As the third month of school approaches and the fall weather rolls in, I find myself missing my beautiful home in San Francisco, California. The weather, the people, the food, and the history all come together to make the City by the Bay, in my humble opinion, one of the best cities around. Although there are many more reasons to live in the city, here are my top five reasons San Francisco is one of the best places to live:
1. San Francisco weather is basically eternally fall.
It’s around this time of year, when the days are growing shorter and the temperatures are dropping to the cool 60s and 50s. The leaves of trees are turning vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. Everyone is starting to break out their cozy sweaters and elegant pea coats, boots, and hats; hot chocolate and apple cider are slowly replacing iced coffee and Frappuccinos. It is glorious. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I wish the weather was like this all the time,” San Francisco has what you’re looking for. SF weather is the best of both worlds; it’s frequently overcast and chilly like fall, but there are definitely days of sunshine and warmth. It rains the most during the months of December and January, but when you find yourself desiring dry skies and sun, they’re there. During the entire year, you can wear everything from shorts and tanks, to sweaters, scarves, and boots. Not to mention, there is nothing more beautiful than watching the slow, looming waves of fog crash (or, rather float) over the city and its landmarks. There’s a reason they painted the Golden Gate Bridge red: because it looks absolutely stunning in the midst of the gray fog.
2. It’s got some of the best food around.
Moving to Colorado has been quite an adventure, but if there’s one thing I miss dearly about the Bay Area it’s the FOOD. Nowhere else can you find such culinary diversity than in the San Francisco Bay Area. Authentic Mexican, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, and Mediterranean, can be found pretty much in the hotspot of any neighborhood; in the City, it’s even better. If you’re jonesing for a good sandwich, West Portal’s Submarine Center will 100% sate your appetite. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse provides some of the best pastries, and Acme Bread Company in the Ferry Building serves up a mean loaf of poppy seed challah. Try the Maple Bacon Donut at Dynamo Donut & Coffee, too! Though there are numerous coffee houses in SF, Blue Bottle still receives my badge of approval. If you’re looking for delicious, creamy coffee, and a classic hipster vibe, look no further; Blue Bottle Coffee has got you covered. We all know that chocolate always goes well with a good cup of coffee, and what better chocolate than Ghirardelli? We even have a whole square dedicated to this delicious local chocolatier. Enjoy a cup of authentic Blue Bottle, and gorge yourself on the Cadbury of the U.S. What could make for a better day?
3. Some of the hottest companies are headquartered in the City by the Bay.
While New York is flooded with its iconic yellow taxis, you can find so many people using services like Uber and Lyft all across the city of San Francisco. These companies were started in San Francisco, but are being used all over the country now. Other companies like Twitter, Instagram, FitBit, the adorable online clothing store ModCoth, and many more are products of and based in this incredible area. And let’s not leave out Lucasfilm and LucasArts! At the Lucasfilm headquarters in the city, you can find a rather quaint fountain featuring Jedi Master Yoda. San Francisco’s innovation and technological prowess make it a true millennial paradise.
4. The location is absolutely prime.
If the autumn-centric weather patterns, beauty of the ocean, or the overabundance of fun and food of San Francisco are a bore, take a short drive north to Napa Valley. Its sunny days, gourmet food, and choice wines are sure to win you over. If you’re looking for more of the beach scene, take a drive south, to Santa Cruz and Capitola. Looking for more of a woodland, outdoorsy vibe? In about three hours you can find yourself in Lake Tahoe. The suburbs around the city are all very quaint and offer a variety of different atmospheres, as well. San Francisco is a central location amidst so many diverse ones.
5. SF has a rich and interesting history, shown in its magnificent landmarks.
One of my personal favorite things to do in San Francisco is sightseeing. Of course, the Golden Gate Bridge is a sight to behold, and Alcatraz is a fun visit with lots of historical tales, but there are tons of smaller attractions that are just as exciting in different ways. If you’re in the mood for classical art, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Legion of Honor Museum will catch your eye. Both were built in conjunction with the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition; the Legion of Honor is a replica of the French Pavilion at the Exposition, which in turn was a replica of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in France. The Palace of Fine Arts was built for the Exposition and has its own replica at Disney’s California Adventure. Beautiful inside and out, these are fantastic photography and picnic spots. Up for more of a modern art scene, or a science-based museum? The de Young and the California Academy of Sciences are fantastic places to go. If you want to see some San Francisco history, the Sutro Baths at Land’s End are lots of fun. Although ruins now, the story behind this natural bathhouse is interesting nonetheless, and Land’s End is a great place to sit and watch the fog roll in. The Ferry Building has good history, too, (built in 1898!) and the opportunity to ride a ferry to Saulsalito, where there are lots of cute shops and gourmet places to eat, right on the water. Chinatown and Japantown are great places to go for fun shops and interesting cuisine, too! Everything considered, San Francisco is one of the best places to find still-standing history in the United States.
All of these things wrapped up into one location really make for one heck of a city. SF has so many layers of people, history, and activities; you’re bound to find your little niche to settle into. So, whether you’re a young hipster, a history buff like myself, or a suave businessperson looking to build a career at a hot new company, San Francisco has what you’re looking for.
