What Works in San Francisco

You're looking for your heart, and we hear you might've left it in San Francisco. The 'best coast' city has 800,000+ people in love with its scenic views, sunny weather and eclectic taste. Everything about San Francisco, it seems, works. What do you think works? Head over to Celebrate What Works and you could win $500.

Golden Gate Bridge

Hubert Yu / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / Flickr: hubertyu

Spanning 2,042 meters or so, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the modern Wonders of the World. It's beautiful, sure, some say it's the most photographed bridge in the world. But it also just plain works--getting San Franciscans and their friends from one side of the Golden Gate Strait to the other. For a structure that took just over four years to build, that's not too bad.

The Food

Sörn / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: soerenpeters

Rice-A-Roni: The San Francisco Treat! And that isn't all. San Francisco is home to some of the best grub--from burritos to Korean BBQ. It also claims to be the mother to a great number of original foods, including Green Goddess Dressing, Crab Louis Salad, Irish Coffee and the Fortune Cookie.

The Great Outdoors

Elaine with Grey Cats / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Flickr: elainegreycats

From rock climbing at Castle Rock State Park to enjoying the redwoods and beaches of Sonoma, San Francisco is easily accessible to a plethora of outdoor options. Never let a city restrict your green thumb, in San Fran you're only four hours from The Sierras--not to mention Santa Cruz and Yosemite. A city where you can easily escape the pavement? Works.

The Technology

Savoir-faire Linux / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: savoirfairelinux

Digg, Craigslist, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit...We could go on. It's all in San Francisco. New York's got the big boys, but San Francisco's tech community is skyrocketing. And all of those smarties in one small city? Works. Expect more OF THE FUTURE in the future from San Francisco.

Warholian / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / Flickr: warholian

San Francisco's more than 100 art galleries line the streets of Geary, Post and Sutter--showcasing everything from the newest artists to the work of Picasso, Rembrant and Warhol. San Francisco is known for its growing and ever-changing art scene, showcasing everything from traditional art, fine art photography, and paintings to prints, sculpture, glass, and vintage art.

William Murphy / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Flickr: infomatique

Nothing works better, and is more unique to San Francisco, than its pride. Brought to life each year as a giant parade (with an attendance of over 1 million people this past year!) Pride is the largest gathering of LGBT people and allies in the US.

David McSpadden / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: familyclan

San Francisco's summers are quite unique, as it can often be surprisingly cool (rather than hot and humid, like other parts of California.) Currents from the Pacific Ocean flow into the cityscape, producing a nicely mild year-round climate with small variation. Not to mention San Fran's famous fogs, which often roll in and engulf the city.

blupics / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: blupics

WIthin a few blocks, you can literally travel from the famously hippy (and now very tourist-friendly) Haight, through The Castro, across the barrio of The Mission and into the suburbs of Noe Valley. And there's plenty more neighborhoods where those came from--all within a city of just over 800,000 people.

Paul Sullivan / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / Flickr: pfsullivan_1056

Okay, the San Francisco trolleys are definitely a tourist attraction--but a much celebrated, amazingly effective one at that. The last manually operated cable car system (in the world!) San Fran's famous trolleys are just a part of its awesome urban transport system--also called "Muni".

Everything about San Francisco, it seems, works. What do you think works? Head over to Celebrate What Works and you could win $500.