Is Southeast Downtown Hollywood safe?
Hollywood, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Southeast Downtown Hollywood as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Southeast Downtown Hollywood
“Go with care. Southeast Downtown Hollywood offers convenient access to historic dining, murals, and ArtsPark at Young Circle, but visitors should remain vigilant off the main corridors. Elevated property crime and occasional late-night street incidents mean caution is advised after dark.”
City initiatives have boosted downtown police presence and code enforcement around Young Circle to address property theft and transient-related disturbances.
About the area
Southeast Downtown Hollywood is an evolving urban district combining mid-century apartment buildings, newer residential towers, and active commercial corridors. It serves as a gateway between downtown's dining core and primary transit routes like Federal Highway and Dixie Highway.
- Urban Transitional
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Nightlife Heavy
- Arts & Murals
Walking and biking in Southeast Downtown Hollywood
Walk score: 88/100 · Bike score: 72/100
East-west bike lanes along Hollywood Boulevard provide direct cycling connections east to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, though citywide shared micro-mobility hubs are limited.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate access to the bustling arts, entertainment, and restaurant corridor on Hollywood Boulevard
- Continuous municipal streetscape improvements and modern mixed-use residential developments
- High daytime pedestrian presence provides safety in numbers in core commercial areas
Cons
- Elevated rates of vehicle break-ins, bicycle theft, and property crime compared to suburban Broward
- Higher poverty and rental-density figures in older multi-family pockets off the main strip
- Side residential streets and alleys become sparsely lit and quiet late at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately prevalent, with individuals often congregating around bus shelters along Federal Highway (US-1) and shaded perimeter areas of Young Circle.
What Southeast Downtown Hollywood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are peaceful and safe, with service staff prepping venues and locals walking dogs toward the park.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons bring steady commercial foot traffic and lunch crowds, feeling open and secure along main streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are lively and energetic around restaurant rows, though peripheral blocks require standard street smarts.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late night sees increased bar traffic alongside an uptick in panhandling and property crime risks; avoid poorly lit side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) operates frequent service across routes 1, 7, and 80 along Federal Highway and Hollywood Boulevard, while the Hollywood Tri-Rail commuter rail station is roughly 1.5 miles northwest.
Street parking is regulated through metered pay-by-plate zones ($1.50–$2.00/hour), with reliable off-street options available at the nearby Van Buren and 20th Avenue municipal garages.
Things to do in Southeast Downtown Hollywood
- Explore the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project featuring large-scale contemporary outdoor street art
- Attend live concerts, food truck rallies, or outdoor movie screenings at ArtsPark at Young Circle
- Dine and sample craft beers along the historic Hollywood Boulevard entertainment strip
Local favorites
- The Tipsy Boar · Gastropub · 4.4★ (2150)Popular lively pub serving creative craft burgers, stone-fired pizzas, and an expansive beer list.
- Mauro's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (1820)No-frills downtown staple famous for serving colossal New York-style pizza slices late into the night.
- Runas Peruvian Cuisine · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.6★ (1140)Polished eatery offering authentic Peruvian ceviches, tiraditos, and traditional Andean specialties.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.