i surrender SF is the most beautiful us city

[Nomayoplease]

It's been over a decade simce i visited San Francisco. I've been living in SLC and love here ( i am sucker for mountains). Last month i went to SF to see some nerds ( my old colleagues). And it despite not hwing a fan of california cities (hence why i left) San Francisco is just something elese. What a blend os archutecture, setting and just beauty. I spent an entire week i loved it. Yeah the homeless blah blah blah, i walked everywhere and even on the shady parts , it felt somehow charming.

[twinpeaks]

Originally Posted by Nomayoplease

It's been over a decade simce i visited San Francisco. I've been living in SLC and love here ( i am sucker for mountains). Last month i went to SF to see some nerds ( my old colleagues). And it despite not hwing a fan of california cities (hence why i left) San Francisco is just something elese. What a blend os archutecture, setting and just beauty. I spent an entire week i loved it. Yeah the homeless blah blah blah, i walked everywhere and even on the shady parts , it felt somehow charming.

Thanks for the positive feedback, the city really needs it given it's been a punching bag by the media. If you have pictures or experience to share would be great.

[montréaliste]

Whatever its failings, SF is a pearl.

[Nouvellecosse]

I think most of us on this forum at least realize that narratives around the city range from exaggerations to brazen lies. Just as much as other narratives in fact.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by Nomayoplease

It's been over a decade simce i visited San Francisco. I've been living in SLC and love here ( i am sucker for mountains). Last month i went to SF to see some nerds ( my old colleagues). And it despite not hwing a fan of california cities (hence why i left) San Francisco is just something elese. What a blend os archutecture, setting and just beauty. I spent an entire week i loved it. Yeah the homeless blah blah blah, i walked everywhere and even on the shady parts , it felt somehow charming.

If you live in SLC why do you give Los Angeles as your location?

[urban_encounter]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I think most of us on this forum at least realize that narratives around the city range from exaggerations to brazen lies. Just as much as other narratives in fact.

San Francisco has real problems that have nothing to do with media. The political shakeup at city hall, remote work, ongoing homeless crisis, open air drug bazaars. Businesses still leave California, although it’s seems no faster than before. We have real, challenging problems mostly of our own making in California. San Francisco isn’t alone when it comes to these issues. They effect large, small and medium sized cities.

It’s going to take people across the entire political spectrum to solve these.

It’s nice though that you were able to see the beauty of San Francisco. There aren’t too many cities that can seduce you and lure you in. Before you know it you’re drinking a dirty martini, as a sreetcar passes by. (I digress)

[craigs]

Aesthetically, San Francisco is by far the most beautiful city I have lived in--the setting, the architecture, the traditional built environment, Golden Gate Park, the ocean beaches, the Bay, the bridges, the views from the hills, the quality of the sunlight. Gorgeous.

[JManc]

I absolutely loved living in the Bay Area and would have lived in SF proper had the commute to work been shorter (and cheaper) but loved the city warts and all...which was mainly centered around the Market / Civic Center/ Union Square areas.

[jd3189]

SF is for sure one of the most picturesque/ scenic cities not only in the US, but the world in general. It’s not as big as NY, LA, or Chicago, but it gives an urban feel that is very ornamental, similar to a European city. I guess that’s why it was called the “Paris of the West” at one point.

The Victorians, the hills, and the cable cars. Along with the countercultural influences from the 60s.

There is still drug and homeless issues, but that’s expected for any major American city. But few other US cities can match the epic urban scenery of San Francisco and the Bay in general.

[bobbyv]

When coming from a mega city San Francisco although pretty just feels too small, that's my only knock against it.

[UrbanImpact]

Originally Posted by bobbyv

When coming from a mega city San Francisco although pretty just feels too small, that's my only knock against it.

The charm would be lost if it was just a bunch of blue modern skyscrapers.

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by bobbyv

When coming from a mega city San Francisco although pretty just feels too small, that's my only knock against it.

My knock against it is that once you get off the main thoroughfares in most of it's residential neighborhoods, it's just block after block of garage front homes. That's not pretty.

