Monday, February 16, 2009

I Heart My City: San Francisco

Ok, you all know what I pro San Fran girl I am. I love this city. And truly believe this is one of the best cities in the world. National Geographic is doing a “I Heart My City” campaign. Where they’re asking locals to fill out the survey below. Check it out here.

So dear readers. What are the reasons you heart your city? Take some time to fill out the survey. Or go to the National Geographic blog to check out some of their favorite answers. My answers about San Francisco are below.

A photo of Coit Tower, taken from a parking lot!

It was harder than it looks…I could have answered these questions in a million different ways. But I went with my gut, and here are the first responses. If you’re coming to the city and have questions of your own, let me know! I’m always happy to offer up suggestions (especially food related ones!), and let me know if you’ve answered the questions for your own city on your blog. Share the link, I’d love to read your answers!

San Francisco is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is The Ferry Building!

When I crave cupcakes I always go to Kara’s (or I make my own!)

To escape the tourists I head to the Richmond or Sunset districts.

If I want to good pizza, I go to Pizzeria Delfina (or Little Star or Pauline’s!).

For complete quiet, I can hide away in one of my neighborhood parks.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with a cable car driver!

If you have to order one thing off the menu from A16 it has to be the maccaronara!

Real Foods is my one-stop shop for great groceries.

Locals know to skip Golden Gate Park and check out Mission Dolores instead.

MLK Holiday in Mission Dolores Park!

When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go grab groceries in Chinatown, Vietnamese food on Larkin, Chinese food at U-Lee, Indian at Burma Superstar.

For a huge splurge I go shopping in the boutiques along Fillmore, Chestnut, and Union Streets.

Photo ops in my city include Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, Angel Island, Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz, the beautiful Victorians in Alamo Square (and on and on) and the best vantage points are at the top of any hill!

If my city were a celebrity it'd be Reese Witherspoon. I think we’re kind of the beautiful, simple, yet complex girl next door.

The most random thing about my city is the Haight Ashbury.


The bright colored Victorians in the Haight

My city has the most gay men.

My city has the most intelligent women.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves walking, biking, hiking—or a day trip to the slopes!

My city's best museum is the De Young Museum (and the new California Academy of Sciences!)

My favorite jogging/walking route is along the water in Crissy Field or along the Embarcadero.

For a night of dancing, go to (umm, don’t remember the last time I went dancing!) Or, for live music, check out The Fillmore, The Independent, Café du Nord, Hemlock Tavern!

Berretta, NOPA, Bar Bambino and Globe are the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read the local papers or the 7x7 blog!

You can tell a lot about my city from what you see people wearing…anything goes!

You can tell if someone is from my city if they’re elegantly casual, and with a reusable bag in hand.

In the spring you should bring your umbrella!

In the summer you should bring your umbrella!

In the fall you should spend time outside in the sun!

In the winter you should stay cozy inside with a good bottle of wine!

A hidden gem in my city is the tofu stand at the Farmer’s Market (Hodo Soy)….PPQ for crabs…upper Polk Street boutiques...the many small wine bars and shops!

For a great breakfast joint try a neighborhood spot—Ella’s, Rex Café, Zazia, Judy’s, The Grove

Don't miss the jazz festival on Fillmore Street!

Just outside my city, you can visit the Gourmet Ghetto and Sausalito!

The best way to see my city is by foot and with a local!

If my city were a pet it would be a golden retriever, man’s best friend and easy going!

If I didn't live in this city, I'd live (where?) in New York City (well, technically Brooklyn!), or a suburb outside of San Francisco!

The best book about my city is... too many to narrow it down!

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is Sitting On the Dock of the Bay

If you have kids, you won't want to miss the Bay Area Discovery Museum and the Exploratorium!

Folsom Street Fair could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because it’s one of the most unique, beautiful, diverse, and amazing cities to live and visit!

1 comment:

  1. Thanks so much for leaving the link to your list on our site! We're so thrilled with all of the great responses, and this makes me want to go back to SF again soon.

    best,
    Janelle (IT editor)

    ReplyDelete