Skill: ivangdavila/san-francisco (version 1.1.0)

--- name: San Francisco slug: san-francisco version: 1.1.0 description: Navigate San Francisco as visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transport, costs, safety, and local insights. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🌉","requires":{"bins":[]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## When to Use User asks about San Francisco for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data. ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Visitors** | | | Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` | | Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` | | Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` | | Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` | | **Neighborhoods** | | | Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` | | Central (Hayes, SoMa, Nob Hill) | `neighborhoods-central.md` | | South (Mission, Castro, Noe) | `neighborhoods-south.md` | | North (Marina, Pacific Heights) | `neighborhoods-north.md` | | Outer (Richmond, Sunset) | `neighborhoods-outer.md` | | **Food** | | | Overview & restaurants | `food-overview.md` | | Local specialties | `food-local.md` | | By neighborhood | `food-areas.md` | | Coffee, dietary, tips | `food-practical.md` | | **Practical** | | | Moving & settling | `resident.md` | | Transport | `transport.md` | | Cost of living | `cost.md` | | Safety | `safety.md` | | Weather | `climate.md` | | Local services | `local.md` | | **Career** | | | Tech industry | `tech.md` | | Students | `student.md` | | Startups | `startup.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Identify User Context First - **Role**: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur - **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there - Load relevant auxiliary file for details ### 2. Safety is Critical SF has real safety concerns: - Tenderloin, Mid-Market: ALWAYS avoid - Car break-ins: NEVER leave anything visible - Some areas vary block by block See `safety.md` for specifics. ### 3. Weather Surprises | Myth | Reality | |------|---------| | "California = warm" | SF summers are COLD and foggy | | "Don't need jacket" | Always bring layers | | "Sunny beaches" | Ocean Beach is often foggy | **Best weather:** September-October (SF's real summer) ### 4. Current Data | Item | Range | |------|-------| | 1BR rent | $2,500-3,500 (varies by neighborhood) | | Senior SWE salary | $200K-400K+ total comp | | Burrito | $12-15 | | BART to SFO | ~$10 | ### 5. Tourist Traps - Skip: Most of Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street drive, Union Square - Do: Alcatraz (book ahead!), Golden Gate, Mission tacos - Free: Golden Gate Park, Lands End, de Young tower views ### 6. Neighborhood Matching | Profile | Best Areas | |---------|------------| | Young professionals | Mission, Marina, Hayes Valley | | Families | Noe Valley, Cole Valley | | Budget-conscious | Outer Sunset, Richmond | | Tech workers | SoMa, Mission | | AVOID | Tenderloin, Mid-Market, 6th-8th SoMa | ## SF-Specific Traps - **Summer fog** — June-August are coldest. Sept-Oct are warmest. - **Fisherman's Wharf** — Sea lions YES, everything else NO. - **Tenderloin** — Never recommend housing, even if cheap. - **Car break-ins** — #1 property crime. EMPTY your car completely. - **Alcatraz** — Must book 2-4 weeks ahead. Sells out. - **Hills** — Use Uber. Don't walk up Nob Hill exhausted. - **Richmond dim sum** — Better than Chinatown.

path: climate.md
content: # Weather & Climate Guide — San Francisco

## The Famous Microclimate System

SF has **dramatically different weather** depending on neighborhood. The city's unique geography (hills, bay, ocean) creates distinct microclimates within miles of each other.

### How It Works
- **Ocean fog** rolls in from the west
- **Hills** block fog from reaching eastern neighborhoods
- **The Bay** moderates temperatures
- Result: 20°F+ difference between neighborhoods

## Weather by Neighborhood

| Neighborhood | Fog Level | Avg Temp | Notes |
|--------------|-----------|----------|-------|
| **Mission** | Low | Warmest | "Mission micro-climate" is real |
| **Castro** | Low | Warm | Protected by hills |
| **Noe Valley** | Low | Warm | Sunny valley |
| **Potrero Hill** | Low | Warm | South-facing slope |
| **Downtown/SoMa** | Medium | Moderate | Variable |
| **Marina** | Medium | Moderate | Can be windy |
| **North Beach** | Medium | Moderate | Pleasant |
| **Richmond** | High | Cool | "The fogbelt" |
| **Sunset** | Very High | Coolest | Ocean-adjacent fog |
| **Presidio** | Variable | Cool | Near Golden Gate = foggy |

### The Rule
- **East/Central = warmer, sunnier** (Mission, Castro, downtown)
- **West/Ocean = cooler, foggier** (Sunset, Richmond, Ocean Beach)

## Monthly Weather Breakdown

| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain Days | Notes |
|-------|----------|---------|-----------|-------|
| **Jan** | 56°F/13°C | 46°F/8°C | 10 | Rainy season |
| **Feb** | 59°F/15°C | 48°F/9°C | 9 | Rainy season |
| **Mar** | 61°F/16°C | 49°F/9°C | 8 | Transitioning |
| **Apr** | 63°F/17°C | 50°F/10°C | 4 | Pleasant |
| **May** | 64°F/18°C | 51°F/11°C | 2 | Nice, some fog |
| **Jun** | 66°F/19°C | 53°F/12°C | 1 | FOG BEGINS |
| **Jul** | 66°F/19°C | 54°F/12°C | 0 | Foggy, cool |
| **Aug** | 67°F/19°C | 55°F/13°C | 0 | "Fogust" |
| **Sep** | 70°F/21°C | 55°F/13°C | 1 | **WARMEST** |
| **Oct** | 69°F/21°C | 54°F/12°C | 2 | **Indian summer** |
| **Nov** | 62°F/17°C | 50°F/10°C | 6 | Cooling, rain returns |
| **Dec** | 56°F/13°C | 46°F/8°C | 9 | Rainy season |

## Best Time to Visit

### September - October (Warmest)
- **Pros:** Warmest weather, least fog, sunny
- **Cons:** Wildfire smoke possible (some years)
- **Events:** Fleet Week (Oct), Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

### April - May (Spring)
- **Pros:** Pleasant, not crowded, less rain
- **Cons:** Some fog starting
- **Events:** Cherry blossoms, baseball season starts

### November - December (Winter)
- **Pros:** Holiday lights, fewer tourists, lower prices
- **Cons:** Rainy, shorter days
- **Events:** Holiday markets, tree lighting

### June - August (Summer) — SURPRISE!
- **Warning:** This is NOT warm summer weather
- **Reality:** Heavy fog, cool temperatures, often in 60s
- **"Fogust":** August is often the foggiest month
- Mark Twain (maybe): "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco"

## What to Pack

### Essential (Any Time)
- **Layers** — Temperature swings 20°F in one day
- **Light jacket or sweater** — Even in "summer"
- **Comfortable walking shoes** — Hills are real
- **Wind layer** — Especially near water

### By Season

| Season | Add These |
|--------|-----------|
| **Winter** | Rain jacket, umbrella, warmer layers |
| **Spring** | Light rain layer, sun protection |
| **Summer** | Warm layers (yes, really), fog-appropriate clothes |
| **Fall** | Light layers, sun protection |

### Pro Tip: The Transition
- Morning: Foggy, cool → wear layers
- Midday: Fog burns off, warms up → remove layers
- Evening: Fog returns, cools down → add layers back

## Karl the Fog

SF personified its fog as "Karl" (with his own Twitter account).

### Fog Patterns
- **Marine layer** rolls in from ocean
- Typically arrives late afternoon/evening
- Burns off by mid-morning
- **Summer = more fog** (counterintuitive)

### Where Fog Goes
- Golden Gate is "fog highway" into city
- Sunset/Richmond: First hit, last to clear
- Mission/Castro: Often fog-free even when elsewhere is socked in

## Air Quality Concerns

### Wildfire Season (Aug - Nov)
- Wildfires elsewhere can bring smoke to SF
- Check AirNow.gov for current conditions
- N95 masks help if smoke is bad
- Usually only a few bad days per year

### Regular Air Quality
- Generally good to excellent
- Better than most major US cities
- Ocean breeze helps clear air

## Weather Apps

| App | Best For |
|-----|----------|
| **Weather Underground** | Hyperlocal conditions |
| **Dark Sky (Apple)** | Minute-by-minute precipitation |
| **Windy** | Wind patterns, fog visualization |
| **AirNow** | Air quality, smoke |
| **PurpleAir** | Hyperlocal air quality sensors |

## Practical Implications

### For Activities
- **Morning hikes:** Expect fog, bring layers
- **Beach:** Bring jacket, rarely hot enough for swimwear
- **Picnics:** Mission Dolores = sunny, Ocean Beach = cold
- **Photos of Golden Gate:** Morning fog often obscures it

### For Events
- **Outdoor concerts:** Dress warmly, even in summer
- **Giants games:** Cold at night, bring jacket
- **Outside Lands (Aug):** Notoriously cold and foggy

### For Living
- **AC:** Almost nobody has it (rarely needed)
- **Heat:** Essential in some neighborhoods
- **Sunny apartment:** Premium, especially in foggy areas
- **South-facing windows:** Big deal in SF


path: cost.md
content: # Cost of Living — San Francisco

## Overview

SF is one of the most expensive cities in the US. A "$150K salary here equals ~$80K elsewhere."

