Modern life in San Francisco can feel like a whirlwind. The city is a hub of different people, ideas, cultures, languages, and things to do; each part of SF has its own unique, rich history. Nonetheless, there are some themes to it all. Below are some of the quintessential features of San Francisco living.
The technology industry
If there’s one thing present-day SF is particularly known for, it’s tech. The city boasts a number of well-known tech companies that are based here, such as Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, and Dropbox. One just needs to glimpse the new Salesforce Tower on the skyline – the tallest building in the city – to get a sense of tech’s dominance in the area.
It’s not just tech giants that are making a home in the area. San Francisco and the surrounding area are also well known for small startups, created by entrepreneurs seeking to fill some kind of niche marketplace.
What this means is that San Franciscans today are innovative, driven, creative, and solution-oriented. They try to be ahead of the curve, and use the power of human inventions to solve problems or just make life easier. Also, the prosperous tech industry brings money to the area, and makes San Francisco a more expensive place to live than many other parts of the country.
Immigration history
The city of San Francisco was founded in the late 18th century by Spanish missionaries, and since then has been a new home for a number of different immigrant groups. During that time, California and Mexico were both Spanish territory. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American war, and as a result, California (and San Francisco) became a part of the United States. SF began developing into a true metropolis following the Gold Rush in 1848, which brought in immigrants and increased the population twenty-five-fold.
Chinese immigrants were and still are a tremendous influence on San Francisco’s development, history, and culture. When the population boomed in the mid-1800s, people from China arrived in the area to work in gold mines and railroads. When the work on the Transcontinental Railroad was complete, these Chinese migrants flocked to San Francisco’s Chinatown, to date the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and oldest of its kind in America.
In addition to Chinese immigrants, many other groups have come to San Francisco to shape the city into the multicultural melting pot it is today. Italians came in large numbers during the Gold Rush as well, and now have their biggest influence in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, sometimes called “Little Italy.” Mexicans continue to have a profound impact on San Francisco culture as well, especially since SF and Mexico both were originally Spanish territory. The Mission District is the modern hub of Mexican and Latino culture in SF. Another influential group in San Francisco has been the Japanese, dating as far back as 1860, and SF also has a Japantown. Evidence of connection to Japanese culture can be seen across the city.
LGBT
San Francisco is known as being a particularly gay-friendly city. The first openly gay elected official in California, Harvey Milk, was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Though he was assassinated in 1978, Milk’s legacy as a champion of civil rights lives on in the city.
The Castro District is SF’s historic LGBT neighborhood, where bars, clubs, shops, and public spaces are all geared towards openness and inclusivity. Even beyond this district, the city and surrounding Bay Area pride themselves on diversity, and celebrate acceptance of different genders and sexual orientations.
San Francisco’s first Pride March took place in 1970, and has become a beloved annual tradition in the city. In 2018, nearly two million people are predicted to participate in SF Pride, which will take place on June 23 and 24.
Food and Drink
San Franciscans love their food, and the city is an excellent place for foodies. SF has its own array of local food and drink, like Dungeness crab, oysters, sourdough bread, and Irish coffee. But its worldly disposition and history of immigration means that there is no shortage of excellent ethnic food to be had, either. The Mission District is known for Mexican food, and burritos here are not to be missed. Across the city and particularly in North Beach, there are limitless options for Italian fare. Residents and visitors looking for excellent Chinese or Japanese cuisine also have no shortage of places to go.
SF is also a great spot for fine dining, with a number of Michelin-starred and otherwise prestigious restaurants. And, of course, if you’re looking for an after-dinner nightcap, San Francisco’s bar scene is not to be missed. SF has an active nightlife scene, too, for those looking to keep the party going.
For more guidance on gastronomy in San Francisco, click here.
No matter who you are or where you come from, there is a place for you in San Francisco. Stay up to date with local events here, read up on the history of San Francisco here, and see more lifestyle tips for the city here.