[iheartthed]

San Francisco is beautiful. Probably the most beautiful major US city.

[Steely Dan]

Political — cleared out.

Carry on......

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

My knock against it is that once you get off the main thoroughfares in most of it's residential neighborhoods, it's just block after block of garage front homes. That's not pretty.

IMHO even with the garages it still pulls it off.

[montréaliste]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

My knock against it is that once you get off the main thoroughfares in most of it's residential neighborhoods, it's just block after block of garage front homes. That's not pretty.

There is that. Wherever these types of houses exist in rows, whether in Montreal or other cities, not only are garages and driveways an uglifying feature, they also make it impossible to have a tree canopy.

On the plus side, SF has evocative place names. Embarcadero, Potrero Heights, Russian and Nob Hills, the Tenderloin, etc… are very poetic, in a Lawrence Ferlinghetti kind of way.

[DZH22]

I know I'm a homer, but I think Boston does "beautiful" better. I prefer the redder color palate of the inner brick neighborhoods and it's a greener landscape in general with all the trees and parks. It also is quite hilly (about half that of SF) and sits on the confluence of 2 rivers emptying into the harbor.

It's really close and SF might look a bit more majestic from a pulled out view, but I lean Boston, the "Athens of America" because of its inner brick neighborhoods including Beacon Hill, North End, Back Bay, and South End. Some other neighborhoods, such as "Southie" actually bear major resemblances to SF neighborhoods.

I'll put SF at #2. Philadelphia could have challenged if it had a better landscape surrounding it. I guess you could also look at smaller cities like Savannah, but I'd prefer to stick with "big" cities.

Beacon Hill is probably the single most beautiful neighborhood in the country.

Beacon Hill by Daniel Tinkler, on Flickr

North End is right up there.

IMG_1214-HDR by Phil, on Flickr

Looking down on part of the Back Bay neighborhood from the Prudential.

Boston view from Prudential Tower by Larisa, on Flickr

The unheralded but still very impressive South End neighborhood fronting the Financial District.

DJI_0672-HDR by Phil, on Flickr

Pulled out view from the Prudential observation deck, which offers 3 levels (including an outdoor level) and 360 degree views. Every time I go up there I am certain that this is the most beautiful city in America.

Moonrise over Boston by Terry Donovan, on Flickr

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by DZH22

I know I'm a homer, but I think Boston does "beautiful" better. I prefer the redder color palate of the inner brick neighborhoods and it's a greener landscape in general with all the trees and parks. It also is quite hilly (about half that of SF) and sits on the confluence of 2 rivers emptying into the harbor.

It's really close and SF might look a bit more majestic from a pulled out view, but I lean Boston, the "Athens of America" because of its inner brick neighborhoods including Beacon Hill, North End, Back Bay, and South End. Some other neighborhoods, such as "Southie" actually bear major resemblances to SF neighborhoods.

I'll put SF at #2. Philadelphia could have challenged if it had a better landscape surrounding it. I guess you could also look at smaller cities like Savannah, but I'd prefer to stick with "big" cities.

Beacon Hill is probably the single most beautiful neighborhood in the country.

I've never heard Boston be referred to as the "Athens of America", is that really a thing? Boston looks absolutely nothing like Athens, and Athens is a pretty ugly city. That should be an insult to Boston lol.

However, SF's topography is the point. Boston has absolutely nothing that can hold a candle to Lombard Street:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HQToN2UwzWkBJe5Z8

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

My knock against it is that once you get off the main thoroughfares in most of it's residential neighborhoods, it's just block after block of garage front homes. That's not pretty.

I think SF is the most beautiful U.S. city in terms of views and aerials.

But SF generally isn't beautiful at street level. Very interesting, but not conventionally pretty. It's a lot of garage doors/blank walls, few trees, overly wide streets, and utility poles/lines.

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by iheartthed

I've never heard Boston be referred to as the "Athens of America", is that really a thing? Boston looks absolutely nothing like Athens, and Athens is a pretty ugly city. That should be an insult to Boston lol.

I'm pretty sure that's a reference to learning/knowledge, not aesthetics.