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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>  

In 2001, the city of San Francisco extended its workers health insurance to cover sex change operations for municipal employees. <ref>http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2001-05-01/article/4630?headline=Sex-change-benefits-approved-in-San-Francisco</ref> <ref>http://www.brentmorrison.com/0102Sex_change.htm</ref>

In 2001, the city of San Francisco extended its workers health insurance to cover sex change operations for municipal employees.<ref>http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2001-05-01/article/4630?headline=Sex-change-benefits-approved-in-San-Francisco</ref><ref>http://www.brentmorrison.com/0102Sex_change.htm</ref>

The Board of Supervisors and Mayor approved the measure which extended up to $50,000 in benefits to city workers who want to switch their gender. <ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E0D71130F93BA25751C0A9679C8B63</ref>

The Board of Supervisors and Mayor approved the measure which extended up to $50,000 in benefits to city workers who want to switch their gender.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E0D71130F93BA25751C0A9679C8B63</ref>

San Francisco is also a "city of refuge", which means they have passed an ordinance that it is against the law to report illegal immigrants to the United States authorities as they are required to legally do.  In other words anyone upholding the federal law will get in trouble with the city.  This has led to a culture of under aged drug dealers continuing their trade with impunity.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,374803,00.html</ref>

San Francisco is also a "city of refuge", which means they have passed an ordinance that it is against the law to report illegal immigrants to the United States authorities as they are required to legally do.  In other words anyone upholding the federal law will get in trouble with the city.  This has led to a culture of under aged drug dealers continuing their trade with impunity.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,374803,00.html</ref>

==History==

==History==

[[File:View of San Francisco in 1846-7.jpg|thumb|View of San Francisco, Formerly Yerba Buena, in 1846-7.]]

[[File:View of San Francisco in 1846-7.jpg|thumb|View of San Francisco, Formerly Yerba Buena, in 1846-7.]]

The Yelamu tribe of American Indians lived in the San Francisco peninsula prior to European arrival in the area, with settlements dating to as late as 3000 BC<ref>http://www.nps.gov/history/seac/sfprehis.htm</ref>; however, it should be noted that [[carbon dating]] is likely flawed.  

The Yelamu tribe of American Indians lived in the San Francisco peninsula prior to European arrival in the area, with settlements dating to as late as 3000 BC;<ref>http://www.nps.gov/history/seac/sfprehis.htm</ref> however, it should be noted that [[carbon dating]] is likely flawed.  

San Francisco was founded as a mission by Franciscan monks in 1776. Within only a few years, several natives had been converted to Christianity<ref>http://www.islaiscreek.org/ohlonehistorybackground.html</ref>. A census conducted at the time showed a total of 814 people living in and around the mission<ref>The Annals of San Francisco Part I Chapter 3</ref>.

San Francisco was founded as a mission by Franciscan monks in 1776. Within only a few years, several natives had been converted to Christianity.<ref>http://www.islaiscreek.org/ohlonehistorybackground.html</ref> A census conducted at the time showed a total of 814 people living in and around the mission.<ref>The Annals of San Francisco Part I Chapter 3</ref>

The San Francisco Bay, as well as its central location, and position on the California mission trail played heavily into the growth of the city during the California Gold Rush.

The San Francisco Bay, as well as its central location, and position on the California mission trail played heavily into the growth of the city during the California Gold Rush.

===Major Earthquakes===

===Major Earthquakes===

In 1906, a large earthquake struck San Francisco, killing approximately 3000 people and starting a fire which burned about 4.7 square miles of cityscape. <ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/18april/casualties.php</ref>. The earthquake originated on the [[San Andreas]] fault, which continues to threaten major Californian cities.

In 1906, a large earthquake struck San Francisco, killing approximately 3000 people and starting a fire which burned about 4.7 square miles of cityscape.<ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/18april/casualties.php</ref>  The earthquake originated on the [[San Andreas]] fault, which continues to threaten major Californian cities.

The second largest earthquake to affect San Francisco, the [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]], struck in 1989, causing damage to the city and surrounding areas.

The second largest earthquake to affect San Francisco, the [[Loma Prieta Earthquake]], struck in 1989, causing damage to the city and surrounding areas.

