San Francisco is a city full of history, mystery, culture, technology, and so much more. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be born and raised in San Francisco, and for those of us who had the opportunity to move to the Bay Area, there are things we quickly learned. Here are some of the many things you realize when you move to San Francisco.
- Never call the city San Fran.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr This is a well known way to irk a local. Of course, only visitors like to say San Fran. So, uttering San Fran really marks you, so locals don’t say it.
- Rain equals chaos.
Brave Heart/Flickr Even though we do not have a real winter or harsh weather like snow or ice, people can’t drive in the rain in the Bay Area, especially San Francisco.
- San Francisco is still the best city for people who never want to grow up.
Brian_McHugh_Productions/Flickr In a town full of old hippies, year-round costume festivals, public nudity, long lines for ice cream, and general relaxed style, the inner child is the norm.
- Never compare San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Matzehielscher/Flickr SF and LA are two very different cities. If a newcomer mistakes something about LA with SF, San Franciscans will be frustrated about it. For example, suntanned bodybuilders are not typical San Francisco things!
- The truth about the supposed Mark Twain quote.
John McNab/Flickr Twain’s most well-known is most likely something he never said: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Many locals and San Franciscans have heard this from cold and shocked tourists in the summer, but the famous quote was not made by Twain. There is no evidence in the papers and speeches of Mark Twain that he ever made this remark about San Francisco.
- Innovation is the norm.
Mark Norman Francis/Flickr Always Think Outside the box. San Franciscans are not ones to go with the flow or not cause waves. Innovation goes hand in hand with technology, culture, and more.
- How to pronounce this street name.
Torbakhopper/Flickr Gough Street is not pronounced ‘go’ street it should like “Goff.” Learn and know the rules.
- Don’t expect air conditioning on those rare hot days.
ToddMorris/Flickr In a city of relatively cool temperatures, Air conditioning is not common. Heat waves are all the more extreme because no one has air conditioning. This is a difficult thing to learn and adapt to for newcomers.
- San Francisco’s original name.
Creative Commons/Wikipedia Quick history lesson. During the Spanish and Mexican rule, SF was known as Yerba Buena. Thereafter, it became “San Francisco” in 1847 during the Mexican-American War.
- The official color of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Ann S/Yelp The color of the Golden Gate Bridge is International Orange. However, depending on the time of the day, the bridge’s International Orange turns a deep red.
- Life revolves around food and wine here.
Vera Devera/Flickr You will change the way you think about eating and food when you move to the city. Coffee, dessert, pizza, and grocery shopping is serious business here.
Do you agree with these things? Let us know. Share this story too. If you’re curious history in the city then check out These 11 Rare Photos Show San Francisco’s Gold Mining History Like Never Before.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
This is a well known way to irk a local. Of course, only visitors like to say San Fran. So, uttering San Fran really marks you, so locals don’t say it.
Brave Heart/Flickr
Even though we do not have a real winter or harsh weather like snow or ice, people can’t drive in the rain in the Bay Area, especially San Francisco.
Brian_McHugh_Productions/Flickr
In a town full of old hippies, year-round costume festivals, public nudity, long lines for ice cream, and general relaxed style, the inner child is the norm.
Matzehielscher/Flickr
SF and LA are two very different cities. If a newcomer mistakes something about LA with SF, San Franciscans will be frustrated about it. For example, suntanned bodybuilders are not typical San Francisco things!
John McNab/Flickr
Twain’s most well-known is most likely something he never said: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Many locals and San Franciscans have heard this from cold and shocked tourists in the summer, but the famous quote was not made by Twain. There is no evidence in the papers and speeches of Mark Twain that he ever made this remark about San Francisco.
Mark Norman Francis/Flickr
Always Think Outside the box. San Franciscans are not ones to go with the flow or not cause waves. Innovation goes hand in hand with technology, culture, and more.
Torbakhopper/Flickr
Gough Street is not pronounced ‘go’ street it should like “Goff.” Learn and know the rules.
ToddMorris/Flickr
In a city of relatively cool temperatures, Air conditioning is not common. Heat waves are all the more extreme because no one has air conditioning. This is a difficult thing to learn and adapt to for newcomers.
Creative Commons/Wikipedia
Quick history lesson. During the Spanish and Mexican rule, SF was known as Yerba Buena. Thereafter, it became “San Francisco” in 1847 during the Mexican-American War.
Ann S/Yelp
The color of the Golden Gate Bridge is International Orange. However, depending on the time of the day, the bridge’s International Orange turns a deep red.
Vera Devera/Flickr
You will change the way you think about eating and food when you move to the city. Coffee, dessert, pizza, and grocery shopping is serious business here.
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