I was touring San Francisco this past week, staying in the city, and on the first evening that I was there I saw..... street walkers! There was a small group of very attractive, very scantily clad women  walking around approaching men.... and behold I saw one of the women pick up a man. Is this common for San Francisco? This was at Union Square, and the first time that I ever saw anything like it. I didn't know that sort of thing still existed! SF is full of surprises....

I was staying in Union Square the last 3 days and just got back to DC this morning. I was shocked at how hot the street workers were as well.  They were very friendly, not aggresive in any way.  They just walked up to you and chatted you up like they are just hanging out.  I thought it was very cool.  I saw one stunning blond on thursday night, right in front of my hotel. Guys were all over her like bees on honey.  I like the way it was just laid back and everyone just got along.  Also, why do they have so many homeless people in SF?

What hotel were they in front of?

I saw them outside of the Westin St. Francis. Interesting sight! Gorgeous women too.

I remember walking into the bar/club of  the W Hotel in NYC -- the original one on Lex.  Several 20 somethings in clothes hotter and sexier than they were basically walked up to me and asked if I was staying at a hotel near by.  very open about it.

Once I made eye contact around 11pm with a hottie walking down the sidewalk in NYC and she handed me a card with her phone number and rates on it.

Not just SFO!

As for why the homeless, the weather is great and the city welcomes them.  They won't enforce panhandling laws, think it is cruel to institutionalize people who can only function if highly medicated by refuse to take their medication.  They are a "sanctuary" city for just about every cause!

I'm not a SW guy but the SF streetwalker scene has dwindled down a lot from previous years.  From what I know most of the SW traffic is either in the Mission district or East bay along International.  There is a group of SW that are around Union square.  I think one of them posts somewhat frequently on another board.  She is very friendly