San Francisco, California
San Francisco, colloquially known as The City by the Bay, is one of the most iconic and well-known cities in the United States. Located in Northern California along the San Francisco Bay and Pacific coast, it is known for its hilly landscape, year-round fog, colorful Victorian houses, cable cars, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
Population
As of 2021, San Francisco had an estimated population of 874,961 residents, making it the 16th most populous city in the United States. The population is concentrated primarily in the northeastern corner of San Francisco proper near the Bay. The racial makeup of the city is 48.5% white, 5.8% Black, 33.3% Asian, 15.1% Hispanic/Latino, 0.5% Native American, and 3.8% mixed race. San Francisco is also one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world.
History
San Francisco was founded on June 29, 1776 when Spanish colonists established the Presidio of San Francisco military post. It was controlled by Mexico from 1821 to 1848 before being ceded to the United States after the Mexican-American War. The California Gold Rush beginning in 1848 led to rapid growth, turning San Francisco into the largest city on the West Coast in the late 19th century. It became a consolidated city-county in 1856. Read more on Wikipedia.
Government
San Francisco is both a city and county governed under a charter drafted in 1971. The mayor and Board of Supervisors govern the city and county. The current mayor is London Breed. Contact the city government offices at:
City Hall
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl #244
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-4000
sfgov.org
Economy
San Francisco has a strong service sector economy focused on tourism, finance, technology and healthcare. Major companies headquartered in San Francisco include Wells Fargo, Gap Inc., McKesson Corporation, Levi Strauss & Co., and Charles Schwab Corporation. The largest employers are the City and County of San Francisco, University of California, San Francisco, Wells Fargo, California Pacific Medical Center and San Francisco Unified School District. Learn more about the San Francisco economy.
Culture and Attractions
As one of the top tourist destinations in the world, San Francisco has countless attractions and cultural institutions. Iconic landmarks include:
- Golden Gate Bridge – 37.8199° N, 122.4783° W
- Alcatraz Island – 37.8270° N, 122.4233° W
- Cable cars
- Chinatown
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Alamo Square Park – Painted Ladies
Top museums and cultural attractions include the SFMOMA, Asian Art Museum, Legion of Honor, Exploratorium, and others. San Francisco also has a vibrant performing arts scene with venues such as the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, American Conservatory Theater, and more.
Sports
The major professional sports teams based in San Francisco are the San Francisco Giants baseball team, the Golden State Warriors basketball team, and the San Francisco 49ers football team. The Giants play at Oracle Park, the Warriors play at Chase Center, and the 49ers play at Levi’s Stadium in nearby Santa Clara.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is managed by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). The network includes historic cable cars, streetcars, light rail, subway, and buses. The BART regional rail system also serves San Francisco. Get more info at SFMTA.com.
Education
Public education in San Francisco is provided by the San Francisco Unified School District. There are over 160 district schools including charter and alternative schools. There are 19 high schools. See more at SFUSD.edu.
San Francisco is also home to several universities including the University of California, San Francisco, University of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco, and others.
Map of San Francisco
Additional Resources
Learn more about San Francisco at the following sites: