mjstone323

I visited The City by the Bay a number of times throughout my adolescence and adulthood… fell in love with the architecture and the weather. I mostly thought of the area south of here as “northern California” (Palo Alto, Cupertino etc.) and vowed to live there someday. Well – here I am finally! Couldn’t afford to live further south – but it turns out that this is the best place for me. It demands and celebrates the best of everything – art, human nature, culture. It’s like the guy or girl you marry – it makes you want to be a better person, and helps you be that way. It’s maybe not a sexy as other cities, but it makes up for that in substance, intelligence, and heart – prolly why it’s aged so well ;) hugs S. F.

As for travel tips… I’d visit Golden Gate Park every day if I could – I find something beautiful and wondrous every time I go! I haven’t been here long enough to recommend a lot of places – but definitely make the Botanical Gardens a stop on your list, especially in late summer. Gorgeous!

Avoid Chinatown. It’s dirty, smelly, crowded and nasty. You’ll find better food in other places in the city. If you must go, duck into a little dim sum deli and grab something to go – don’t be lured into a restaurant by anyone in a red silk jacket (or any other color of jacket!) especially if they’re flapping a coupon in your face! My bf and I had a horrible experience in one of these places – the economy is very poor, and these people are desperate and will take advantage of anyone they think they can. Avoid, avoid, avoid – unless you know someone who speaks Chinese or who can recommend a place that won’t try to grift you!

I went here for a brief visit after 9/11 – I didn’t get to do 1/10th of the things I wanted to do – but I can say this is an incredibly beautiful city filled with good, friendly people. It’s a little overwhelming and chaotic, too, but what big city isn’t? Be prepared to walk a lot or bring money for taxis, unless you’re a pro at navigating the subway! Great bars, great, affordable restaurants and lodging (if you don’t need to stay right in the city, you can find some very nice places to stay on the cheap) and I can’t say enough about how great the people are. :)

It’s a fun place to visit – there’s a lot to do and see. Not such a great place to live, for me anyway – It’s a great place to experience pop and avant-garde culture and quirky people. Not so great if you want a career in fine art performance and want to experience support and appreciation for that sort of thing. Depends on your priorities, I guess – I can imagine that this would be a wonderful place for a lot of people!