Prostitutes San Francisco
Maiden Lane’s journey from brothels to boutiques reflects San Francisco’s shifting urban landscape. Yet open prostitution persists in Oakland neighborhoods today, drawing ongoing complaints. Notable brothels near San Francisco include the Garden of Eden, Condor, and Power Exchange. Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club also operates locally, holding mixed reviews. Historical figures like the “Vice’s Angels” highlight the city’s complex relationship with sex work, with streetwalkers active in the Mission for decades. The old SF Redbook site, shut down by the FBI years ago, was once a notorious hub.
Enforcement and Community Response
Recent incidents include an alleged sex worker arrested for attacking a homeless woman in August 2024. Responding to resident complaints about street prostitution, SFPD launched the Dear John
program targeting buyers through sting operations. Simultaneously, Mission District residents filed a lawsuit in May 2024 over disruptive sex work. Police pose as workers to bust suspected Johns – 30 arrests occurred in February 2024 alone. Another resident lawsuit followed in August 2025 as barriers on Capp Street displaced activity elsewhere.
Street Dynamics and Historical Context
Street pricing ranges from $30-$50 for hand-jobs to $50-$150 for sex. The situation on Capp and Shotwell Streets is described as Whac-A-Mole
, with one resident counting 27 sex workers in a single night. Residents report nightly street takeovers have spiraled out of control
, comparing blocks to the Las Vegas Strip
. Historical context includes 19th-century Chinese prostitutes and a CIA-run brothel involved in LSD testing. Advocacy groups like BAYSWAN fight discrimination while enforcement stings continue, including 30 arrests in August 2024.
*TAGS* – Dear John program, Capp Street barriers, Mission District lawsuits
