San Francisco is a beautiful and diverse city, but it also has some areas that are best avoided, especially after dark. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, you want to stay safe and enjoy your time in the city. Fortunately, Google Maps can help you navigate the city and avoid the bad neighborhoods. Here are some tips on how to use Google Maps to stay out of trouble in San Francisco.
Use the Crime Map
One of the features that Google Maps offers is a crime map, which shows you the locations where crimes are being committed within the city and county of San Francisco. You can access the crime map by going to the website sfgov.org/services/sf-crime-maps and clicking on the link that says “View Crime Map”. You can also search for “SF Crime Maps” on Google Maps and click on the result that says “SF Crime Maps – SFGOV”.
The crime map allows you to see the types and frequencies of crimes that occurred in different areas of the city in the past month, week, or day. You can also filter the crimes by category, such as violent crimes, property crimes, or quality of life crimes. The map uses different colors and symbols to indicate the severity and nature of the crimes. For example, red circles represent homicides, blue squares represent robberies, and yellow triangles represent burglaries.
By using the crime map, you can get a sense of which areas are more prone to criminal activity and which areas are safer. You can also compare the crime rates of different neighborhoods and avoid the ones that have high crime rates. For instance, according to the crime map, some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in San Francisco are Bayview, Visitacion Valley, Lakeshore, Downtown, and Chinatown².
Set Route Options
When you use Google Maps to navigate to a place, you can pick your route preferences. You can choose to avoid tolls, ferries, and highways, but you can also avoid certain areas or streets that you don’t want to go through. This can help you avoid bad neighborhoods or unsafe roads.
To set your route options, follow these steps:
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.
- Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
- Tap Directions.
- Choose the mode of transportation you want to use, such as driving, walking, biking, or public transit.
- Tap Options.
- Tap Avoid and select the options you want, such as tolls, ferries, highways, or specific areas or streets.
- Tap Done.
- Choose a route that avoids the areas or streets you selected.
By setting your route options, you can customize your navigation and avoid any unwanted detours or surprises.
Explore in Street View
Another feature that Google Maps offers is Street View, which allows you to see the street-level imagery of places around the world. You can use Street View to explore and preview the places you want to visit or the routes you want to take. You can also use Street View to check the conditions and surroundings of the areas you want to avoid.
To use Street View, follow these steps:
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.
- Search for a place or drop a pin on the map.
- Tap the place name or address at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the Street View image or the thumbnail that says “See outside”.
- Swipe left or right to see more images of the place.
- To move around, drag the screen or tap the arrows on the road.
- To zoom in or out, pinch the screen or use the + and – buttons.
By using Street View, you can get a realistic and detailed view of the places you want to see or avoid. You can also see the signs, landmarks, businesses, and people that are in the area.
Use Live View
One of the newest and most innovative features that Google Maps offers is Live View, which uses augmented reality to show you the way you need to go with arrows and directions placed right on top of your world. You can use Live View to navigate the city and avoid getting lost or confused.
To use Live View, follow these steps:
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.
- Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
- Tap Directions.
- Choose the mode of transportation you want to use, such as walking, biking, or public transit.
- Tap the Live View button next to the Start button.
- Hold your phone up and point it at the buildings and signs around you.
- Follow the arrows and directions on your screen to get to your destination.
By using Live View, you can see the directions overlaid on your camera view and easily find your way around the city.
Stay Safe and Enjoy San Francisco
San Francisco is a wonderful city with many attractions and experiences to offer. However, it also has some bad neighborhoods that you should avoid for your safety and comfort. By using Google Maps and its features, you can navigate the city and avoid the bad neighborhoods. You can also explore the city and discover new places with confidence. Stay safe and enjoy San Francisco with Google Maps.
