San Francisco is a city of free and relaxed spirit, contrasts and conflicts, liberal views and traditional values, unusual past and wealthy present. It will never leave you indifferent. Indeed, everyone who has ever been to this city always wants to come back.
What is it, San Francisco?
It's a city of contrasts.
Visiting the city for the first time you get surprised with the thick and dense fog. Early in the morning, as if it's a down quilt, the fog covers the whole city from the bottom to the top. In just a couple of hours the sun is raising and the air gets very hot. At the same time the ice cold wind comes from the ocean and makes you put a jacket on. Strolling down the street is not an easy thing to do. At first it seems that you are walking on the plain the next moment you feel like you are climbing a mountain. It's because of the landscape. San Francisco lies on the hills that slowly slide down to the valley. These contrasts are featured in everything - in architecture, food, and way of living. Modern minimalistic skyscrapers easily mix with the Victorian style historical monuments.
It's a city of religion
Having been founded by Spanish explorers, the city shows a lot of religious beginnings. At first San Francisco was a Dolores mission and then it became a city which was named after the beloved catholic saint Francisco de Asís. The hippie movement had its beginnings in this city during the 1920's. The movement had a great impact on the lives of many generations after. The echo of hippie culture can still be observed in modern art, literature and social movements.
It's a city of business.
The city has a high acumen for business. San Francisco developed a lot during the gold rush and by the middle of 1920's became one of the most expensive cities in the US.
Not to mention that the latest discoveries in scientific world are born here every day. It takes just 30 minutes and you are in Silicon Valley. It's a place where the smartest people on Earth decide in what reality we are going to live in future. All the biggest IT and pharmaceutical companies are situated there, maybe now somebody is creating a virtual reality or a cure of cancer.
It's a city of romance.
This city, of course, is filled with romantic spirit. You can feel it everywhere: in the air, in the rooftops, in the small cozy cable cars, that are circling around the city. You can even feel it in the numerous ordinary cafes, where you can try the most delicious sandwich and coffee. Even the sightseeing attractions have this slight romantic vibe. These are epic Golden Gate Bridge and the park of the same name, placed by sea shore, gloomy and dark Alcatraz, famous for epic Al Capone being convicted and placed in it. The biggest and the oldest Chinatown is situated there too.
San Francisco is very an unpredictable many-sided and bright city. Going there don't forget to take some warm clothes. Make sure you walk all the city up and down, meet new people, have lunch at some casual restaurants and just simple enjoy your time spending in this unique city.
At last, remember, going to San Francisco you can lose heart to this city, because it's a city of love.
I hope, my photos will help you to get a better idea of the atmosphere of the city and will make you want to visit it. In this book I prepared the list of sights for you. More information you will find on my Instagram page with a hashtag #sanfranciscoacityoflove.