### Key Stats
- **#2 most expensive US city** (after NYC)
- **155% higher housing costs** vs national average
- **52% higher overall** vs national average

## Monthly Budget Breakdown

### Single Person: $4,500 - $6,500/month

| Category | Range | Notes |
|----------|-------|-------|
| **Rent (1BR downtown)** | $3,000 - 3,500 | SoMa, Mission, Hayes |
| **Rent (1BR outer)** | $2,400 - 2,800 | Sunset, Richmond |
| **Utilities** | $150 - 255 | PG&E + internet |
| **Groceries** | $400 - 800 | Depends on eating out |
| **Transport** | $81 - 200 | MUNI pass + occasional Uber |
| **Phone** | $50 - 70 | |
| **Health insurance** | $0 - 600 | Employer-provided to self-pay |
| **Entertainment** | $200 - 500 | Dining, drinks, activities |
| **TOTAL** | **$4,280 - 6,525** | |

### Couple (2 People): $6,000 - $8,500/month

| Category | Range |
|----------|-------|
| **Rent (1BR)** | $3,000 - 3,500 |
| **Rent (2BR)** | $3,800 - 4,500 |
| **Utilities** | $180 - 300 |
| **Groceries** | $600 - 1,000 |
| **Transport** | $162 - 350 |
| **Other** | Varies |

### Family of 4: $10,000 - $15,000+/month

| Category | Range |
|----------|-------|
| **Rent (3BR)** | $5,000 - 7,000+ |
| **Childcare** | $2,000 - 4,000 |
| **Groceries** | $1,000 - 1,500 |
| **Other** | Varies significantly |

## Housing Costs (2024-2025)

### Rental Prices by Unit Size

| Type | Downtown/Central | Outer Neighborhoods |
|------|-----------------|-------------------|
| **Studio** | $2,200 - 2,800 | $1,800 - 2,200 |
| **1BR** | $3,000 - 3,500 | $2,400 - 2,800 |
| **2BR** | $3,800 - 4,500 | $3,000 - 3,500 |
| **3BR** | $5,000 - 7,000 | $4,000 - 5,000 |

### By Neighborhood

| Neighborhood | 1BR Range | Notes |
|--------------|-----------|-------|
| **Pacific Heights** | $4,000 - 5,000+ | Most expensive |
| **Marina** | $3,200 - 3,800 | |
| **Hayes Valley** | $3,200 - 4,000 | |
| **Mission** | $3,000 - 3,500 | Sunny premium |
| **Castro** | $2,800 - 3,400 | |
| **North Beach** | $2,800 - 3,400 | |
| **SoMa** | $2,600 - 3,500 | Varies by block |
| **Outer Richmond** | $2,200 - 2,800 | |
| **Outer Sunset** | $2,100 - 2,600 | Cheapest in SF |
| **Daly City** | $1,800 - 2,300 | Outside SF, BART access |

### Buying Property

| Type | Median Price | $/sq ft |
|------|-------------|---------|
| **Condo/TIC** | $1.0 - 1.5M | $900 - 1,200 |
| **Single Family** | $1.5 - 2.5M+ | $1,000 - 1,500 |
| **Property tax** | ~0.65% | Of assessed value |

## Utilities

| Service | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---------|-------------|-------|
| **Electricity + Gas (PG&E)** | $100 - 400 | Heating = higher |
| **Water (SFPUC)** | $50 - 150 | Often included in rent |
| **Trash (Recology)** | $80 - 130 | Sometimes included |
| **Internet** | $60 - 80 | Comcast, Sonic, AT&T |
| **Cell phone** | $50 - 70 | Standard plan |

## Transportation

| Option | Monthly Cost |
|--------|-------------|
| **MUNI pass** | ~$81 |
| **MUNI + BART pass** | ~$98 |
| **Uber/Lyft (moderate use)** | $100 - 300 |
| **Parking (garage)** | $200 - 600 |
| **Car payment + insurance** | $400 - 800 |

**Total car ownership:** $600 - 1,400/month (payment, insurance, gas, parking, maintenance)

**Tip:** Most SF residents don't own cars

## Food & Dining

### Groceries (Monthly)

| Store Type | Budget |
|------------|--------|
| **Budget (TJ's, Grocery Outlet)** | $300 - 400 |
| **Standard (Safeway, Lucky)** | $400 - 600 |
| **Premium (Whole Foods, Bi-Rite)** | $600 - 1,000 |

### Dining Out

| Type | Per Person |
|------|------------|
| **Cheap eats** | $10 - 15 |
| **Casual restaurant** | $20 - 40 |
| **Nice dinner** | $50 - 100 |
| **Fine dining** | $150 - 300+ |
| **Coffee** | $5 - 8 |
| **Beer/drink** | $8 - 15 |

## Health Insurance

### If Employer-Provided
- Usually covered or subsidized
- Family plans: Employer often covers portion

### If Self-Employed/Individual

| Option | Monthly Cost |
|--------|-------------|
| **Covered California (Silver)** | $400 - 800 |
| **Kaiser (HMO)** | $350 - 600 |
| **Catastrophic (young adult)** | $150 - 300 |

### Healthcare Costs
- Doctor visit (with insurance): $20 - 50 copay
- ER visit: $150 - 500 copay
- Prescriptions: Varies widely

## Childcare

| Type | Monthly Cost |
|------|-------------|
| **Daycare (full-time)** | $2,000 - 3,500 |
| **Nanny (full-time)** | $4,000 - 6,000+ |
| **Preschool** | $1,500 - 3,000 |
| **After-school care** | $500 - 1,000 |

**Note:** Childcare waitlists can be 6-12+ months

## Salary Needed to Live Comfortably

### Single Person

| Lifestyle | Gross Annual | After Tax | Notes |
|-----------|-------------|-----------|-------|
| **Survive** | $80K | ~$60K | Roommates, budget tight |
| **Comfortable** | $120K | ~$85K | Own 1BR, save a bit |
| **Very comfortable** | $180K+ | ~$120K | Nice apartment, savings |

### Couple (No Kids)

| Lifestyle | Gross Annual Combined |
|-----------|----------------------|
| **Comfortable** | $180K |
| **Very comfortable** | $250K+ |

### Family of 4

| Lifestyle | Gross Annual |
|-----------|-------------|
| **Comfortable** | $300K+ |
| **Very comfortable** | $400K+ |

## Money-Saving Tips

### Housing
- **Roommates:** Common even for professionals
- **Outer neighborhoods:** 20-30% cheaper
- **Off-season search:** November-February
- **Daly City/Oakland:** Cheaper, BART accessible

### Food
- **Trader Joe's:** Best value groceries
- **Asian markets:** Cheapest produce
- **Cook at home:** $15 meal out = $5 at home
- **Too Good To Go:** $6 bags from restaurants

### Transport
- **Skip the car:** Save $600-1,400/month
- **Clipper card:** Small savings add up
- **Bike:** Free after initial cost

### Entertainment
- **Free museum days:** First Tuesday/Thursday
- **Hiking:** Free, world-class
- **Dolores Park:** Free, great people watching

## Comparison to Other Cities

| City | vs SF Cost |
|------|-----------|
| **NYC** | Similar (slightly less) |
| **Seattle** | 20% less |
| **LA** | 25% less |
| **Austin** | 40% less |
| **Denver** | 35% less |
| **National Average** | 52% less |


path: food-areas.md
content: # Food by Neighborhood — San Francisco

## Mission District

**Known for:** Tacos, burritos, brunch, trendy dinner

| Type | Spots |
|------|-------|
| **Taquerias** | El Farolito, La Taqueria, Taqueria Cancún |
| **Brunch** | Tartine, Foreign Cinema, Craftsman and Wolves |
| **Dinner** | Flour + Water (pasta), Californios ($$$$) |
| **Bars with food** | Trick Dog, ABV |

---

## North Beach

**Known for:** Italian, classic cafés, late night

| Type | Spots |
|------|-------|
| **Italian** | Tony's Pizza, Tosca Café, Original Joe's |
| **Classic** | Caffe Trieste (coffee), Molinari Deli |
| **Late night** | Golden Boy Pizza (by the slice) |

---

## Chinatown

**Known for:** Authentic Chinese, cheap eats

| Type | Spots |
|------|-------|
| **Dim sum** | Good Mong Kok, City View |
| **BBQ** | Great Eastern, R&G Lounge |
| **Quick** | Golden Gate Bakery (egg tarts) |

