The southern half of Polk Street, from Bush to Market Street, is more colloquially known as Polk Gulch, the Western edge of the Tenderloin. Since Polk Gulch has a decent amount of prostitution, drug dealing, and otherwise unsavory activity, it is best to keep aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Nevertheless, the lower section of Polk Street is heavily devoted to the sex industry and some of the more extreme populations in the city.
Restaurants are few, but video stores abound.
In addition to the overtly sexual element, there are a number of new or newly popular bars which cater to a younger, hipper, less gentrified crowd. Terms and Conditions .