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'''San Francisco''' refers to both the city and [[county]] in [[California]] and is generally considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. <ref>http://www.globosapiens.net/travel-information/San+Francisco-638.html</ref> It is well known for its excellent public transit systems, including Muni subway and streetcars, BART ([[Bay Area Rapid Transit]]) trains to suburbs, and the famous San Francisco cable cars. <ref>http://www.reserve-hotel.com/HBOImages/destinations/usa/sanfran/transportation.asp</ref> The city has survived two extremely damaging earthquakes, one in 1906 and another one about 75 miles away in 1989 <ref>http://www.sfmuseum.org/1906/89.html</ref><ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/18april/index.php</ref> known as the [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]]. Fear of another earthquake is the reason that no freeway through the city exists.  Indeed, it is impossible to access the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] without driving on city streets.

'''San Francisco''' refers to both the city and [[county]] in [[California]] and is generally considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. <ref>http://www.globosapiens.net/travel-information/San+Francisco-638.html</ref> It is well known for its excellent public transit systems, including Muni subway and streetcars, BART ([[Bay Area Rapid Transit]]) trains to suburbs, and the famous San Francisco cable cars. <ref>http://www.reserve-hotel.com/HBOImages/destinations/usa/sanfran/transportation.asp</ref> The city has survived two extremely damaging earthquakes, one in 1906 and another one about 75 miles away in 1989 <ref>http://www.sfmuseum.org/1906/89.html</ref><ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/18april/index.php</ref> known as the [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]]. Fear of another earthquake is the reason that no freeway through the city exists.  Indeed, it is impossible to access the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] without driving on city streets.

The downtown area of the city is laid out on two grids, with a 45 degree offset between them.  Market Street separates the two grids.  Many tourists come to visit the Civic Center, Embarcadero, and Union Square areas, all of which are north of Market.  Famous San Francisco landmarks include the [[Golden Gate Bridge]], Fisherman's Wharf, and [[Alcatraz Island]].

The downtown area of the city is laid out on two grids, with a 45 degree offset between them.  Market Street separates the two grids.  Many tourists come to visit the Civic Center, Embarcadero, and Union Square areas, all of which are north of Market.  Famous San Francisco landmarks include the [[Golden Gate Bridge]], [[Fisherman's Wharf]], and [[Alcatraz Island]].

[[Image:GoldenGateBridge02.jpg|right|220px]]

[[Image:GoldenGateBridge02.jpg|right|220px]]

San Francisco, with a large [[Homosexuality|homosexual]] population, is also considered to be one of the [[most liberal American cities]].  Its mayor, [[Gavin Newsom]] ordered the city clerk to issue marriage licenses [[same-sex marriage | to same-sex couples]] despite the practice being explicitly illegal under California law.  The marriages were nullified by the courts shortly thereafter, as the mayor and clerk were violating California state law.<ref>http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07020106.html</ref>  

San Francisco, with a large [[Homosexuality|homosexual]] population, is also considered to be one of the [[most liberal American cities]].  Its mayor, [[Gavin Newsom]] ordered the city clerk to issue marriage licenses [[same-sex marriage | to same-sex couples]] despite the practice being explicitly illegal under California law.  The marriages were nullified by the courts shortly thereafter, as the mayor and clerk were violating California state law.<ref>http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07020106.html</ref>