The Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline from the Marin Headlands above Sausalito are shown in 2015. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, file)
I wondered what reaction I would get to Wednesday’s pro-San Francisco column after my vacation there. Our suburban Inland Empire is in some ways the opposite of SF, and some people gloat when a cosmopolitan city displays even the slightest hint of dysfunction.
To my surprise, almost everyone who commented via email or social media was positive, with few naysayers. And there were more comments than usual, many of them thoughtful. Let me give you an excerpt of it here: the good, the bad, and the neutral.
Read them while enjoying an imaginary bowl of clam chowder from a sourdough bread bowl. (It’s imaginary, so no carbs.)
Janet Cerswell: “My husband and I just got back from a road trip there last week. I’ve even been warned by friends about how dangerous it is. Pooh! This is a great city with the urban problems that all big cities have. But a lot of these other cities don’t have all the things that make SF special: the architecture, the food, the culture, the parks, the culture, the people.”
Note that Janet mentioned culture twice. That’s how sophisticated SF is.
Ofelia Valdez-Yeager: “It was fun to visit SF on behalf! Thank you for providing a “real” update. You made me feel like I was there.”
Who needs virtual reality glasses when you have a newspaper?
Pamela Gartska: “City Lights is my favorite bookstore! There, on the second floor, Beat poets such as Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti read their works. Climbing the steps to the room where they read their poetry is like going to church for me. And I shopped at Amoeba Music too! I love San Francisco for all the reasons you mention.”
I like climbing stairs. It’s even better if they’re available in bookstores.
Richard Armour: “Ask anyone who criticizes San Francisco this question: ‘When was the last time you were in San Francisco?’ I do, and 98% of the time the answer is “I’ve never been there” or “At least 20 years ago”. I tell them, “Yeah, I know, because I go there several times a year and all this bullshit about San Francisco is just bullshit!” (My apologies to the Cow Palace!)”
Richard is a man who knows everything.
Linda Trawnik: “Your gift for seeing and writing about the many joys that are available to us when we choose to see them is such a welcome and refreshing perspective. I want to return to San Francisco now as I realize it’s been too long. Thank you for a great column!”
Thank you for an above average comment.
Orlando Davidson, Portland, Oregon: “Great column. Portland experiences the same somber mood, despite the wonderful ventures mingling with the real city issues.”
I love Portland too. Obviously urban issues don’t bother me.
Kevin Sammons: “Articles like this are the reason I subscribe. Otherwise, SCNG newspapers not only criticize California – both North and South – but downright vilify it so much that I often wonder why the current owners bought the company.”
Maybe our California bashing is why others are signing up.
Catherine Brundage: “I’ve just been to San Francisco for a week and stayed at Dolores Park, where I lived 40 years ago. The city may have its problems, but it’s still breathtakingly beautiful and full of charming little corners. Golden Gate Park is a treasure. Every restaurant meal I’ve had on this visit has been really good, if not outstanding. Wear layers and be prepared to walk. Take it all in.”
Good strategy. Of course, when people can’t park right in front of their destination in IE, they start crying.
John Stanford: “Thank you for a wonderful column about your trip to San Francisco. Fox News seems to want to convince everyone that places like Portland, Chicago and New Orleans are under siege, but in reality they express their enthusiasm when they cover everything negative when it comes to San Francisco. With that in mind, it’s refreshing to read a column that offers an honest account of the place.”
I’ll be in touch, you decide.
Icarus Jones: “Did it feel different for you? I’m going back in September and I’m a little scared.”
It just feels like SF to me. Maybe I’ll go back in September myself.
Point Cosentino-Phillips: “Great column, but I still don’t feel like visiting San Francisco today. I was there four years ago and just didn’t feel safe.”
Admittedly, city breaks are not for everyone. That just leaves more delicious croissants for the rest of us.
Michael mentor: “So you’re the one…”
…who likes to travel? Yes. And by the way, in 2022, 21.9 million people from all over the world visited SF.
John Phillips: “I agree with David Allen. No matter how big the pile of steaming, stinking, putrid horse manure, if you keep looking, chances are you’ll find a pony in there somewhere. San (Expletive) is nowhere near what it used to be when I was there, but the newbies will never know any better.”
Tell us more about the old days, grandpa.
Kit Miller: “I liked your story about San Francisco. I love The City too. I swore I would move there when I grew up, but circumstances never allowed it. I live near Berdoo and was thinking about flying there to have lunch and enjoy some culture. Your column today calmed my fears of the horrors (I hear) I might encounter.”
Good to hear. And if you’re going all the way, why don’t you stay for dinner?
For the books
Pat Lambert spent 29 years at Pomona Public Library, where she was senior librarian, advocate for reading and free speech, and always had a cheerful demeanor.
At her retirement party on Wednesday, there were cupcakes with the library’s logo on them and a number of well-wishers, including myself. What did Lambert do before she went home after her last shift? She borrowed a few books.
meager
A tribute band, Who Generation, performed at Chino Hills’ Concerts in the Park Wednesday night. I imagine a naïve Who fan showing up hoping to see the real Who, learning that the cast are copycats, and yelling, “Don’t be fooled again.”
David Allen (who?) writes Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Email dallen@scng.com, call 909-483-9339, like davidallencolumnist on Facebook and follow @davidallen909 on Twitter.