**Tip:** Ross Alley has hidden gems

---

## Richmond District ("Better Chinatown")

**Known for:** Best Chinese and Asian food in SF

| Type | Spots |
|------|-------|
| **Dim sum** | Hong Kong Lounge, Dragon Beaux |
| **Chinese** | San Tung, Sichuan Home |
| **Other** | Burma Superstar, Chapeau (French) |

---

## Hayes Valley

**Known for:** Trendy, quick bites, dessert

| Type | Spots |
|------|-------|
| **Quick** | Souvla (Greek), Suppenkuche (German) |
| **Nice dinner** | Zuni Café, Rich Table |
| **Dessert** | Smitten Ice Cream, Chantal Guillon (macarons) |

---

## Marina / Cow Hollow

**Known for:** Brunch, upscale casual

| Type | Spots |
|------|-------|
| **Brunch** | Rose's Café, Balboa Café |
| **Dinner** | A16 (Italian), Delarosa |
| **Casual** | Super Duper Burgers |

---

## Sunset

**Known for:** Asian food, chill vibes

| Type | Spots |
|------|-------|
| **Chinese** | San Tung (dry fried wings), Sunset dim sum |
| **Coffee** | Andytown (Snowy Plover) |
| **Casual** | Outerlands |

---

## Waterfront (Views)

| Restaurant | View | Cuisine | Price |
|------------|------|---------|-------|
| **Waterbar** | Bay Bridge | Seafood | $$$ |
| **La Mar** | Ferry Building | Peruvian | $$$ |
| **Hog Island** | Ferry Building | Oysters | $$ |
| **Greens** | Marina/Bridge | Vegetarian | $$$ |


path: food-local.md
content: # SF Local Specialties

## Mission Burritos

**What makes it SF:** Rice inside, giant size, foil-wrapped, meant to be eaten immediately.

| Spot | Location | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| **El Farolito** | 24th & Mission | Late night, cash only, super burrito |
| **La Taqueria** | 25th St | No rice (purist), award-winning |
| **Taqueria Cancún** | Mission | Reliable, good salsa bar |
| **Papalote** | 24th St | Great salsas, slightly upscale |

**Order:** Super burrito (beans, rice, meat, cheese, sour cream, guac)

---

## Seafood

### Cioppino (SF's Signature Stew)
Tomato-based seafood stew, invented by Italian fishermen in SF.

| Restaurant | Price | Notes |
|------------|-------|-------|
| **Tadich Grill** | $$$ | Historic, classic |
| **Sotto Mare** | $$$ | North Beach |
| **Anchor Oyster Bar** | $$$ | Castro |

### Dungeness Crab (Nov-June)

| Spot | Style | Price |
|------|-------|-------|
| **Swan Oyster Depot** | Raw bar counter | $$$ (worth the wait) |
| **Waterbar** | Fine dining | $$$$ |
| **Fisherman's Wharf stands** | Casual | $$ |

---

## Sourdough

SF's sourdough is tangier due to local bacteria. It's actually different here.

| Bakery | Notes |
|--------|-------|
| **Tartine** | Best bread in SF, Mission |
| **Josey Baker** | Whole grain focus |
| **Boudin** | Tourist classic, bread bowls |
| **Acme** | Berkeley, sold everywhere |

---

## Dim Sum

**Skip Chinatown for dim sum** — Richmond District is better.

| Restaurant | Location | Notes |
|------------|----------|-------|
| **Hong Kong Lounge** | Richmond | Excellent, cart service |
| **Dragon Beaux** | Richmond | Modern, upscale |
| **Yank Sing** | Rincon Center | Expensive but reliable |
| **Good Mong Kok** | Chinatown | Budget, authentic |

---

## Irish Coffee

Invented at Buena Vista Café in 1952. The original recipe.

**Where:** Buena Vista Café, Fisherman's Wharf
**Cost:** ~$12
**Note:** It's a tourist thing, but the original is worth trying once

---

## Farmers Markets

| Market | When | Why |
|--------|------|-----|
| **Ferry Building** | Sat 8am-2pm | Best in SF, artisan food |
| **Ferry Building** | Tue/Thu 10am-2pm | Smaller weekday version |
| **Alemany** | Sat 6am-3pm | Cheapest, local produce |
| **Heart of the City** | Wed/Sun | Civic Center, budget |
| **Noe Valley** | Sat 8am-1pm | Small, community |

**Tip:** Ferry Building Saturday is iconic SF experience — go early.


path: food-overview.md
content: # Food Overview — San Francisco

SF pioneered farm-to-table dining. Exceptional for Mission burritos, sourdough, seafood (cioppino, Dungeness crab), and world-class fine dining.

## Iconic SF Foods

| Food | What | Where |
|------|------|-------|
| **Mission Burrito** | Giant, rice inside, foil-wrapped | El Farolito, La Taqueria |
| **Sourdough Bread** | SF's signature tangy bread | Tartine (local), Boudin (tourist) |
| **Cioppino** | Tomato seafood stew, invented here | Tadich Grill, Sotto Mare |
| **Dungeness Crab** | Local crab, season Nov-June | Swan Oyster Depot |
| **Irish Coffee** | Invented at Buena Vista Café | Buena Vista (Wharf) |
| **Dim Sum** | Cantonese small plates | Richmond District |
| **It's-It** | Ice cream + oatmeal cookie | Any grocery |

---

## Restaurants by Budget

### Fine Dining ($$$$)

| Restaurant | Cuisine | Stars | Notes |
|------------|---------|-------|-------|
| **Quince** | Italian | ⭐⭐⭐ | Classic fine dining |
| **Benu** | Korean-American | ⭐⭐⭐ | Innovative |
| **Atelier Crenn** | French | ⭐⭐⭐ | Poetic cuisine |
| **Lazy Bear** | New American | ⭐⭐ | Communal dining |
| **State Bird Provisions** | Californian | ⭐ | Dim sum style |

### Excellent but Accessible ($$$)

| Restaurant | What | Area |
|------------|------|------|
| **Tony's Pizza** | 13x world pizza champ | North Beach |
| **Tadich Grill** | Oldest restaurant in CA (1849) | FiDi |
| **House of Prime Rib** | Classic steakhouse | Polk |
| **Zuni Café** | Famous roast chicken | Hayes Valley |
| **Swan Oyster Depot** | Counter seafood | Polk |

### Casual & Delicious ($$)

| Restaurant | Type | Area |
|------------|------|------|
| **El Farolito** | Mission burritos | Mission |
| **Burma Superstar** | Burmese | Richmond |
| **Dumpling Home** | Dumplings | Hayes |
| **San Tung** | Dry fried wings | Sunset |
| **Tartine** | Best bread in SF | Mission |

### Budget ($)

| Place | What | Price |
|-------|------|-------|
| **Saigon Sandwich** | Bánh mì | $5 |
| **Golden Boy Pizza** | Square slices | $4-5 |
| **Chinatown rice plates** | Full meal | $8-10 |
| **Tu Lan** | Vietnamese | $10-12 |

---

## Quick Reference

| Situation | Go To |
|-----------|-------|
| Impressing someone | Lazy Bear, Zuni Café |
| Cheap & delicious | El Farolito, Saigon Sandwich |
| Classic SF | Tadich Grill, cioppino |
| Date night | Flour + Water, Foreign Cinema |
| Brunch | Tartine, Plow |

## Detailed Guides

| Topic | File |
|-------|------|
| SF specialties | `food-local.md` |
| By neighborhood | `food-areas.md` |
| Coffee, dietary, tips | `food-practical.md` |


path: food-practical.md
content: # Food Practical Guide — San Francisco

## Coffee Culture

SF is a third-wave coffee capital.

