City Overview
San Francisco, California—the “Golden City”—is a top international tourist destination. For this reason, many people can quickly recognize the city by a few of its most famous hallmarks: the unique cable car system, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Prison, and Fisherman’s Wharf (see below pictures). While these landmarks are important to understanding the city, they are far from inclusive. San Francisco has a much more complex history—one that includes many successes, but also many low points. Today, the 47 square-mile city is home to a thriving economy based on port trade, finance, commerce, manufacturing, and tourism. While not a key economic player in the city, San Francisco is also known for its wealth of higher education opportunities—some in the city, and some just miles away in neighboring Palo Alto and Berkley [10]. Many contemporary Americans tout San Francisco as being the center of the sixties counterculture movement (notably in the Haight-Ashbury District); however, its cultural significance began decades before with a large opera, dance, music, writing, and art scene. The city also has a rich tradition of ethnic diversity, as evidenced through its historical ethnic neighborhoods (Chinatown, Japantown, the Mission District, etc.) and high proportion of immigrants [10]. Progressive by nature, the city has been a frontrunner on policy issues such as racial integration and gay rights. This has not been without its share of push-back and hostility, however—for the desirable, often idealized, “City by the Bay” has also dealt with severe prejudice and violence over the years. Nevertheless, with over 805,235 people (Census 2010), San Francisco grows more unaffordable by the year, as thousands compete to live in the city [10].
Explore the forces that have shaped San Francisco's spatial structure: critical points in time; land features; local, regional, and global economics; transportation advances; and demographic factors. Each section has an introduction, accessible by clicking on the title. The drop-down menus navigate to specific pages within the section. Buttons will redirect you to other sections of the website.
Explore the forces that have shaped San Francisco's spatial structure: critical points in time; land features; local, regional, and global economics; transportation advances; and demographic factors. Each section has an introduction, accessible by clicking on the title. The drop-down menus navigate to specific pages within the section. Buttons will redirect you to other sections of the website.
Explore the current city form with this interactive Google Map.