Is there a socialite scene in San Francisco? (Los Angeles, Brentwood: to live, restaurant)

[friendlyflyer]

SF Society is very strong to this day and very connected. I work in a Sales job that I'm often required to attend Charity functions with the Symphony, Opera, Ballet, and the list goes on. I was more into the scene about 10yrs ago, not so much now. I even dated a Socialite, if you what to call it that.

Yes it is very reminiscent of East Coast Society. but very SF in its own way.
I remember being at Tiffany's on Union Square for a major Charity event, for which I was a Board Member. I stopped and looked around the room of about 100 people and there was every type of person imaginble, the Old Guard Families, and Titans of SF Business Community, Politicians, The Powerful Gay Community, and so on. The dress of people in attendance was from very up scale to Jeans.

Society here basically centers around the Old Guard, whose families names go back Generations, and it is a very tight network, however they always embrace the new as SF has always done. However you get to know your place and group of friends and connections and kind of follow that path.

Yes, Silicon Valley and Tech do play an integral part of the so called "scene", however some techy types rather just not be a part of that. Think of college, do you want to join the Fraternity or Sorority or be a GDI.

Here's a sampling of the Social Scene. Remember SF is known as an Event town. Even though it is SF and a major Tech center with a very casual dress by day, when going to a Big Event, Opening of the Opera, Symphony, Ballet, or host of other events, you better put your best style on as everyone is watching. Mind you some get very creative and electic,but heah, only in San Francisco.

The enclaves of so called Wealth/Society tend to live in the following:
Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights,Russian Hill, Sea Cliff, Marina, BlackHawk, Atherton, Hillsborough, Belvedere, Tiburon, Mill Valley to name a few.

Of course they also have places in Napa/Sonoma too. The Getaways are Tahoe for Skiing in the Winter and possibly the Summer. SF Society prefers Kona Coast over other Hawaiian Islands. Of course due the influence of the Wine Country, many have friends or places in France/Italy/Chile. Paris,Rome, Venice, are frequent destinations for leisure. Of course New York City is always on the list as well. Oh yes, they must venture down to LA too, due to the proximity and many connections to the Entertainment community, but shhhhh, not to loud about that as SF and LA are different mind sets..whatever.

Of course don't forget the Sailing Season here, really big!!!

The most interesting aspect I came to discover about the so called SF Society scene, is that even though there is the strong support of the ART's, those with the $$$ in the Bay Area/SF are very passionate about their causes, whether that is saving the Whales, the Evironment, or your hide, and will go all out to help all sorts of issues that matter most to them. So you have some really interesting organizations that get the attention with those with $$$. It does make it a very electic, high net worth, artsy, foodie, winey people .

There is a famous line from a book by Stephen Birmingham called "Our Crowd" written in the 1960's about how Society began in American. It was the 1960's and a SF Socialite of the Old Guard was at a Social function in Boston. She was on her second Cocktail, when the Boston socialite said, " My Dear, another cocktail for you." The SF Socialite didn't miss a beat and responded,
"We don't fly on one wing in SF"!

[sf2nyc]

Without a doubt.

[absurd_planet]

how cute.

[absurd_planet]

Indeed.
If your looking to immerse yourself in the luxuries provided by life in the upper class S.F is your place.
Although, you should be warned that outside the city there isn't too much culture to speak of and people look at you weird if you wear a European scarf.

[absurd_planet]

Aside from my preconceived notions of why you'd be enquiring about such subjects, i believe you got the information you were seeking.
cheers.
It is very similar to Hollywood.
More closely knit.
As well as intensely judgemental.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by friendlyflyer

The most interesting aspect I came to discover about the so called SF Society scene, is that even though there is the strong support of the ART's, those with the $$$ in the Bay Area/SF are very passionate about their causes.

So true.

Dede Wilsey was just insufferable about funding the new DeYoung. But you didn't hear it from me.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by absurd_planet

Although, you should be warned that outside the city there isn't too much culture to speak of and people look at you weird if you wear a European scarf.

This is incredibly inaccurate. Outside of the city, you have the old guard towns on the peninsula that are brimming with wealthy, sophisticated people. You have the intellectual crowds of Palo Alto and Berkeley, you have the wine country set in Napa. Many people are also part of the equestrian crowd.

And then there's the new money(people from the old money crowd like to hurl that title at people like me as if its the f-bomb(LOL)), the bay area has new money the way other places have telephone poles. But that's another thread altogether.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by absurd_planet

Aside from my preconceived notions of why you'd be enquiring about such subjects, i believe you got the information you were seeking.

Good luck finding a real society person that's going to be part of a TV show exposing their world for all to see.

It is very similar to Hollywood.

Hollywood has prettier faces, Society has prettier clothes.

More closely knit.
As well as intensely judgemental.

Image is everything. I agree.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

This is incredibly inaccurate. Outside of the city, you have the old guard towns on the peninsula that are brimming with wealthy, sophisticated people. You have the intellectual crowds of Palo Alto and Berkeley, you have the wine country set in Napa. Many people are also part of the equestrian crowd.

And then there's the new money(people from the old money crowd like to hurl that title at people like me as if its the f-bomb(LOL)), the bay area has new money the way other places have telephone poles. But that's another thread altogether.

Good points.

[nirea82]

HAHAHAHAHA thanks god I live here and not in LA or NYC. I'm sure there are groups like this of elderly in their 40's + I assume? that's funny though, if they do exist they are definately feeling more higher up or important than they are cause they don't exist to us regular folk, ahhh this is funny. My sides hurt