Your Comprehensive San Francisco Living Guide

Photo by: Colleen Proppe

Welcome to sunny California! Surrounded by water on three sides, the views of the Pacific Ocean and the Bay are breathtaking in San Francisco. Year round temperatures in this fair city range from 50 to 70 degrees with an average of 260 days of sunshine per year. And, if the climate of San Francisco doesn’t give you something to smile about, the economy will.

The city houses Fortune 500 company headquarters such as Wells Fargo, Gap, PG&E Corp., Charles Schwab, URS, and Levi Strauss. While tourism, financial companies, and retail headquarters make up a large portion of the economy, San Francisco is becoming increasingly known as a biotechnology hub and research center for the area with strong connections to Silicon Valley.

If you’re new to San Francisco or just want to learn more about the local flavor, restaurants, and housing options, check out the info below.

Photo by: Cris Pierry

Interesting Facts About San Francisco

• Denim jeans were invented in San Francisco. Developed as rugged clothing for miners during the Gold Rush.
• The world’s largest landlocked harbor is San Francisco Bay.
• San Francisco was the first city in the US to provide health insurance.
• The Golden Gate Bridge is the second longest suspension bridge in the country.
• The median household income in San Francisco is over $57,000, the third highest in the nation.

Top 10 Popular Restaurants in San Francisco

1. Gary Danko – $$$$
2. La Petite Deli
3. Ike’s Place – $
4. Sun Stream’s Coffee, Pastries, Smoothies – $
5. Sotto Mare – $$
6. Crepes A Go Go – $
7. Radio Africa and Kitchen – $$$
8. Little Star Pizza – $$$
9. Frascati – $$$
10. La Corneta Taqueria – $

Photo by: Eden

Top Green Spots in San Francisco

1. Paulines’s Pizza – Homegrown, homemade products
2. The Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market – Supports local farmers
3. Strybring Arboretum – Dedication to conservation and educational programs
4. Cafe Gratitude – Supports local farms and sustainable agriculture
5. Blue Bottle Cafe – Best organic certified coffee beans

Housing Options in San Francisco

The city maintains a high standard of living with a strong workforce of educated, high-income workers. The cost of living in the city is high, but it’s worth it to be a part of the unique culture of entertainment, education opportunities, performing arts, museums, world class shopping, and fine dining.

Top Pet Friendly Apartments

• Avalon Sunset Towers Apartments – $1745-$2940
• Parkmerced Apartments – $1850-$4665
• The Fillmore Center Apartments – $1510-$3565

Cheap Apartments in San Francisco

• Archstone Fox Plaza Apartments – Starting $1330
• Lakewood Apartments at Lake Merced – Starting $1394
• Northpoint Apartments – $1585

Luxury San Francisco Apartments

• Avalon Towers by the Bay
• Marina Cove Apartments
• Archstone South Market Apartments

Cultural Attractions of San Francisco

1. San Francisco Museums and Galleries
2. Parks of San Francisco
3. San Francisco Botanical Gardens
4. San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
5. Alcatraz Island

Photo by: daryl_mitchell

Other Useful San Francisco Resources

• San Francisco Unified School District
• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
• San Francisco Police Department Crime Maps and Statistics
• The Official San Francisco Website
• Visitors Guide for San Francisco

If you know of any other great spots in San Francisco or have any apartment searching tips to share, let us know in the comments!

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