### Local Roasters

| Roaster | Flagship | Notes |
|---------|----------|-------|
| **Sightglass** | SoMa | Industrial space |
| **Four Barrel** | Mission | Hipster classic |
| **Ritual** | Mission | OG third wave |
| **Blue Bottle** | Multiple | Started in Oakland |
| **Equator** | Fort Mason | Best views |
| **Andytown** | Sunset | Snowy Plover (Irish coffee riff) |

### Classic Spots
- **Caffe Trieste** — North Beach institution
- **Philz** — SF-born, personalized
- **Peet's** — Bay Area original

---

## Dietary Needs

### Vegetarian/Vegan

| Restaurant | Type | Location |
|------------|------|----------|
| **Greens** | Classic vegetarian | Marina |
| **Gracias Madre** | Vegan Mexican | Mission |
| **Shizen** | Vegan sushi | Mission |
| **Wildseed** | Plant-based | Union Square |

### Gluten-Free
- **Mariposa Baking** — Dedicated GF bakery
- **Pica Pica** — GF Venezuelan
- Most nice restaurants accommodate

---

## Reservations

### Hard-to-Book
- **State Bird Provisions** — Book exactly 60 days out
- **Lazy Bear** — Tickets sell out fast
- **House of Prime Rib** — Call ahead
- **Swan Oyster Depot** — No reservations, arrive early

### Apps
- **Resy** — Most upscale restaurants
- **OpenTable** — Broader coverage
- **Tock** — Tasting menus

---

## Delivery

| App | Notes |
|-----|-------|
| **DoorDash** | Best coverage, SF-founded |
| **Uber Eats** | Good |
| **Caviar** | Upscale options |

**Tip:** Prices 20-30% higher on apps. Pickup saves money.

---

## Tipping

| Where | How Much |
|-------|----------|
| **Restaurants** | 18-20% |
| **Fine dining** | 20-22% |
| **Counter service** | $1-2 or 10% |

---

## Money-Saving

| Tip | Details |
|-----|---------|
| **Mission burritos** | $12-15 for huge meal |
| **Chinatown** | $8-12 lunches |
| **Farmers markets** | Good lunch options |
| **Happy hours** | Many restaurants 4-6pm |
| **Lunch specials** | Fine dining often has cheaper lunch |
| **Grocery stores** | Trader Joe's prepared foods |

---

## Best Times

| When | Why |
|------|-----|
| **Sat AM** | Ferry Building farmers market |
| **Lunch** | Many restaurants have deals |
| **5-6pm** | Happy hours |
| **Weekdays** | Easier reservations |


path: local.md
content: # Local Resident Guide — San Francisco Daily Life

## Municipal Services

### DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
- **SF Office:** 1377 Fell St, San Francisco
- **Appointments:** dmv.ca.gov/portal/appointments
- **Services:** REAL ID, license renewal, vehicle registration
- **Tip:** Book 2-3 weeks ahead, appointments fill fast
- **REAL ID:** Required for domestic flights from May 2025

### SF311 — Report City Problems
- **App:** SF311 (iOS/Android) or call 311
- **Report:** Potholes, graffiti, trash, fallen trees, encampments
- **Alternative app:** Solve SF (community-driven, faster)
- **Tip:** Include photo + GPS for faster response

### Permit Center
- **Location:** 49 South Van Ness Ave, 2nd Floor
- **Phone:** (415) 831-5500
- **Types:** Construction, events, business, parklets
- **Website:** sf.gov/topic-permitting

## Utilities

| Service | Provider | Portal | Monthly Cost |
|---------|----------|--------|--------------|
| Electricity/Gas | PG&E | pge.com | $100-400 |
| Water/Sewer | SFPUC | sfpuc.gov | $50-150 |
| Trash/Recycling | Recology | recology.com | $80-130 |

### Notes
- **SFPUC Discount:** 25-40% off for low-income households
- **Recology:** Auto-configured by address, no activation needed
- **PG&E:** Can take 1-2 weeks to set up, apply before move-in

## Taxes

### California State Income Tax
- **Brackets:** 1% to 12.3% (progressive, 9 brackets)
- **Top bracket:** 12.3% for income >$677,275 (single)
- **Mental Health Surcharge:** +1% for income >$1M

### San Francisco Specific
- **Local income tax:** 0% (no city income tax)
- **Sales tax:** 8.625% (state + county + district)
- **Property tax (effective):** ~0.65% of assessed value
- **Example:** $1.35M home = ~$8,775/year property tax

### Key Dates
- **Federal + State deadline:** April 15
- **CA extension:** Automatic 6 months (but pay estimated tax)
- **Website:** ftb.ca.gov (Franchise Tax Board)

## Voting & Civic Participation

### Voter Registration
- **Online:** registertovote.ca.gov
- **In person:** City Hall, Room 48 (until Election Day)
- **Requirements:** 18+, US citizen, CA resident

### Ways to Vote
- **Vote-by-mail:** Automatic for all registered voters
- **In person:** City Hall Voting Center or local polling places
- **Track ballot:** WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov

### Department of Elections
- **Location:** 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall Room 48
- **Website:** sfelections.sfgov.org
- **Languages:** English, Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, more

### Local Participation
- **Board of Supervisors:** 11 districts, public meetings
- **SF Ballot Measures:** Many local propositions each election
- **Planning Commission:** Comment on development projects

## Shopping — Local Favorites

### Budget-Friendly Groceries

| Store | Specialty | Locations |
|-------|-----------|-----------|
| **Trader Joe's** | Own-brand products, cheap wine | Multiple |
| **Grocery Outlet** | Surplus discounts | Multiple |
| **Lucky** | Competitive prices | Various |
| **Smart & Final** | Bulk buying | Various |

### Asian Markets (Best Produce Prices)
- **99 Ranch** — Daly City (near SF)
- **Sunset Supermarket** — Sunset/Richmond
- **May Wah** — Richmond District
- **H-Mart** — Premium quality, higher prices
- **Pacific Supermarket** — Competitive

### Premium/Specialty
- **Rainbow Grocery** (Mission) — Co-op, best bulk section in SF
- **Whole Foods** — Multiple, expensive but quality
- **Gus's Community Market** — Local, has Philz Coffee inside
- **Other Avenues** (Sunset) — Co-op, good bulk

### Farmers Markets
- **Ferry Building** — Saturdays, largest
- **Fort Mason** — Sundays
- **Clement Street** — Sundays, more local
- **Castro** — Wednesdays

### Money-Saving Apps
- **Too Good To Go** — $6 food rescue bags (Whole Foods, bakeries)
- **Flashfood** — Deals at Lucky stores
- **Instacart** — Price compare delivery

## Local Services

### Recommended Providers

| Service | Provider | Notes |
|---------|----------|-------|
| **Internet** | Sonic (local), Comcast, AT&T | Sonic has best reputation |
| **Phone** | Mint Mobile, Visible | Budget options work fine |
| **Laundry** | Rinse | Pickup/delivery |
| **Cleaning** | Handy, Taskrabbit | On-demand |
| **Handyman** | Taskrabbit | Reliable |

### Finding Contractors
- **Yelp** — Reviews for plumbers, electricians
- **Nextdoor** — Neighborhood recommendations
- **Taskrabbit** — Smaller jobs
- **Thumbtack** — Compare quotes

## Weekend Activities (What Locals Actually Do)

### Free/Cheap
- **Dolores Park** — Sunny days, bring blanket
- **Golden Gate Park** — Picnic, bike, museums (free days)
- **Ocean Beach** — Bonfires (cold, bring layers)
- **Hiking:** Lands End, Twin Peaks, Bernal Hill
- **Ferry Building** — Saturday farmers market

### Cultural
- **De Young Museum** — Free first Tuesday
- **SFMOMA** — Free first Thursday (with reservation)
- **Free concerts** — Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (October)
- **Movie nights:** Fort Mason, Dolores Park (summer)

### Sports
- **Giants games** — Oracle Park (cheap tickets available)
- **Warriors** — Chase Center (expensive)
- **Pickup basketball** — Mission Playground, Potrero
- **Running:** Marina Green, Crissy Field, Embarcadero

## Current City Issues (Honest Assessment)

### Homelessness
- Concentrated in Tenderloin, parts of SoMa, Civic Center
- Visible but generally not dangerous
- City services: 311 for encampment reports

### Car Break-Ins
- **Never leave anything visible** — Even empty bags get windows smashed
- Worst areas: tourist spots, Embarcadero, downtown
- Consider garages over street parking

### Drug Activity
- Open drug use in Tenderloin, Civic Center
- Less visible in residential neighborhoods
- Avoid these areas late at night

### What's Getting Better
- Some downtown streets recovering
- New businesses opening in Mission Bay
- AI industry bringing energy back

### What's Still Hard
- Office vacancy still high
- Retail closures in some areas
- High cost of living unchanged


path: neighborhoods-central.md
content: # Central SF Neighborhoods

## Hayes Valley

**Best for:** Trendy urbanites, shoppers, central location

**Character:** Boutique shopping, hip restaurants, near Opera House. Central and walkable.

| Rent | 1BR: $3,200-4,000 | 2BR: $4,500-6,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Central, trendy, great food/shopping, safe
**Cons:** Expensive, small area, near Tenderloin edge

**Transit:** MUNI Metro, buses (excellent)
**Must-do:** Patricia's Green, Smitten Ice Cream, boutique shopping

---

## SoMa (South of Market)

**Best for:** Tech workers, loft living, urban convenience

**Character:** Former industrial, now tech offices and modern condos. Very mixed — nice blocks next to rough ones.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,600-3,500 | 2BR: $3,800-5,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Close to downtown, modern buildings, tech shuttle access
**Cons:** Safety varies by block, some drug activity, less character

