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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jerichothebard" data-source="post: 1859063" data-attributes="member: 4705">And this law is usually enforced quite strictly across the state, particularly in the cities.  There are a few places that make a tidy business on being the holdouts to the old ways, and in fact are routinely cited by the authorities for it.  They just write it off as a business expense.Rush Hour Traffic in and around San Francisco has eased since the Dot Com bust - there just aren't as many people going to work anymore.  Sad, but also cool.You might also look up the phenomenon known as 'Critical Mass' in which, on some Friday Afternoons, thousands of bicyclists take to the street and cause traffic problems.  Originally politically motivated, there are now many who participate just to cause trouble.It's also worth noting that the San Francisco Giants (last year's NL Champs) play in one of the nicest stadiums in the MLB.  Some of the top caterers in the city (known for its food, btw) have outlets there, selling everything from sushi to fresh clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.  Good luck finding a hot dog and a cheap beer, though.  Tickets are not cheap, either.  For both those things, head across the bay and take in an A's game. They are actually only replacing the east half, I think.  There is a website somewhere detailing the plans and progress of this project.It's called the Equinox, and it's on top of the Hilton (I think). From this restaurant, you can see the Bay bridge but not the Golden Gate.  But it's still really cool.Best views in the city:Nightime - treasure island (the island in the middle of the bay bridge) looking at the city at night.Daytime - Legion of Honor (an art museum), looking down at the Golden Gate Bridge and the beach, and over to Marin county.Events to be aware of:Chinese new yearsBay to Breakers (both mentioned above)Exotic Erotic Ball.  An annual event (on halloween, I think), the city's sexy side shows off.  Words can't do it justice, but people show up in just about everything or nothing at all.  Leather, latex, leashes, makeup, nylon, silicone... it's a party and dance club, but mostly about being decadant and debauched.SF Flavor:Beach Blanket Babylon: the longest running show in SF, this satirical music revue is funny, fresh, and features really big hats.  Leave your close-mindedness at the door.  They are pretty equal-opportunity, though.  Everybody gets skewered.  They have been here so long (30+ years) that they now have their street named after them.There are two art schools in town, one of which is the largest private art school in the US - the Academy of Art University (I'm an alum).  They have a fleet of secondhand black school buses trundling art students around town 24/7, because they have no central campus.  Classes are held in 20 or so different buildings all scattered around town. (FYI, the school and it's current director are among the largest landholders in the city)Bike messengers.  LOTS of bike messengers.  Read Wm Gibson's Virtual Light for a near/dark future version of them.Queers and Sex.  SF is known for being one of the gayest cities in the world.  The Castro district is kind of the epicenter - lots of rainbow flags, lots of alternative shops.  See above under Exotic Erotic.  Also look up Gavin Newsom (Our very straight but not narrow mayor) on the internet.  Also look up the Good Vibrations Store (not work or child or grandma -friendly, unless you have a pretty cool grandma), one of the industry leaders in sex toys and sexual education in all its flavors.Raiders fans vs. 49er's fans. Radiers fans are rabid, loyal, and tend to be from the East bay - Oakland and Alameda, specifically.  They have been known to riot and shoot other Raiders fans.  Raider apparel seems to frequently be associated with gangs and thugs.  49ers fans are mellow, laid back, and have been known to leave a game early to catch Sienfeld.  The 49er's, however, featured two of the greatest quarterbacks in history.  In a row, and won lots of Superbowls back in the day.  Lately, they suck.Real estate prices.  During the dot com boom, there were select buildings in the Financial District renting office space for $90.Per square foot.And there was a waiting list.Residential isn't much cheaper, and vacancy is low.  It's a lot like Manhatten.  For example, Monica's apartment on Friends, taken and set in SF somewhere, would fetch between $2000 and $4000 a month.Hope that helps.</blockquote>

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