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I"d be curious to know when the last time the posters ranking SF at or near the top have been to downtown San Francisco. Especially if "vibrancy and activity" is the criteria boosting it to the top.
I've been there many times and quite familiar. The last time in October 21. Despite the increase homelessness it's still has what it takes. Tons of shopping and dining. Tons of cultural amenities. Fantastic public transportation. . It's dense and walkable. I always stay downtown and never rent a car. Never felt unsafe. I still rank it in the top 3 in the US.
How is Downtown SF right now and the homeless situation? I'm supposed to be traveling there in about a week.
Well, the homeless are concentrated in the Tenderloin/ Civic Center area. There is a little spillover into Union Square but not much, you dont see many in the Financial District or in SOMA around the new highrises or on the waterfront either. You dont see that many in Chinatown or North Beach either.
This is my observation as I sit in my car on First St trying to get on the Bay Bridge.
People Ive hosted over the past year are often surprised at how normal it is compared to what they were expecting based on what they saw on the news. Go figure.
Here is a video recorded last saturday afternoon by some guy who walked from the Embarcadero all the way to Union Square through the financial district, when crowds are sparce, but notice the relative lack of homeless...
Last edited by 18Montclair; 02-17-2022 at 04:51 PM..
Here's a night vid from Union Square uploaded a month ago...I think she's speaking Laotian?
Anyhow, I still don't of anywhere on the west coast that gives off this kind of downtown vibe?
Of course, we could just as easily find vids of homeless in the Tenderloin but the point is contrary to what has been the prevailing media narrative, SF is really a lot more normal than people think.
Also, I just walked back into my office on Mission Street about half-a-block from Salesforce Tower and there are a lot of people out enjoying the sun. It's not as vibrant as say 2019, but then nowhere really is.
I've been in that area and it still feels very empty compared to how it used to be. Neighborhood watering holes like Steff's, Natoma Cabana, and 83 Proof are still much emptier after work.
I've been in that area and it still feels very empty compared to how it used to be. Neighborhood watering holes like Steff's, Natoma Cabana, and 83 Proof are still much emptier after work.
Well, downtown SF runs away with shopping and food options imo, not to mention visual appeal as far as variety in architectural styles and building density(criteria I didnt even touch on) and I also give SF the nod for attractions, as well as public transit convenience.
Also, I just walked back into my office on Mission Street about half-a-block from Salesforce Tower and there are a lot of people out enjoying the sun. It's not as vibrant as say 2019, but then nowhere really is.
Ive been to the downtowns of LA and Seattle fairly recently and they both strike me as being similar to SF, vibrant but not like before.
At least not yet.
Outside of California and other Covid-obsessed areas, everywhere is just as vibrant (and some places - like TX, FL and suburban CT) are way more vibrant than in 2019.
I"d be curious to know when the last time the posters ranking SF at or near the top have been to downtown San Francisco. Especially if "vibrancy and activity" is the criteria boosting it to the top.
SF downtown on the skyline aesthetic level is stunning, jaw dropping, and second to none. It looks like it could be a mini Manhattan on west coast but yet you never hear of anyone making trips up to Bay just to take in, enjoy, or party in downtown SF at all. Just think if it was an actual mini Manhattan -it would be one of the crown jewels of California. Matter of fact people that live in LA would even take trips up there to take in a smaller scaled slice of NY. Its unfathomable that the Bay Area nightlife scene is minuscule at best
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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I suppose happy hours should be more happening, except a lot of people get stuck on freeways at 5-7PM..
I used to roll my eyes when I lived in boring OC….the happening place in Newport Beach was a chain Mexican restaurant that had a line to get in by 7PM on a Friday night. That was until some wannabe promoters rented out a place called John Dominis and hosted parties that began a little later. Ultimately, I ended up driving to LA for better nightlife.
Then there’s the women factor; SF had the least attractive, OC the snootiest, LA and SD were better/best. Portland and Seattle in the middle with some gems. SF did have some good clubs back in the day in South of Market; I dreaded going out in Marin as there were CHP’s who would pull me over for no reason at all. The best happy hour was my ferry ride back home until they went to higher speed ferries that reduced my drinking time from 30 to 20 minutes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mhays25
If the West Coast gets up early and goes to bed early, wouldn't you adjust the timing of "nightlife" the same way?
Last edited by elchevere; 02-18-2022 at 10:23 AM..
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