**Transit:** BART, MUNI (excellent)
**Warning:** Research specific blocks before renting

---

## Nob Hill

**Best for:** Classic SF experience, views, history

**Character:** Historic elegance, cable cars, grand hotels. Steep hills but beautiful.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,800-3,500 | 2BR: $4,000-5,500 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Beautiful, central, historic, safe
**Cons:** Very hilly, parking impossible, expensive

**Transit:** Cable cars, buses
**Must-do:** Grace Cathedral, Top of the Mark views

---

## Russian Hill

**Best for:** Views, quiet central living

**Character:** Residential, famous for Lombard Street (crooked street). Great views, quiet.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,800-3,400 | 2BR: $4,000-5,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Views, safe, walkable to North Beach
**Cons:** Very hilly, limited dining options

**Transit:** Cable cars, buses
**Must-do:** Lombard Street views (from below), Ina Coolbrith Park


path: neighborhoods-index.md
content: # Neighborhood Quick Reference — San Francisco

## Comparison Table

| Neighborhood | Vibe | 1BR Rent | Safety | Transit | Weather |
|--------------|------|----------|--------|---------|---------|
| **Mission** | Vibrant, diverse, nightlife | $3,000-3,500 | Medium | A | Sunniest |
| **Marina** | Athletic, young professionals | $3,200-3,800 | High | B | Moderate |
| **Hayes Valley** | Trendy, boutiques | $3,200-4,000 | High | A | Moderate |
| **Castro** | LGBTQ+, historic | $2,800-3,400 | High | A | Sunny |
| **Noe Valley** | Families, quiet | $3,500-4,500 | High | B | Sunny |
| **Pacific Heights** | Wealthy, mansions | $4,000-5,000+ | Very High | C | Moderate |
| **North Beach** | Italian, cafés | $2,800-3,400 | High | B | Moderate |
| **SoMa** | Tech, lofts | $2,600-3,500 | Low-Medium | A | Variable |
| **Outer Richmond** | Asian, quiet | $2,200-2,800 | High | B | Foggy |
| **Outer Sunset** | Beach, surfers | $2,100-2,600 | High | B | Very Foggy |
| **Tenderloin** | AVOID | - | Very Low | A | - |

## By Profile

| Looking For | Best Areas |
|-------------|------------|
| **Nightlife + food** | Mission |
| **Athletic + social** | Marina |
| **Trendy + central** | Hayes Valley |
| **LGBTQ+ community** | Castro |
| **Families** | Noe Valley, Cole Valley |
| **Budget** | Outer Sunset, Richmond |
| **Tech workers** | SoMa, Mission |
| **Luxury** | Pacific Heights |

## Areas to AVOID

| Area | Why |
|------|-----|
| **Tenderloin** | High crime, drugs, homeless |
| **Civic Center** | Similar issues |
| **6th-8th St SoMa** | Drug activity |
| **Hunters Point** | Higher crime |

## Detailed Profiles

| Area Type | File |
|-----------|------|
| Central neighborhoods | `neighborhoods-central.md` |
| South/Mission area | `neighborhoods-south.md` |
| North/Marina area | `neighborhoods-north.md` |
| Outer/Quiet areas | `neighborhoods-outer.md` |


path: neighborhoods-north.md
content: # North SF Neighborhoods

## Marina District

**Best for:** Athletic types, young professionals, dating scene

**Character:** Upscale waterfront living. Running paths, Crissy Field, restaurants. "Bro" culture reputation.

| Rent | 1BR: $3,200-3,800 | 2BR: $4,500-6,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Beautiful, safe, waterfront access, good restaurants
**Cons:** Far from downtown, limited nightlife, parking difficult

**Transit:** Bus lines (no BART nearby)
**Must-do:** Crissy Field walks, Palace of Fine Arts, Chestnut Street dining

---

## Pacific Heights

**Best for:** Wealthy residents, families, views

**Character:** SF's most expensive neighborhood. Mansions, incredible views, old money.

| Rent | 1BR: $4,000-5,000+ | 2BR: $6,000-8,000+ |
|------|---------------------|---------------------|

**Pros:** Ultra-safe, beautiful architecture, amazing views
**Cons:** Very expensive, car recommended, quiet

**Transit:** Bus lines, far from BART
**Must-do:** Lyon Street Steps, Fillmore Street shopping, mansion-spotting

---

## North Beach

**Best for:** History lovers, Italian food, nightlife

**Character:** "Little Italy" — historic Italian neighborhood. Cafés, bars, Beat Generation history.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,800-3,400 | 2BR: $3,800-5,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Character, great food, walkable, central
**Cons:** Steep hills, tourist adjacent, parking impossible

**Transit:** Buses, cable car nearby
**Must-do:** City Lights Bookstore, Caffe Trieste, Tony's Pizza

---

## Cow Hollow

**Best for:** Young professionals, dining, shopping

**Character:** Between Marina and Pacific Heights. Union Street shops and restaurants.

| Rent | 1BR: $3,000-3,600 | 2BR: $4,200-5,500 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Great dining, safe, walkable
**Cons:** Expensive, limited transit

**Transit:** Buses
**Must-do:** Union Street shopping, brunch spots

---

## Presidio

**Best for:** Nature lovers, families, quiet seekers

**Character:** Former military base, now national park. Forest trails, beaches, quiet.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,500-3,200 | 2BR: $3,500-4,500 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Nature, safe, unique setting, near bridge
**Cons:** Far from everything, car needed

**Transit:** PresidiGo shuttle, buses
**Must-do:** Crissy Field, Presidio trails, Walt Disney Museum


path: neighborhoods-outer.md
content: # Outer SF Neighborhoods

## Outer Richmond

**Best for:** Families, Asian food lovers, budget-conscious

**Character:** Diverse, residential, excellent Asian restaurants. Near Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,200-2,800 | 2BR: $3,000-3,800 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Affordable, safe, great food, near park
**Cons:** Foggy, far from downtown, quieter

**Transit:** Buses, far from BART
**Must-do:** Clement Street restaurants, dim sum, Land's End hike

---

## Outer Sunset

**Best for:** Surfers, beach lovers, budget-conscious

**Character:** Beach town vibe within SF. Laid-back, residential, excellent Asian food.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,100-2,600 | 2BR: $2,800-3,500 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Most affordable, safe, beach access, chill vibe
**Cons:** Very foggy, far from everything, quiet

**Transit:** N-Judah MUNI, buses
**Must-do:** Ocean Beach sunset, Irving Street restaurants, Andytown Coffee

---

## Inner Richmond

**Best for:** Foodies, park lovers, balance of price/location

**Character:** Excellent restaurants, close to Golden Gate Park. Better transit than outer.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,400-3,000 | 2BR: $3,200-4,200 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Great food, park access, safer than downtown
**Cons:** Foggy, limited nightlife

**Transit:** Buses, closer to downtown than outer
**Must-do:** Burma Superstar, Geary Street restaurants

---

## Inner Sunset

**Best for:** Students (near UCSF), park access, quieter living

**Character:** College town vibe, near Golden Gate Park and UCSF. Good food, quiet.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,300-2,900 | 2BR: $3,000-4,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Near park, good food, safe, student vibe
**Cons:** Foggy, limited nightlife

**Transit:** N-Judah MUNI
**Must-do:** 9th & Irving restaurants, Golden Gate Park

---

## Cole Valley

**Best for:** Families, park lovers, village feel

**Character:** Small, charming neighborhood near Haight and Golden Gate Park. Village atmosphere.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,800-3,400 | 2BR: $3,800-5,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Near park, safe, community feel, sunny (relative)
**Cons:** Small, limited options, quiet

**Transit:** N-Judah MUNI
**Must-do:** Cole Street shops, Tank Hill views


path: neighborhoods-south.md
content: # South SF Neighborhoods

## Mission District

**Best for:** Young professionals, nightlife, food lovers

**Character:** Vibrant Latino culture mixed with tech gentrification. Best Mexican food in SF. Street art, murals, trendy bars.

| Rent | 1BR: $3,000-3,500 | 2BR: $4,000-5,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Sunniest neighborhood, amazing food, nightlife, walkable
**Cons:** Gentrifying, some homeless presence, car break-ins

**Transit:** BART (16th & 24th St), MUNI buses
**Must-do:** Dolores Park, Valencia Street, taquerias, Balmy Alley murals

---

## Castro

**Best for:** LGBTQ+ community, history buffs, community-oriented

**Character:** Historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood, rainbow crosswalks, strong community. Active nightlife.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,800-3,400 | 2BR: $3,800-4,800 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Safe, sunny, strong community, good transit
**Cons:** Hilly, parking tough, some tourist crowds

**Transit:** MUNI Metro (Castro Station)
**Must-do:** Castro Theatre, Twin Peaks views, Harvey Milk Plaza

---

## Noe Valley

**Best for:** Families, quiet living, stroller-friendly

**Character:** Suburban feel in the city. Quiet streets, boutique shops, families everywhere.

| Rent | 1BR: $3,500-4,500 | 2BR: $5,000-6,500 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Very safe, quiet, sunny, family-friendly
**Cons:** Expensive, quiet (boring for some), limited nightlife

