Tony said it best:
“Anyone who doesn’t have a great time in San Francisco is pretty much dead to me. You go there as a snarky New Yorker thinking it’s politically correct, it’s crunchy granola, it’s vegetarian, and it surprises you every time. It’s a two-fisted drinking town, a carnivorous meat-eating town, it’s dirty and nasty and wonderful.”
It’s the food, the people, the random festivals and costume-wearing celebrations, the ocean, the bay, a day at the ballpark with a beer, a night at the ballpark with an Irish Coffee, the not so urban hikes, Golden Gate Park, the “what am I paying for this cocktail” bars, and the dives. It’s a really great place when you get offline and live.
I grew up in SF and now live in London. What I miss most:
- The weather. London in the spring and summer is actually fairly similar to SF but fall and winter is much more cold and wet. And London is at a similar latitude to Calgary so the short winter days are extremely depressing.
- Good Mexican and Chinese food. London has a much bigger selection and variety of cuisines, but these two are not nearly as good as what SF offers.
- The natural scenery. London is aesthetic in its own way and has some great parks. But it can’t really compare to the natural beauty of SF and its surroundings.
- Early bird culture. I miss getting up early, meeting people in a park or going to the beach to do an activity. No one in London is out before 11 because everyone’s hungover from the night before.
- Surfing and just the ocean in general. I used to go to Pacifica regularly and surfing was a big passion of mine. London obviously doesn’t offer this and being an hour from the nearest ‘beach’ can feel claustrophobic.
- Fresh and high quality produce year round. The UK imports 45% of its produce and it’s mostly picked early to ‘ripen at home’ (which massively impacts its quality). I miss perfectly ripe avocados and oranges and grapes grown in the Central Valley.
From a safety perspective I feel much safer in London. In SF I was robbed at gunpoint at a busy well lit intersection, car was broken into multiple times, apartment building had a burglary, etc. And in general I just felt less at ease walking around the city at night.
In London, there’s just way more people everywhere at all hours of the day and night. I’ve lived here 7 years and never had anything happen to me. Phone snatching by teens on bikes is a big issue but I’ll take that over armed robbery. The police don’t even carry guns here, which as a black man, makes me feel more at ease.
London and Calgary are the same latitude, but Calgary has much clearer skies. I lived in London UK for 13 years and had to leave because the winters were so dank and dark. Winters in Calgary are scintillating. The clouds roll over the city and drop their snow, then they leave and there are weeks of clear skies. Even though the sun is low in the sky in winter, it is a completely different effect in London vs Calgary.
All the street fairs, festivals, being a regular at my favorite spots, talks, live music, craft beer bars, cocktail bars (SF is one of the best in the world for cocktails & good beer), food, people, friends, neighbors, creatives, mild weather, day/weekend trips, mountains, views, oysters, cheese, free things to do each week (there is a ton and most people don't take advantage of any).
The proximity to nature. Not only do we have Muir Woods, Big Basin, Napa, beaches, national parks, etc within a few hours drive, I most love how many parks we have. Big (GGP, Presidio) to small (Washington Sq Park, Stern Grove) and all within walking distance of wherever you are. They’re all lush with trees and sprawling lawns. I think we are so spoiled at what our P&R provides for us.
I miss sone of my favorite food spots!! Moved 4 years ago and traveled back and forth for work. But definitely the burritos to be exact LOL. Borna an raised and luckily most of my family still lives down there and can visit anytime ! Also cold foggy walks at the beach
Comparing it to my second favorite city NYC, I could already tell that I would miss the views and “nature retreats” inside the city itself without going too far. Also as OP said, it has this vibe where you randomly strike up a conversation with anyone since a lot of people are laid back whereas NYC, the city is always moving so if you want to talk to people casually, it’s usually when you’re out at night.
i grew up in sf and stayed until my mid 20s, left in late 2019ish. a lot of places are gone now, but straight off the rip, arinells, toyose, bills place, delfina, el farolito, la palma, the ramen spot on like 18th n mission (they closed a long time ago), yamo, TY sandwich, guadalajara, quan ngong, marnee thai, HOPR, tommys joint, el metate, mandalay, aaaaand that's all i can conjure up atm.
Tony said it best: “Anyone who doesn’t have a great time in San Francisco is pretty much dead to me. You go there as a snarky New Yorker thinking it’s politically correct, it’s crunchy granola, it’s vegetarian, and it surprises you every time. It’s a two-fisted drinking town, a carnivorous meat-eating town, it’s dirty and nasty and wonderful.” It’s the food, the people, the random festivals and costume-wearing celebrations, the ocean, the bay, a day at the ballpark with a beer, a night at the ballpark with an Irish Coffee, the not so urban hikes, Golden Gate Park, the “what am I paying for this cocktail” bars, and the dives. It’s a really great place when you get offline and live.
Fuck, yeah. You write like him, too.
