Facts about San Francisco

Chances are you know about the beautiful bridges and waterside views that San Francisco offers. However, the city is also home to the Asian resident who invented the fortune cookie—and there are lots of great Asian restaurants in San Francisco as well. San Francisco was a part of Mexico until the Mexican-American War in 1848. You may be able to get great financial or business information while you’re in the city as well—not one bank in San Francisco failed during the Depression! In fact, the Golden Gate Bridge was constructed during the Depression era. The city is also home to lots of redwood trees, and buildings made by redwood are less likely to go up in flames during a fire.

Moving to San Francisco

Climate

Due to the coastal location of San Francisco experiences unique climate conditions year-round. The city is known for its cool, mild, and foggy weather throughout the year. Summers in San Francisco are typically cool and foggy, with temperatures ranging between 50-70. Winters are mild, with temperatures ranging between 40-50.

Culture

San Francisco is known for being a progressive city with incredible arts, tech, and activism. Nothing is “too weird” for this city, so don’t be surprised if you see things you’ve never seen before. Burning Man culture is a big part of the city so you will see lots of preparatory and “decompression” events around the August festival. There are also in-city festivals galore like Outside Lands, the How Weird Street Festival, the Pride Parade, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. 

Transportation

San Francisco’s public transportation might not be quite as easy to navigate as New York since it’s mostly busses, but it will still get you where you need to go. Parking in the city is next to impossible so taking the BART or the Muni bus could save you a lot of time and money. A monthly pass costs $78, or $94 if you want to include the BART within SF.

Cost of Living

San Francisco is known for its high cost of living. It consistently ranks among one of the most expensive cities in the United States. The housing market is well known to be expensive, and everyday amenities such as groceries, dining out, and entertainment options are typically higher than in other cities. San Francisco also has rather high state and local taxes, furthering the expenses in the overall cost of living.

Transportation and Parking

San Francisco has a large public transit system consisting of buses, light rails and cable cars. The city also sports a wekk developed bike lane system. Ride sharing services are popular and taxis are reliable. Parking in San Francisco is a challenge due to limited space. Street parking is scarce and meter parking is often expensive. Parking garages and residential permits are widely popular among residents.

Where to Live

San Francisco neighborhoods are a mix of trendy, old-school, and tranquil, with more parks and restaurants than any other city in the U.S. The Marina is a trendy neighborhood by the water full of lively bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Outer Richmond and Sunset Districts offer a more peaceful atmosphere further away from downtown. The Tenderloin and Visitacion Valley are more affordable neighborhoods.

Unpakt’s Most Recommended

Union Square (333 Post St)

This historic spot is a popular hangout and has lots of great shops, as well as hotels and theaters.

Wok Shop Café (1307 Sutter St)

This unique café has a number of Chinese food supplies you can use at home, as well as fresh soup and rice dishes.

Mission Dolores Park (19th St & Dolores St)

This large park is the perfect place for a picnic, and there are plenty of spots for a nature walk or baseball game.

Restaurant Gary Danko (800 N Point)

This elegant restaurant features a fixed-price menu, sophisticated entrees, and elegant desserts.

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