**Transit:** J-Church MUNI, buses
**Must-do:** 24th Street shopping, Noe Valley Farmers Market

---

## Bernal Heights

**Best for:** Families on budget, community feel, dog owners

**Character:** Village feel, diverse, family-oriented. Hilltop park with 360° views.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,600-3,200 | 2BR: $3,500-4,500 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** More affordable, safe, community-oriented, great views
**Cons:** Fewer restaurants, further from downtown

**Transit:** Buses, BART (24th St walk)
**Must-do:** Bernal Heights Park summit, Cortland Avenue shops

---

## Potrero Hill

**Best for:** Tech workers, sunny weather lovers, dog owners

**Character:** Sunny, residential, near Mission Bay tech campuses. Good views, quiet.

| Rent | 1BR: $2,800-3,400 | 2BR: $3,800-5,000 |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|

**Pros:** Sunniest in SF, safe, near tech offices, views
**Cons:** Hilly, limited nightlife, fewer restaurants

**Transit:** Buses, MUNI T-line
**Must-do:** 18th Street restaurants, McKinley Square views


path: resident.md
content: # New Resident Guide — Moving to San Francisco

## First Month Timeline

**Weeks 1-2 (Before arrival):**
- Start apartment search online (market moves fast)
- Prepare documents: pay stubs, credit report, bank statements, ID
- Research neighborhoods matching your commute

**Week 2-3 (Upon arrival):**
- Stay in temporary housing (Airbnb, hotel)
- View apartments in person (essential in SF)
- Open bank account (need address, even temporary)
- Get local phone number

**Week 3-4 (Once housed):**
- Set up utilities (PG&E, Recology)
- Apply for SSN if needed
- DMV appointment for California license
- Register to vote

## Documentation Required

### Social Security Number (SSN)
- **Apply:** In person at nearest Social Security office
- **Bring:** Passport + visa/I-94 + proof of address
- **Timeline:** 2-4 weeks to receive card
- **Note:** Some services accept "ineligibility letter" if you don't qualify

### California Driver's License
- **Requirement:** Must obtain within 10 days of establishing residency
- **Documents needed:**
  - Passport + visa/I-94
  - SSN or ineligibility letter
  - CA residency proof: lease, utility bill, bank statement
- **Process:** Written test → Permit → Driving test → License
- **Tip:** Written test available in Spanish
- **Cost:** ~$38

### REAL ID vs Standard License
- REAL ID required for domestic flights from May 2025
- Requires additional documents (birth certificate, etc.)
- Standard license: driving only

## Finding an Apartment

### Timing
- Listings appear **max 30 days** before availability
- Best strategy: arrive **2-4 weeks early** to search in person
- **Winter (Nov-Feb):** Less competition, better prices
- **Summer:** Higher demand, higher prices

### Platforms (in order of reliability)
1. **Zillow** — Most complete, real-time alerts, fewer scams
2. **Craigslist** — More small landlord listings, BUT many scams
3. **Apartments.com** — Paid listings = fewer scams
4. **HotPads** — Good interface, owned by Zillow
5. **Facebook Groups** — Roommates and subleases
6. **Walking neighborhoods** — Many listings only have "For Rent" signs

### Application Documents (Have Ready)
- Proof of income: **3x monthly rent** (offer letter, pay stubs)
- Credit report or score
- Bank statements (3 months)
- References (previous landlords)
- Photo ID
- **Be ready to apply same day** — Competition is fierce

### Scam Warning Signs
- Below-market rent for area
- Request for wire transfer
- Can't view in person
- Listing "too good" for location
- Pressure to send money fast

## Cost of Living (Monthly)

### Single Person: $4,500-5,500/month

| Category | Monthly Cost |
|----------|-------------|
| Rent (1BR downtown) | $3,000-3,500 |
| Rent (1BR outer neighborhoods) | $2,400-2,800 |
| Utilities (PG&E) | $150-255 |
| Internet | $65-80 |
| Groceries | $400-800 |
| Transport (Clipper pass) | $81-98 |
| Phone | $50-70 |
| **Total (without extras)** | **$4,200-5,300** |

### Additional Costs
- Health insurance: $300-600 (if not employer-provided)
- Parking (if you have a car): $200-400/month
- Dining out: $15-25 per casual meal
- Coffee: $5-8 average, some up to $16

## Neighborhood Guide for New Residents

### Young Professionals (20s-30s)
| Neighborhood | Character | 1BR Rent | Notes |
|--------------|-----------|----------|-------|
| **Mission** | Vibrant, nightlife, food, art, sunny | $3,000-3,500 | Best weather in SF |
| **Marina** | Athletic, waterfront, bars | $3,200-3,800 | "Bro" culture |
| **Hayes Valley** | Trendy, boutiques, central | $3,200-4,000 | Walkable |
| **North Beach** | Historic, cafés, Italian | $2,800-3,400 | Hills |

### Families
| Neighborhood | Character | Notes |
|--------------|-----------|-------|
| **Noe Valley** | Family-friendly, parks, quiet | $4,500+/2BR |
| **Cole Valley** | Near Golden Gate Park | Spacious homes |
| **Bernal Heights** | Bohemian, strong community | More affordable |

### Budget-Conscious
| Neighborhood | Character | 1BR Rent |
|--------------|-----------|----------|
| **Outer Richmond** | Ocean-adjacent, multicultural | $2,200-2,800 |
| **Outer Sunset** | Foggy but peaceful, surfers | $2,100-2,600 |
| **Daly City** | Technically not SF, BART accessible | $1,800-2,300 |

### Avoid
- **Tenderloin** — High crime, drugs, homelessness
- **Civic Center** — Similar to Tenderloin
- **Parts of SoMa** — Property crime, drug activity
- **Hunters Point** — Crime + environmental issues

## Setting Up Utilities

### PG&E (Electricity & Gas)
- **Website:** pge.com
- **Cost:** $100-400/month depending on usage and heating
- **Tip:** Apply before move-in date

### SFPUC (Water)
- **Website:** sfpuc.gov
- **Usually:** Included in rent or billed through landlord

### Recology (Trash & Recycling)
- **Note:** Already configured by address, automatic
- **Bins:** Black (trash), blue (recycling), green (compost)

### Internet Options
- **Comcast/Xfinity:** Most common, $60-80/month
- **AT&T Fiber:** Where available, competitive
- **Webpass/Google Fiber:** Some buildings
- **Sonic:** Local alternative, good reputation

## Banking

### Recommended Banks
- **Chase** — Largest ATM network in SF
- **Wells Fargo** — Also extensive network
- **Bank of America** — Good for new residents
- **SF Federal Credit Union** — Local option, better rates

### Opening an Account
- Need: Government ID + proof of address (even temporary)
- Can use hotel/Airbnb address initially
- Chase and BoA are most flexible for new residents

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. **Renting sight unseen** — Always view in person
2. **Underestimating costs** — Budget $5K+/month to be safe
3. **Bringing a car immediately** — Transit is often better
4. **Not checking Tenderloin proximity** — Many "downtown" listings border it
5. **Waiting on apartment applications** — Submit same day or lose it
6. **Expecting warm summers** — Bring layers, fog is real
7. **Skipping renter's insurance** — Cheap and essential (~$15/month)


path: safety.md
content: # Safety Guide — San Francisco (Honest Assessment)

## Overview

SF has real safety concerns, but they're **concentrated in specific areas**. Most neighborhoods are quite safe. The key is knowing where to avoid.

## Areas to Avoid

### Tenderloin (Avoid Completely)
**Boundaries:** Market St (south), Geary St (north), Van Ness (west), Mason St (east)

- Open drug use and dealing
- Significant homelessness
- Property crime
- **Day:** Uncomfortable, keep moving
- **Night:** Avoid entirely
- **Exception:** A few good restaurants (Lers Ros, Brenda's) — Uber directly there

### Civic Center / Mid-Market
- Similar issues to Tenderloin
- Area around City Hall/UN Plaza
- BART Civic Center station can be rough
- Tech companies have offices here but street level is challenging

### Parts of SoMa (6th-8th Street Corridor)
- Drug activity, property crime
- Mixed area — research specific blocks
- Generally safer north of Market, sketchier south
- Car break-ins very common

### Hunters Point / Bayview
- Higher violent crime rates
- Environmental contamination concerns
- Far from central SF
- Gentrifying slowly but still rough in parts

## Safety by Activity

### Walking

| Time | Safe Areas | Caution Areas | Avoid |
|------|------------|---------------|-------|
| **Day** | Most neighborhoods | SoMa (vary by block) | Tenderloin |
| **Night** | Marina, Noe, Pac Heights, Castro | Mission (main streets OK) | Tenderloin, Civic Center |
| **Late night** | Uber recommended | Most areas | All above + empty streets |

### Public Transit
- **Generally safe** during day and commute hours
- **BART:** Civic Center and Powell stations can be sketchy
- **MUNI:** Usually fine, occasional issues
- **Late night:** More incidents, consider Uber
- **Keep valuables hidden:** Phone snatching does happen

### Driving
- **Car break-ins:** SF's biggest crime issue
- **Never leave anything visible** — even empty bags
- **Worst areas:** Fisherman's Wharf, Embarcadero, downtown, tourist spots
- **Tips:**
  - Leave glove box open (shows empty)
  - Empty trunk BEFORE arriving (thieves watch)
  - Use garages when possible

## Crime Statistics (Context)

### Property Crime
- **Very high** — one of highest rates in US
- Car break-ins, package theft, bike theft
- Downtown and tourist areas worst
- Residential areas generally better

### Violent Crime
- **Lower than perception** suggests
- Concentrated in specific neighborhoods
- Random violence against tourists is rare
- Most incidents involve people who know each other

### What's Improving (2024-2025)
- Some downtown areas recovering
- Increased police presence in tourist spots
- New businesses opening in some areas

### What's Still Problematic
- Open drug use in Tenderloin
- Car break-ins citywide
- Some retail closures due to theft

## Homelessness (What to Expect)

### Reality
- Very visible in certain areas
- Most homeless people are not dangerous
- Mental health and drug issues affect some
- Concentrated in: Tenderloin, Civic Center, parts of SoMa, some parks

### How to Handle
- **Generally:** Walk past, don't engage if uncomfortable
- **Aggressive panhandling:** Rare, just keep walking
- **Encampments:** Don't walk through, go around
- **If someone seems in crisis:** Call 311 or 911 if emergency

## Specific Safety Tips

### For Tourists
1. Don't leave anything in rental car — seriously, nothing
2. Stay aware in crowded tourist areas (pickpockets)
3. Avoid Tenderloin, even for "shortcut"
4. Keep phone secure on transit
5. Union Square is fine during day, more careful at night

### For New Residents
1. Research exact block before renting
2. Visit neighborhood at night before signing lease
3. Get renter's insurance (cheap, essential)
4. Secure bike properly (U-lock through frame)
5. Package theft is real — use Amazon locker or work address

### For Tech Workers
1. Don't flash expensive items
2. Laptop theft in cafes happens — stay alert
3. Late night Uber > walking from SoMa office
4. Company shuttles are safe

## Emergency Numbers

| Service | Number |
|---------|--------|
| **Emergency** | 911 |
| **Non-emergency police** | 415-553-0123 |
| **City services (311)** | 311 |
| **Poison control** | 1-800-222-1222 |

## Earthquake Preparedness

### The Basics
- SF sits on San Andreas fault — quakes will happen
- Buildings are generally well-constructed
- Most quakes are small and barely noticed

### What to Have
- 3 days water (1 gallon/person/day)
- Non-perishable food
- Flashlight, batteries
- First aid kit
- Cash (ATMs may not work)
- Phone charger (battery pack)

### During a Quake
- **Inside:** Drop, cover, hold on
- **Outside:** Move away from buildings, power lines
- **After:** Expect aftershocks, check for damage
- **Don't use elevators**

### Apps
- **SF72** — City's emergency preparedness
- **MyShake** — Earthquake early warning

## The Honest Summary

**SF is safe for most people in most places.** The problems are real but concentrated:

- **Tenderloin/Civic Center:** Avoid
- **Car break-ins:** Never leave anything visible, anywhere
- **Late night:** Use Uber in unfamiliar areas
- **Most neighborhoods:** Quite safe, normal city awareness

Don't let fear stop you from enjoying the city, but also don't be naive about the real issues in specific areas.


path: startup.md
content: # Startup Founder Guide — San Francisco

## Accelerators & Investment Programs

### Tier 1 (Top Programs)

| Program | Investment | Equity | Duration | Focus |
|---------|-----------|--------|----------|-------|
| **Y Combinator** | $500K ($125K + $375K SAFE) | 7% | 3 months | Generalist, 200+ startups/batch |
| **Sequoia Arc** | $500K-$1M | Variable | Varies | Seed, technical teams |
| **a16z Speedrun** | $500K-$1M | 7-10% | Intensive | AI, gaming, cultural products |
| **HF0 Residency** | $1M SAFE | 5% | 12 weeks | Live-in, technical founders |
| **South Park Commons** | $400K + $600K follow-on | 7% | Fellowship | Pre-idea exploration |

### Tier 2 (Excellent Alternatives)

| Program | Investment | Equity | Focus |
|---------|-----------|--------|-------|
| **PearX** | $250K-$2M | ~10% | AI, SaaS, Climate |
| **Neo** | $600K SAFE | 1.5-5% | Young technical founders |
| **AI Grant** | $250K SAFE | - | AI-native products |
| **500 Global** | $150K | 6% | Global, post-MVP |
| **Techstars SF** | $120K ($20K + $100K note) | 6% | 13 weeks, mentor network |
| **Berkeley SkyDeck** | $200K | 5-7.5% | UC Berkeley affiliated |
| **Alchemist** | $25-36K | 5% | Enterprise/B2B |
| **HAX** | $250K | 9% | Hardware, deep tech |

## Venture Capital Landscape

### Tier 1 VCs (The Giants)

| Firm | AUM | Notable Investments |
|------|-----|---------------------|
| **Sequoia Capital** | $56B | Apple, Google, Airbnb, DoorDash |
| **Andreessen Horowitz** | $35B+ | Facebook, Airbnb, Coinbase |
| **Benchmark** | $3B+ | Uber, Snapchat, Twitter |
| **Greylock Partners** | $3.5B+ | LinkedIn, Figma, Discord |
| **Founders Fund** | $11B | SpaceX, Palantir, Stripe |

### Active at Seed/Series A

- Bessemer Venture Partners
- Index Ventures
- Lightspeed Venture Partners
- Accel
- Kleiner Perkins
- General Catalyst
- First Round Capital
- Khosla Ventures
- Redpoint Ventures

### Funding Statistics (2024-2025)

- **Bay Area VC:** ~$90B invested in 2024 (57% of US total)
- **Q1 2025:** $55B invested (~50% of global VC)
- **Recent mega-rounds:** OpenAI ($40B), xAI ($6B), Databricks ($10B)

## Coworking & Office Space

### Recommended Spaces

| Space | Location | Price Range | Best For |
|-------|----------|-------------|----------|
| **House of AI** | SoMa | Premium | AI startups |
| **Industrious** | 945 Market | $$$ | YC companies, professional |
| **Galvanize** | SoMa | $$ | 5 floors, rooftop |
| **SHACK15** | Ferry Building | $$$ | Views, networking |
| **AvantSpace** | Marina | $$ | Boutique, team suites |
| **WeWork** | Multiple | $$ | Flexible terms |

### Office Costs

- **Average rent:** $66/sq ft/year (2024)
- **Class A space:** $72/sq ft/year
- **1,000 sq ft office:** $5,400-7,500/month
- **Comparison:** LA ~40% cheaper, Austin ~60% cheaper

### Hacker Houses (Live + Work)

| House | Focus | Notes |
|-------|-------|-------|
| **HF0** | Technical founders | $1M investment included |
| **Treehouse Mansion** | Climate tech | Founder community |
| **Arcadia House** | General | Community focused |
| **The Residency** | General | 6 months, rent only |

## Networking with Investors

### Regular Events

- **AGI House** — Saturday hackathons, top-tier speakers
- **Founders Village Tech Weekend** — Direct VC access
- **Cerebral Valley** — AI event calendar (cerebralvalley.ai)
- **Luma (lu.ma)** — Community event platform

### Founder Communities

- **Founders Network** — Membership, mentoring
- **Founders Running Club** — Weekly runs, organic networking
- **On Deck** — Fellowship program
- **Product Hunt** — Launch community

### Key Events Calendar

| Event | Timing | Type |
|-------|--------|------|
| **YC Demo Day** | March, September | Batch presentations |
| **TechCrunch Disrupt** | October | Conference + Startup Battlefield |
| **SaaStr Annual** | May | B2B SaaS conference |
| **Startup Grind Global** | April | Founder conference |

## Startup Costs in SF

### Monthly Burn Estimates

| Stage | Team Size | Monthly Burn |
|-------|-----------|--------------|
| **Pre-seed** | 2 founders | $15-25K |
| **Seed** | 5-8 people | $80-150K |
| **Series A** | 15-25 people | $250-500K |

### Cost Breakdown (Pre-seed)

| Category | Monthly Cost |
|----------|-------------|
| Coworking (2 desks) | $800-1,500 |
| Founder salaries (minimal) | $0-10,000 |
| Cloud/infra | $200-2,000 |
| Legal | $500-1,000 |
| Software tools | $200-500 |
| **Total** | **$1,700-15,000** |

