San Francisco

Yerba Buena, home to one of Spain's missionary sites, was renamed San Francisco in 1847. The newly christened city of San Francisco was only 459 strong in 1847 but the discovery of gold in 1848 caused the population to swell to over 100,000 by 1849. The influx of money from Gold Rush banking, increased trade via the Transcontinental Railroad and San Francisco's growing importance as a port ensured the continued growth of the city.

San Francisco suffered a setback in 1906 in the form of a huge earthquake. The city recovered but slumped again when the mid-1930's brought the Great Depression to California. This period was not all negative, however. The Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, two of the city's major landmarks, were finished in 1936 and 1937 respectively.

Since then, San Francisco has grown steadily, but wisely. Good city planning (short buildings ensuring lovely views), a beautiful bay and environmentally aware residents maintain San Francisco's remarkable charm. At the same time, San Francisco is a computer-savvy city, respected for its Silicon Valley pioneering.

San Francisco's unique ambience ensures visitors a different perspective on the American city. Don't expect New York hustle, New England primness or Southern charm; San Francisco has its own unique personality. Much of this stems from its eclecticism: Sunday dim sum in Chinatown is as essential to the San Francisco experience as gay comedy in the Castro district or the Deadhead revivals of the Haight-Ashbury hippies.