Before moving to San Francisco I always imagined it as the quiet older brother to Los Angeles. With LA known as the happening celebrity breeding ground, San Fran misses a lot of the hype. Much to the delight of the residents, most people outside the Bay Area wouldn’t partner the city with having a braggadocios nightlight. Which may or may not be true the fact of the matter is people who visit usually aren’t looking to get hammered through the midnight hours.
I’m not sure what it is exactly that people associate with San Francisco. There are a lot of people who would tell you that the world-class cuisine sets the city apart. Others believe that the passionate sports fans and the teams they follow are what defines the Bay Area. Yet a multitude of residents will tell you that the proximity to Redwood Park, Muir Woods, and Yosemite National Park are the greatest gift to living in NorCal. From my time spent living here, I can tell you that none of these answers are wrong. There is certainly much to be said about San Francisco but one significant truth is that the city is spilling with variety.
When traveling to the Bay Area it’s important not to get caught up in one aspect or landmark. Understandably the Golden Gate Bridge is a global landmark, and anyone visiting or living in SF should get out and take full advantage the visual wonder. But there is more to offer outside of the token ”sights” that you may be accustomed to. One example is Dog Patch, a small community outside downtown San Francisco. As a former shipbuilding hub, Dog Patch is an industrial area with several old warehouses reconstructed to loft-style apartments, restaurants, and art galleries. Dog Patch also houses the Museum of Craft and Design – the only San Francisco museum dedicated to modern and contemporary craft and design. In contrast to the industrial/hipster vibe that is portrayed in Dog Patch there is a more upscale feel to another one of San Fran inner communities, Russian Hill.
Looking at Google Image pictures of San Francisco there are sure to be numerous shots displaying the steep hills and curvy roads. Hills in and around the city make for an interesting dynamic when it comes to roads and building structure. This is especially evident in Russian Hill. One of the more costly districts, Russian Hill is recognized as the premier high end neighborhood with views of nearly the entire peninsula. It is also known as the location of Lombard Street, the famous curved road that epitomizes the nature of most city roads. There are quite a few shops and restaurants in Russian Hill and they embody the same elegance that goes along with the community. But that doesn’t mean every store is like walking down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. Polk Street, a central roadway in Russian Hill, is home to a designer boutiques as well as retro shops to meet the needs of all shoppers. Russian Hill is another San Francisco town that is more than just that. Something that should be experienced for more than the headlining allure.
To enjoy, but more importantly, understand the vibe and culture that is the Bay Area there are not enough articles or magazines to give you what being here will give. Although I have not figured out the true identity of this city, I do not feel it needs one. Because there is not one or a couple significant aspects that define the city as a whole. Instead San Francisco gives you enough diverse enticement, whether outdoors, downtown, or by the water to satisfy all, from the born-n-raised to the welcomed newcomers.
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