I fell in love with  San Francisco the first time I set foot in this magical city. My family immigrated to the United States in the late 1970s from the Philippines, and I can still vividly remember stepping off that plane and feeling the cool air that chilled me with excitement. Driving into San Francisco from the airport, I immediately noticed the fog and how it cascaded through the hills of the city. This was going to be a new adventure!!!

Growing up in San Francisco, my siblings and I were exposed to many different cultures and different cuisines that were reflected in the many diverse neighborhoods in the city. I remember, as a young boy, going to Sunday service at St. Patrick’s Church on Mission Street and immediately going to Chinatown after mass to eat dim sum. I can still recall the hustle and bustle of the waitstaff pushing the carts with the steaming bamboo containers filled with all kinds of goodies. I also remember the first time we went to Japantown and walked around the center and tried sushi and ramen for the first time.  Of course, we also frequented the Mission District, where we had our first taste of the Mission Style Burrito, which is now popular all over the world.

As I got older, I went to high school on the other side of town and was introduced to the communities on the west side of the City.  My friends and I would have bonfires at Ocean Beach and explore the Sunset District.  It was a more residential area at the time, but there were some hidden gems in the area.  At this time, I also spent a lot of time in the Richmond District of the city.  The Sunset and Richmond Districts are parallel to each other and are separated by Golden Gate Park.

As a San Francisco resident, I have lived in many different neighborhoods. From Visitacion Valley with my family, my sister and I moved to Noe Valley near 24^th Street, which is the commercial center of the neighborhood.  After a few years of living with my sister, I moved to a beautiful Victorian building in the Duboce Triangle area. From there, I moved to Glen Park for several years, and now I am at Twin Peaks, where I wake up to a view of the city every day.

I love San Francisco, and I always will. It’s not a perfect city, but it’s perfect for me!

Author and photo credit: Jojo 

Check out our new Destination Guide, Navigate San Francisco Like a Pro, and plan your next adventure!