Being a tourist in our own city: exploring San Francisco
By Lauren Chavez, staff writer
If you’re like me, you may take living near a major city for granted. There has been much debate about whether Sonoma County is considered part of the San Francisco Bay Area, but regardless, the city is still only an hour away. While many of us do not think about the advantages and privileges of living so close to such a famous city, its beautiful hilly roads and unique ambiance are, in the grand scheme of things, only a stone’s throw from our home.
While San Francisco is widely known for its notoriously unpredictable weather, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island and Fisherman’s Wharf, its neighborhoods offer a distinct blend of culture, food, shopping, and entertainment.
The Mission District, situated south of the Marina, is renowned for its diverse array of food, particularly its extensive selection of authentic Mexican cuisine. This is thanks to the numerous Latino families who have called this area home for decades. There are countless bodegas, fruit stands, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants just waiting to be discovered. The Mission-style burrito, which is larger than most burritos and typically includes ingredients such as rice, is one of the hallmarks of good food in San Francisco, and this area is where it originated. Many beautiful murals in this area depict Mexican themes and imagery, strongly connecting the neighborhoods with their vibrant culture.
Mission Dolores Park, situated in the heart of the Mission District, offers stunning views of the city skyline as it climbs up a steep hill. Aside from the views, it serves as a community hub for both visitors and locals alike, featuring tennis courts, playgrounds, and a range of fun events year-round.
Similar to the Mission District, Chinatown is full of culture. Acting as a hub for Chinese families as Chinese immigration to the area grew following the 1848 Gold Rush, the area has a population of approximately 14,500 people, with about 75% of the population being foreign-born. Due to the rich Chinese culture in this area, the neighborhood has become an excellent source of Chinese food, supplies, and other family-owned stores. Many streets are also adorned with Chinese decorations, especially during the Chinese New Year. Chinatown offers the largest parade and celebration of Chinese New Year outside of Asia.
If shopping is your interest, the Marina, Haight-Ashbury, and North Beach are great hotspots. The Marina is located close to the water. She is within walking distance of excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge, offering a variety of popular shopping destinations, as well as one of the only Brandy Melville stores in the Bay Area. The Haight-Ashbury has a more funky, hipster vibe, with numerous record stores, including the world-famous Amoeba Music, and small music venues like Milk Bar. It also features stunning architecture, including colorful Victorian homes, a defining feature of San Francisco. Additionally, there are homes available to tour that were once inhabited by late musicians, such as those associated with the Grateful Dead.
North Beach is an Italian neighborhood near the Marina and is a reasonably quiet, quaint area of the city. Italian culture dominates the neighborhood, as it is home to a large number of Italian immigrants. Due to this, it boasts great Italian restaurants, such as Tony’s Pizza, which is frequently rated as one of the best pizza restaurants in the world. It is also home to famous landmarks such as City Lights Bookstore and Coit Tower, which is accessible on foot and offers stunning views of the city.
The Castro has a long history of LGBTQ+ culture and is considered one of the most diverse and accepting places in the United States. Although the Castro was originally home to Finnish immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community soon began to settle in, seeking refuge from hate and discrimination, as San Francisco is commonly known as one of the most inclusive cities in the United States. Harvey Milk, a prominent figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, heavily influenced Castro's emphasis on inclusivity and rights. Those landing or departing to or from international flights at the San Francisco International Airport may find themselves in Harvey Milk Terminal, which is known as one of the nicest terminals in the airport. Besides this, it’s famous for the Castro Theatre, beautiful murals, and painted rainbows on the ground.
While San Francisco is a bustling city, one of its best aspects is the availability of nature amidst the chaos. Taking a right once you cross the Golden Gate brings you to the Presidio, which takes you up into the hilly, tree-filled greenery before the steel and glass of the city. The Presidio offers Crissy Field, a stunning promenade with beautiful views of the Golden Gate, and Baker Beach, which is known for its iconic view of the Golden Gate as well as the rugged coastlines of the Marin Headlands across the Bay.
Golden Gate Park isn’t far away, nestled among the Richmond and Sunset Neighborhoods, and boasts countless activities. It is the home of Outside Lands, a music festival that takes place in August annually and attracts the most popular artists of the year. This year, it will host Tyler, the Creator, Hozier, Doechii, and John Summit, among many other notable names. It also features the Japanese Tea Gardens, the Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, boating, and numerous walking and biking trails surrounding Blue Heron Lake.
Another example of the ability to escape the hustle and bustle of the city is the Outer Sunset neighborhood, located on the far outskirts of the town near Golden Gate Park. This is a more suburban segment of the city, home to numerous copy-and-paste houses. As it is very close to the beach, Mollusk Surf Shop is a hotspot for beach attire and apparel. It is situated right next to Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe, which features both a take-out window and a shop, as well as a cozy outdoor space surrounded by greenery.
San Francisco isn’t called one of the best and most diverse cities in the world for nothing; with its incredible array of activities, sights, and eats, it is the pinnacle of the Bay Area, and we couldn’t be luckier to be within such proximity to it and everything it offers.