glide Foundation is amazing but they can't provide for everyone.

Ellis Street is about Glide Memorial Church for me. Glide is one of the truly positive community hubs in the area. I’m not really a religious person, though in full disclosure I should say that I was raised Methodist and that I was named after my grandfather that was a minister in the Methodist Church—but I personally have fallen away from any sense of faith. That said, Glide Church is just a great organization to have in a city. First of all they are very accepting of everyone in their community regardless of race, sexual orientation, or even faith (or lack their of). Going to their services is one of the most uplifting things that you can do and I would highly recommend it. It is like going to a Gospel concert. Finally, they help the homeless and those in need with the same catholic spirit. And I’m saying this as basically an atheist who is squeamish about religious groups and their agendas when it comes to charities.

As to the rest of the street nearby, it is a lot of flop houses and squat buildings that most people would really find depressing. It goes right through the Tenderloin as you move west along Ellis so it is about what you would expect from such a beaten down part of town. You get some Vietnamese places as well—probably because you cut through Little Saigon for a bit--and St. Mary’s Church—which I understand is also fairly open for a Catholic Church but that I have no first hand knowledge of.

I would not really recommend that you live here, however. The murder rate in the Tenderloin is close to he highest in the city and regardless of who you are, I doubt that you want to put your life and well-being on the line day after day and night after night.

I'll be the first to admit it, I'm a sucker for a great steak. I've heard great things about the San Francisco steak and seafood traditions, so on my first trip out I had to see for myself. John's Grill on Ellis was a perfect destination. The cuisine perfectly matched my love for Italian food with my craving for quality cuts of meat. The historic decor provided a pleasant environment for my meal, and the staff was very friendly. Would definitely give this place another go!!

Great street located in the heart of San Francisco, it's walking distance to famous Neighborhoods like Chinatown, Nob Hill, the famous Cable Cars, shopping and dinning. Also, a couple blocks from here you can find the BART transit line - Powell Street Station which is a great transportation alternative to and from the San Francisco or Oakland Airports.

Ellis St. between Polk and Larkin is an ok street to live in. I have been living in this street for over 68 months but have been in the Tenderloin for nearly 5 years. This street can be noisy at times as it is in the middle of a rather active district. This street is a bit quieter, though, and safer, as it is closer to Van Ness Ave. (one block away) and from Larkin, it is actually much quieter than going towards Market down street on Ellis. There are not that many homeless people on this one street, but there are a couple that don't bother anyone and after a while they actually nod at you when passing by.

You can find Vietnamese food, Mandarin food and Thai food restaurants that are cheap and good to eat at. Excellent for the starving student.

Ellis (between Polk and Larkin) can be considered a safe street as crime doesn't seem to occur between this cross streets.

The apartments run on the average pricing that is currently here in the city but the studios around this street (the ones I have seen), are larger than on other streets. Probably due to Ellis /Polk and Larkin being right in the middle of the Tenderloin.

A lot of people new to the area tend to be afraid to walk on this street but it is not a street to worry about, even at night. Approaching the street from Polk street gives more security to people thanks to there being more light on the street.

If you wonder about tech, it is easy to gain wireless internet for around 30 a month. ATT services the area, so DSL can be obtained also. Cell phone reception inside the building can be a bit problematic, depending on the carrier but you can get signal ok.

Ellis Street is a one-way street mainly known for its short part in downtown San Francisco and the Tenderloin District. Like many San Francisco streets, Ellis begins on Market Street and runs westward. The street itself isn’t very long but it is a relatively busy street. There are a lot of retail shops and stores on Ellis. One of the main Cable Car stations is right off of Ellis and there are lots of various stores and restaurants around that section. As you go west away from Market, the retail and shops begin to decrease, but not before you hit a few hotels and the Tenderloin district.

The Tenderloin District is known as San Francisco’s homeless district and as Ellis runs straight through it, you will notice that you have hit the Tenderloin as there will be many more people on the street. Liquor stores, small run-down restaurants, and small apartments occupy this area. The area gets better as you go even more westward as you will eventually pass Van Ness Avenue and hit an area with nice apartment housing.