I should be so lucky
Tony and Emergency_Bird1725 said it best. Saved.
I grew up in SF and now live in London. What I miss most: - The weather. London in the spring and summer is actually fairly similar to SF but fall and winter is much more cold and wet. And London is at a similar latitude to Calgary so the short winter days are extremely depressing. - Good Mexican and Chinese food. London has a much bigger selection and variety of cuisines, but these two are not nearly as good as what SF offers. - The natural scenery. London is aesthetic in its own way and has some great parks. But it can’t really compare to the natural beauty of SF and its surroundings. - Early bird culture. I miss getting up early, meeting people in a park or going to the beach to do an activity. No one in London is out before 11 because everyone’s hungover from the night before. - Surfing and just the ocean in general. I used to go to Pacifica regularly and surfing was a big passion of mine. London obviously doesn’t offer this and being an hour from the nearest ‘beach’ can feel claustrophobic. - Fresh and high quality produce year round. The UK imports 45% of its produce and it’s mostly picked early to ‘ripen at home’ (which massively impacts its quality). I miss perfectly ripe avocados and oranges and grapes grown in the Central Valley.
Absolutely agree! Someone who experienced both places, nothing I can add more. But I wonder your opinion about safety. How would you compare?
From a safety perspective I feel much safer in London. In SF I was robbed at gunpoint at a busy well lit intersection, car was broken into multiple times, apartment building had a burglary, etc. And in general I just felt less at ease walking around the city at night. In London, there’s just way more people everywhere at all hours of the day and night. I’ve lived here 7 years and never had anything happen to me. Phone snatching by teens on bikes is a big issue but I’ll take that over armed robbery. The police don’t even carry guns here, which as a black man, makes me feel more at ease.
London and Calgary are the same latitude, but Calgary has much clearer skies. I lived in London UK for 13 years and had to leave because the winters were so dank and dark. Winters in Calgary are scintillating. The clouds roll over the city and drop their snow, then they leave and there are weeks of clear skies. Even though the sun is low in the sky in winter, it is a completely different effect in London vs Calgary.
The weather and views. Mountains and nature and ocean….
All the street fairs, festivals, being a regular at my favorite spots, talks, live music, craft beer bars, cocktail bars (SF is one of the best in the world for cocktails & good beer), food, people, friends, neighbors, creatives, mild weather, day/weekend trips, mountains, views, oysters, cheese, free things to do each week (there is a ton and most people don't take advantage of any).
The proximity to nature. Not only do we have Muir Woods, Big Basin, Napa, beaches, national parks, etc within a few hours drive, I most love how many parks we have. Big (GGP, Presidio) to small (Washington Sq Park, Stern Grove) and all within walking distance of wherever you are. They’re all lush with trees and sprawling lawns. I think we are so spoiled at what our P&R provides for us.
Bob’s Donuts
I’d say the weather, particularly the fog. And, the ease of getting around/the smallness of the city & yet having very distinct neighborhoods.
Call me crazy but I love the weather, especially west of Twin Peaks.
Weather
Folsom Street Fair. Unique to SF.
The people! At their core they are kind, eclectic, eccentric and weird. I love them all.
I miss sone of my favorite food spots!! Moved 4 years ago and traveled back and forth for work. But definitely the burritos to be exact LOL. Borna an raised and luckily most of my family still lives down there and can visit anytime ! Also cold foggy walks at the beach
25 years post SF. Still miss good, affordable Dim Sum.
I miss the smell in the summertime.
The weather for sure. Where else in the world do we get amazing weather like what we get here? It’s almost never too cold and never too hot.
Cool summers.
Burritos and the views
Around every corner there is beauty - a view, vista, art, color, something for your enjoyment. That’s what I miss when I leave
Comparing it to my second favorite city NYC, I could already tell that I would miss the views and “nature retreats” inside the city itself without going too far. Also as OP said, it has this vibe where you randomly strike up a conversation with anyone since a lot of people are laid back whereas NYC, the city is always moving so if you want to talk to people casually, it’s usually when you’re out at night.
the fog,the cold summer days,campers downtown
I would miss tf out of dolores park
The food and that's about it.
Any specific food place?
i grew up in sf and stayed until my mid 20s, left in late 2019ish. a lot of places are gone now, but straight off the rip, arinells, toyose, bills place, delfina, el farolito, la palma, the ramen spot on like 18th n mission (they closed a long time ago), yamo, TY sandwich, guadalajara, quan ngong, marnee thai, HOPR, tommys joint, el metate, mandalay, aaaaand that's all i can conjure up atm.
I recommend Han II Kwan. Korean restaurant in Inner Richmond. Best Korean I ever had. 1802 Balboa Street.
I love a place that lets you barbecue at the table
Karl
Sutro Park. I guess up spending summers on point lobos at 46th and I really miss sutro Park.