## Talent Recruitment

### Where to Find Engineers

- **Levels.fyi** — Salary benchmarks
- **LinkedIn** — Direct outreach
- **AngelList/Wellfound** — Startup-focused talent
- **YC Work at a Startup** — YC company job board
- **Hacker News Who's Hiring** — Monthly thread

### Competitive Compensation

| Role | Early Stage Equity | Cash |
|------|-------------------|------|
| Engineer #1-5 | 0.5-2% | $120-180K |
| Engineer #6-20 | 0.1-0.5% | $140-200K |
| First PM | 0.25-1% | $120-160K |

### Hiring Reality

- SF talent is expensive but accessible
- Remote hiring expands pool significantly
- Equity matters more at early stage
- AI talent commands 30-50% premium

## Should You Stay in SF?

### Reasons to Stay

- VC meetings are easier in person
- Talent density (especially AI)
- Serendipitous networking
- YC and accelerator access
- Tech culture/energy

### Reasons to Leave

- Cost savings (40-60% cheaper elsewhere)
- Remote-first culture is accepted
- Quality of life elsewhere
- Many VCs do Zoom anyway

### Common Alternatives

| City | Pros | Cons |
|------|------|------|
| **Austin** | 60% cheaper, growing tech | Less VC density |
| **NYC** | Finance/media VCs, talent | Still expensive |
| **Miami** | Tax benefits, growing | Newer ecosystem |
| **LA** | Creator economy, cheaper | Car-dependent |

### The Verdict

- **For first-time founders:** SF still has edge for networking/VCs
- **For experienced founders:** Can be anywhere, fly in for meetings
- **For AI startups:** SF is almost mandatory (talent density)


path: student.md
content: # Student Guide — San Francisco Bay Area

## Universities

### In San Francisco (City)

| University | Type | Annual Tuition | Acceptance |
|------------|------|----------------|------------|
| **SF State (SFSU)** | Public (CSU) | $7,500 + fees = ~$25,500 (in-state) / $37,400 (out-of-state) | 93% |
| **USF** | Private (Jesuit) | ~$58,000 | ~65% |
| **UCSF** | Public (UC) - Graduate Only | N/A (medical/nursing/pharma) | Very selective |
| **City College SF** | Community College | ~$1,400/year (in-state) / ~$10,000 (out-of-state) | Open admission |
| **Academy of Art** | Private (For-profit) | ~$24,000 | Open admission |

### Bay Area (Nearby)

| University | Distance | Total Cost/Year | Notes |
|------------|----------|-----------------|-------|
| **UC Berkeley** | 30 min BART | ~$45,000 (in-state COA) | Top 20 globally |
| **Stanford** | 45 min Caltrain | ~$96,500 | Includes housing |
| **San Jose State** | 1hr Caltrain | ~$23,000 (in-state) | Good for tech |
| **Santa Clara Univ** | 50 min | ~$60,000 | Jesuit, strong CS |

## Detailed Cost Breakdown

### UC Berkeley (2025-2026)
```
Tuition + Fees:       $14,312 (CA) / $51,914 (Non-resident)
Housing + Food:       $22,167 (on-campus)
Books & Supplies:     $1,442
Personal:             $2,738 - $3,006
Transportation:       $830 - $2,998
---
TOTAL:                ~$42,000 (CA) / ~$79,000 (Non-res)
```

### Stanford
```
Tuition:              $67,731
Housing + Food:       $22,167
Student Fees:         $2,475
Books:                $840
Personal:             $3,300
---
TOTAL:                $96,513+
```

### SFSU (Most Affordable)
```
In-state total COA:   $25,479
Out-of-state:         $37,359
Net cost (low income): $9,000 - $13,000
```

## Financial Aid

### Grants (No Repayment)
- **Cal Grant:** Up to $12,630/year for CA residents (income-based)
- **Pell Grant:** Up to $7,395/year (federal)
- **SFSU Grant:** Additional need-based aid
- **Stanford:** 100% need-met policy (families <$100K = no tuition)
- **Berkeley Blue+Gold:** Families <$85K = no tuition

### Key Deadlines
- FAFSA: Opens October 1, priority by March 2
- Cal Grant: March 2 deadline

## Housing Options

### On-Campus (Per Year)

| University | Range | Includes |
|------------|-------|----------|
| SFSU | $10,000-14,000 | Housing + basic meal plan |
| Berkeley | $18,000-22,000 | Residence halls |
| Stanford | $22,167 | Housing + full meal |
| USF | $16,000-18,000 | Housing |

### Off-Campus (Monthly)

| Option | Cost | Best For |
|--------|------|----------|
| **Studio** | $1,800-2,500 | Privacy seekers |
| **1BR** | $2,400-3,200 | Couples |
| **Room share** | $900-1,500 | Budget-conscious |

### Budget-Friendly Areas
- **Outer Sunset** — Foggy, quiet, near SFSU
- **Daly City** — 50% cheaper, BART accessible
- **Parkmerced** — Near SFSU, student-friendly
- **Colma** — BART line, very affordable

### Where to Search
- **Craigslist SF** (sfbay.craigslist.org) — Most used
- **Facebook Groups:** "SF Housing", "Bay Area Rentals"
- **Roomies.com, SpareRoom** — Roommate matching
- **University housing boards** — Each school has one

## Part-Time Work

### On-Campus (Recommended for F-1 visa)

| Job | Pay | Notes |
|-----|-----|-------|
| Work-study | $17-20/hr | Library, tutoring, admin |
| Research assistant | $18-25/hr | Undergrad positions |
| Dining halls | $17-19/hr | Flexible hours |
| IT help desk | $18-22/hr | Tech experience |
| Campus tour guide | $17-20/hr | Social |

### Off-Campus Popular Jobs

| Job | Pay | Flexibility |
|-----|-----|-------------|
| Barista (Blue Bottle, Peet's) | $17-20/hr + tips | Medium |
| Retail (Union Square) | $17-19/hr | Variable |
| Food delivery (DoorDash) | $15-25/hr | High |
| Tutoring (Wyzant, Varsity) | $25-60/hr | High |
| Restaurant server | $17/hr + tips (~$30 total) | Variable |

### Apps for Gigs
- **Handshake** — University job board
- **LinkedIn** — Professional roles
- **DoorDash/UberEats** — Flexible delivery
- **Snagajob** — Hourly positions

## Student Transportation

### MUNI (SF Transit)
- **Under 18:** FREE
- **Adult single ride:** $2.50
- **Monthly pass:** ~$81

### BART (Regional)
- **Connects:** SF ↔ Berkeley ↔ Oakland ↔ Airport
- **Student discount:** 50% off with BART student ID
- **To Berkeley:** ~$4-5 one way

### Caltrain (Peninsula)
- **To Stanford:** ~$7-10 one way
- **Monthly pass:** ~$250 (from SF)

### Clipper Card
- **Essential:** Load all transit on one card
- **Auto-reload:** Set up for convenience
- **Get at:** Walgreens, BART stations, online

## Student Life

### Study Spots
- **SF Public Library (Main)** — Free, downtown
- **Coffee shops:** Sightglass, Four Barrel, Ritual
- **Berkeley:** Free Speech Movement Café, Doe Library
- **Stanford:** Green Library, CoHo

### Social & Activities
- **Mission Dolores Park** — Young crowd, weekend hangout
- **Golden Gate Park** — Picnics, sports
- **Ocean Beach** — Bonfires (bring layers)
- **Berkeley events** — Free concerts, speakers

### Cheap Eats
- **Mission burritos** — $12-15, huge portions
- **Chinatown** — $8-12 meals
- **Trader Joe's** — Budget groceries
- **Costco** — Stock up with roommates

## Safety for Students

### Safe Areas
- **Most campus areas** — Generally safe
- **Mission** — Fine during day, careful at night
- **Berkeley campus** — Safe, some surrounding areas less so

### Areas to Avoid
- **Tenderloin** — Avoid especially at night
- **Civic Center** — Late night risky
- **Parts of Oakland** — Varies by neighborhood

### General Tips
- Don't walk alone late night in unfamiliar areas
- Use campus safe walk services
- Keep phone charged for emergencies
- Download SFMTA app for transit updates


path: tech.md
content: # Tech Worker Guide — San Francisco Bay Area

## Major Employers & Office Locations

### Mega Giants (Public Companies)

| Company | HQ Location | Bay Area Employees | Focus |
|---------|-------------|-------------------|-------|
| **Apple** | Cupertino (Apple Park) | 25,000+ | Consumer hardware/software |
| **Google/Alphabet** | Mountain View + SF | 30,000+ | Search, cloud, AI |
| **Meta** | