Urban Safari Ventures Into Gang Injunction Zone (Video)

Kris M the videographer asks, “What the fuck is this?” Indeed, one’s first instinct is to wonder what this Urban Safari expedition could possibly be doing this far from Pier 39.

But a quick perusal of the firm’s website reveals they do do “Ethnic-Themed Tours.” Perhaps that’s what the fuck this is, Kris M. And they do “Treks to Famous Movie Sites”; maybe they caught the La Mission premiere too.

Or? Any other ideas?

(Thanks, Vinnie!)

14 Responses to “Urban Safari Ventures Into Gang Injunction Zone (Video)”

  1. G. says:

    A tour bus dropped off a (bus) load of people not twenty feet from where this picture was taken yesterday afternoon.

    This would be the sixth Mission tour I’ve personally seen in a the last couple of months.

  2. Eric says:

    Yeah, I’ve seen these guys drive down Utah st. around 24th. In the middle of the day. I have no idea what they’re looking for — there’s not much on Utah, not even crackheads, until you get to SF General. I’ve also seen them parked around Church and 24th.

  3. Katie Ann says:

    I saw this on Thursday at 7:55am in Glen Park.

  4. 18th at Harrison says:

    Hm. Well. Huh. Uh. Maybe we should break out the hardware and oblige them. And by the way otherwise vile taggers, feel free to nail that truck as it passes.

  5. sfortunata says:

    The Urban Safari dude has been taking groups to La Taqueria for years. The staff call him “Señor Safari” when they call out his order. I can’t tell you how lame it is to be in there when one of his tours is there trying to order and hogging up all the tables.

  6. Alison says:

    I’ve seen the truck parked on Laidley near Glen Park. Probably where the owner lives.

  7. mark says:

    yeah that’s funny, i was walking up on laidly in the rain yesterday and saw 2 of those urban safari trucks. they make the passengers wear safari jackets and vests, which is kind of embarrassing, but also kind of awesome.

  8. johnny0 says:

    When I am sitting the park drinking a beer and they drive by in a caged truck wearing a safari jacket, I think the joke is on them.

  9. Junk Thief says:

    These guys come over the the 24th Street eastern corridor often, slumming in Balmy Alley. I’ve not seen them much the past year, perhaps another victim of the new depression.

  10. Ria says:

    Yeah, that guy comes into my retail shop once in a while. He’s a prick even without the truck. We’ve kicked him out of the shop for being an entitled ass and he still comes back.

  11. Quiq da Snuiq says:

    I’m not so sure what the beef is. These guys take people into the Mission. Most other tour companies won’t go anywhere near La Taqueria or Balmy. Tourists get to eat a bomb-ass burrito and see some great murals. In my mind, this is a better alternative to them sitting around some tourist trap at Pier 39 eating some boo-boo. I don’t get the elitist attitude.
    Those murals were meant to be seen. If people want to go to the Mission, who is anyone to say they can’t?
    I’ve met the owner before, and he seems like a decent enough guy. I’ve seen their trucks all over town, not just the Mission. At least he’s exposing people to a little culture.

  12. Missionnative says:

    We need to welcome these guys into the mission. They provide business to the restaurants on 24th St. I see them on 24th during the warm months. They come and enjoy our murals, provide business to the local latino community. If we run them off we are hurting the latino small merchants and our neighborhood. Times are tough for everyone. Every time something good happens in the hood others that do not know this community run them off. Who is really hurting who. As a mission native lets support our community and allow us to flourish.

    • zinzin says:

      i think these are excellent comments. thank you missionnative.

      • rachael says:

        i agree. i’ve seen the guy who does these tours around and he seems like a very decent fellow. just because he isn’t sporting the popular mission ‘amish beard n skinny jean’ look does not mean he has no right to venture into the neighborhood. would his gig go over better with youngish mission transplants if he drove a giant pbr can around? haha, i kid. sort of.