You’ve probably read plenty of recent news stories about how San Francisco is a failed city. Our infrastructure is crumbling, our streets are scary, our social fabric is torn and frayed. Most of that stuff is false. Yes, San Francisco has issues, but they’re the same problems nearly all US cities are facing as they struggle to reorient themselves to our new, post-pandemic economic reality. The “doom loop” narrative that’s often repeated in the national press is a gross exaggeration.
The truth is that San Francisco is thriving. We are at the epicenter of the machine intelligence revolution, as the forces of change draw tech wizards, entrepreneurs, and VC megabucks into our city like a neodymium magnet. Our counterculture roots are still sprouting, and the reigning ethos is one that encourages free thinkers to blaze their own trail.
The city is small and walkable—just 49 square miles, surrounded by water on three sides—and rich with natural green spaces. It’s diverse, with thriving Asian, Pacific Islander, and Latin American communities. It’s also a mecca for queer folks and a sanctuary for trans and nonbinary young people. It will spoil you with culture, mild weather, and positively killer views from the tops of the famously abundant hills.
If you’re coming to town for a job interview, a conference, a VC pitch tour, a new job, or if you’re just here to soak up the vibes, this is where to go, what to do, and how to find your people.
Where to Stay
Union Square Hotels
Courtesy of Palisociety
417 Stockton Street, (415) 400-0500
You’ll find this entry in the Palisociety hotel chain on the edge of Union Square, tucked between the mouth of the Stockton tunnel and SF’s massive flagship Apple store. The recently renovated historic building is brimming with old-timey charm (including the 110-year-old Otis elevator, one of the oldest in the city) but has modern conveniences, like the fact that concierge requests are made and resolved over text message. The Pali is also affordable; a single queen room is rarely over $150. On the second floor is the spacious and chill Bar Maritime, which features a knockout menu of nautical-themed craft cocktails and small plates. The full-service Maritime Boat Club restaurant in the back, with a seafood-focused (but vegetarian-friendly) seasonal menu, also shouldn’t be missed. Top destinations in nearby neighborhoods—the bustling restaurants of Chinatown and the lively bars and nightclubs of North Beach—are 10 to 20 minutes away on foot. A short walk in the other direction leads you to the Moscone Convention Center and the corporate offices south of Market street in the SOMA district.
Courtesy of Z Hotels San Francisco
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