Never felt unsafe in Mexico, and was especially taken care of during 9/11 when we were in Cabo. We had to drive the Baja to get back to the states and walk across the border. Lots of armed Mexican police on the way, no trouble. Of course, that trip was a long time ago but I very much appreciated the hospitality we got.
Regarding California, I take that with a grain of salt also. One time we were at a conference in San Jose. I was looking for places to eat and found a highly rated restaurant. Every local I told was telling me I can't go there, it was too dangerous. So, I of course went. It's San Jose. Sure enough, got there, and the only thing I saw were lots of people from differnet ethnicities, including mine (white). No trouble at all. I took the comments regarding how unsafe it was as being from suburban richer folks who simply did not appreciate being in the city with others unlike them (as that was the crowd at the conference). I grew up in Cleveland Ohio, city. Every group hated every group. If I walked on Hough Avenue at the time, I would not have come home almost certainly. Same thing if I went down to W 25st St. That was not San Jose, or at least the area I was in. Sometimes, comments from locals, who you might think know more about the area, have to be filtered.
Am I influenced by the crime reports? Not really. I have so much exploring still to do inside and outside the US. Mexico just isn't on the radar for the next couple of years.
