What's so European about San Francisco? (Napa, Sonoma: home, earthquakes, where to live)

[ImRandy]

Originally Posted by Ile Flottante

Also any recommendation on cheese shops?

Can't go wrong with Cheese Plus on Polk. After you pick up your cheese, head across the street to the Jug Shop for a little something to go with it.

[Hobart]

RAH: I don't think anyone really believes that San Francisco looks European, someone said it was the most European city in the USA, as mentioned above, that is a reference to Environmentally conscious, bike friendly, gourmet food, locally produced cheeses, wines and other fresh food artisans, , Liberal political thinking similar to Europe and so on. Of course San Francisco does not look European, it only looks uniquely San Franciscan.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by wealthtrader

I hear many people refer the San Francisco as a very European city. I am wondering what this means.

Thanks in advance

the europeans i have known that live there?

[Milliano]

Originally Posted by Bunky39

the europeans i have known that live there?

Yeah 5% of the population was born in Europe. That's the same as Chicago! Almost as high as NYC (7%) and over twice as high as LA and DC.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Hobart

RAH: I don't think anyone really believes that San Francisco looks European, someone said it was the most European city in the USA, as mentioned above, that is a reference to Environmentally conscious, bike friendly, gourmet food, locally produced cheeses, wines and other fresh food artisans, , Liberal political thinking similar to Europe and so on. Of course San Francisco does not look European, it only looks uniquely San Franciscan.

The hills, also, bear comparison with some Southern Euro cities, particularly Lisbon, Genoa, and Naples.

[MaggieZ]

It has the European feel with it's streets and shops and atmosphere (like Montmartre in Paris) and a huge dash of "American" flavor added in for good measure. It's a perfect combination, best of both worlds. No other city comes close.

[kikiclark]

Originally Posted by Ile Flottante

I was also told SF has the best macaron in US although I don't know where is.

Also any recommendation on cheese shops?

Well, if you really want the best cheese shop ... you have to go to berkeley sorry to say ...The Cheese Board. Worth the drive.

I think food is an important factor making SF seem more european. Simple, regionally grown, heathy food. Although I'm sure it's dissapearing in Europe, but hopefully not. Michael Pollen, Nina Planck, Alice Waters, all of these authors really validate what quite a few San Franciscans take for granted regarding food. Let's hope the rest of the US starts to try it. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a lot of what we take for granted outside of CA at the moment.

[DowNout]

As a Northbay resident I just wanted to put in my 2 coppers that most of the "locally grown" organic produce, wine, cheese, etc. comes from the Northbay. No offense intended towards SF, but the source of much of the gourmet of SF really comes from the migrant sweat of Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties. SF is just the best local showcase for our goods!

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by DowNout

As a Northbay resident I just wanted to put in my 2 coppers that most of the "locally grown" organic produce, wine, cheese, etc. comes from the Northbay. No offense intended towards SF, but the source of much of the gourmet of SF really comes from the migrant sweat of Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties. SF is just the best local showcase for our goods!

Excellent point about products coming from those counties however, I wouldn't attribute it all to migrants.

[KARL_MARX]

"What fetched me instantly (and thousands of other newcomers with me) was the subtle but unmistakable sense of escape from the United States."

H.L. Mencken