===Boosters===

===Boosters===

In the first half of the 20th century, business interests in San Francisco, organized into the Chamber of Commerce, asserted themselves as the only legitimate leaders of the community, asserting that labor unions were only a disruptive special interest. However the voters and the overall political culture of the city were much more sympathetic to the working class and to labor unions as their representatives in civic decision making. After conflict between business and unions, including strikes sometimes requiring federal troops, business finally accepted the legitimacy of labor unions after the bitter strike in 1934. The resulting business-labor partnership aided San Francisco's postwar expansion.<ref> William Issel, "Business Power and Political Culture in San Francisco, 1900-1940," ''Journal of Urban History,'' 1989 16(1): 52-77</ref>  

In the first half of the 20th century, business interests in San Francisco, organized into the Chamber of Commerce, asserted themselves as the only legitimate leaders of the community, asserting that labor unions were only a disruptive special interest. However the voters and the overall political culture of the city were much more sympathetic to the working class and to labor unions as their representatives in civic decision making. After conflict between business and unions, including strikes sometimes requiring federal troops, business finally accepted the legitimacy of labor unions after the bitter strike in 1934. The resulting business-labor partnership aided San Francisco's postwar expansion.<ref>William Issel, "Business Power and Political Culture in San Francisco, 1900-1940," ''Journal of Urban History,'' 1989 16(1): 52-77</ref>  

The Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939-40 boosted San Francisco.  The exposition's board was dominated by members of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce who had the support of major area corporations, other western states, and federal agencies. The Exposition departed from the tradition of world fairs in its eclectic organization of exhibits, which included productions, displays, lectures, films, demonstrations, and bazaars. These exhibits reflected a transitional phase in American culture, characterized by the process of fragmentation and recombination. The tensions of American society on the eve of World War II were manifested in exhibitions expressing both desires for peace and simplicity, and fascination with expansion and technology. <ref> Lisa Rubens, "Re-presenting the Nation: The Golden Gate International Exposition," ''European Contributions to American Studies'' 1994 27: 121-139.</ref>

The Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939-40 boosted San Francisco.  The exposition's board was dominated by members of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce who had the support of major area corporations, other western states, and federal agencies. The Exposition departed from the tradition of world fairs in its eclectic organization of exhibits, which included productions, displays, lectures, films, demonstrations, and bazaars. These exhibits reflected a transitional phase in American culture, characterized by the process of fragmentation and recombination. The tensions of American society on the eve of World War II were manifested in exhibitions expressing both desires for peace and simplicity, and fascination with expansion and technology.<ref>Lisa Rubens, "Re-presenting the Nation: The Golden Gate International Exposition," ''European Contributions to American Studies'' 1994 27: 121-139.</ref>

== Bill O'Reilly and San Francisco Values ==

== Bill O'Reilly and San Francisco Values ==

In 1990 and 1991 extreme public lewdness was exhibited at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Parades and when police authorities were asked why there were no arrests they offered various excuses such as the primary responsibility was to "reflect community standards and maintain crowd control."<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/marco/special/spc12.html</ref>

In 1990 and 1991 extreme public lewdness was exhibited at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Parades and when police authorities were asked why there were no arrests they offered various excuses such as the primary responsibility was to "reflect community standards and maintain crowd control."<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/marco/special/spc12.html</ref>

The city at that time had no rule outlawing being naked in public; on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on if they would change the law that allowed public nudity. <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/san-francisco-lawmakers-set-vote-nudity-ban-17765727#.UKuzA1JK1kg</ref> The nudity ban passed 6 votes to 5. <ref>http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/SF-Supes-Approve-Nudity-Ban-180252481.html</ref>.

The city at that time had no rule outlawing being naked in public; on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on if they would change the law that allowed public nudity.<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/san-francisco-lawmakers-set-vote-nudity-ban-17765727#.UKuzA1JK1kg</ref> The nudity ban passed 6 votes to 5.<ref>http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/SF-Supes-Approve-Nudity-Ban-180252481.html</ref>

==Walk For Life West Coast==

==Walk For Life West Coast==

San Francisco is home to two major professional sports teams: the [[San Francisco Giants]] [[baseball]] team and the [[San Francisco 49ers]] [[football]] team.

San Francisco is home to two major professional sports teams: the [[San Francisco Giants]] [[baseball]] team and the [[San Francisco 49ers]] [[football]] team.

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Emperor Norton]]

* [[Emperor Norton]]

* [[Grace Cathedral]]

* [[Grace Cathedral]]

==References==

==References==

[[Category : California Cities and Towns]]

[[Category:California Cities and Towns]]

[[Category : San Francisco]]

[[Category:San Francisco]]

[[Category : Western United States]]

[[Category:Western United States]]

[[Category : Anti Second Amendment]]

[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]

[[Category : California Counties]]

[[Category:California Counties]]

[[Category : Most Liberal American Cities]]

[[Category:Most Liberal American Cities]]