Best Downtown: Washington DC Vs San Francisco (living, better, places) - City vs. City - City-Data Forum

tonygeorgia · 08-23-2010, 11:10 AM

Which has more foot traffic? Attractions? More energy? etv

kidphilly · 08-23-2010, 11:18 AM

Both pretty close and I guess it depends on preffered attractions but overall I would give the edge to SF, especially on energy. Though both are among the 5 or 6 most vibrant in the country

In another thread on biggest feeling downtowns I had both IMHO ranked pretty high

1 NYC
2 Chicago
3 Philly
4 SF
5 Boston
6 DC

BajanYankee · 08-23-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidphilly

1 NYC
2 Chicago
3 Philly
4 SF
5 Boston
6 DC

DC's downtown is super lame (as most downtowns probably are), so I will award my vote to San Francisco. I'm not sure that SF's downtown would rate above Boston's though. The Financial District is very busy and has a NYC-type feel to it.

Avtomat Kalashnikova · 08-23-2010, 11:54 AM

Gallery Place and K street are the only vibrant parts of Downtown DC, every where else gets dead after dark. Their maybe some exceptions on Friday and Saturday nights though.

AJNEOA · 08-23-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

DC's downtown is super lame (as most downtowns probably are), so I will award my vote to San Francisco. I'm not sure that SF's downtown would rate above Boston's though. The Financial District is very busy and has a NYC-type feel to it.

I don't necessarily disagree. I think DC's got a big feeling, and it has some cool hidden areas, but it feels very office-oriented, and does a poor job of integrating cool places around every (even other) corner. I expect downtowns to have an office feeling, but I'd prefer San Fran, Philly, NYC, Chicago and Boston first any day.

Avtomat Kalashnikova · 08-23-2010, 11:57 AM

I think Dupont Circle and Georgetown should be considered as part of Downtown DC, give it an even playing field.

prelude91 · 08-23-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avtomat Kalashnikova

Gallery Place and K street are the only vibrant parts of Downtown DC, every where else gets dead after dark. Their maybe some exceptions on Friday and Saturday nights though.

What are the defined areas of downtown DC? I would not have put Gallery Place/Chinatown as part of downtown, I definitley wouldnt add Dupont or G'town like another poster suggested.

BajanYankee · 08-23-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avtomat Kalashnikova

I think Dupont Circle and Georgetown should be considered as part of Downtown DC, give it an even playing field.

But they're not downtown. That's like throwing in Wicker Park or Northern Liberties into a discussion about downtowns.

kidphilly · 08-23-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

But they're not downtown. That's like throwing in Wicker Park or Northern Liberties into a discussion about downtowns.

I definately agree on Georgetown, one of the things that always bugged me when living in DC, GTown felt so far removed

Manyunk (about the same distance) is a better example than No Libs but get your point

BajanYankee · 08-23-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prelude91

What are the defined areas of downtown DC? I would not have put Gallery Place/Chinatown as part of downtown, I definitley wouldnt add Dupont or G'town like another poster suggested.

I don't know if there are official boundaries, but I'd say...

Eastern boundary = North Capitol Street

Washington D.C., DC - Google Maps

Southern boundary = SE/SW Freeway around L'Enfant Plaza

Washington D.C., DC - Google Maps

Northern boundary = N Street

Washington D.C., DC - Google Maps

Western boundary = 25th Street

Washington D.C., DC - Google Maps