Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for staying with us, I'm happy to hear the hostel itself was all you were needing with a safe, clean, and easy vibe!
We know our neighborhood is not for everyone, and can be pretty intense to witness some of the suffering that people without homes or help are experiencing. While the entire west coast of the US/Mexico/Canada are experiencing a crisis with homelessness, this area has always been a sanctuary for those in the most need. So, while it can feel quite unsafe to some, we're actually really proud of the unique character of our neighborhood, and especially of all the amazing local nonprofits working tirelessly to support people who otherwise have nothing.
Our staff do their best to offer context about this area to our lovely and varied guests, and are always happy to offer advise about the best ways to get around and optimize a stay in SF. We offer an onsite (and very inexpensive) bar and lots of cool and eclectic activities for our guests, so you can relax after a long day of exploring, and make some new friends so adventuring is that much more fun!
I hope you'll decide to stay with us again, and when you do feel free to check in about some amazing local volunteer opportunities that we're happy to arrange for our guests. Sometimes giving back is a great way to feel more powerful and help you feel more connected to the positive impact that your staying with us has on this dynamic area.
Happy Travels!
~Molly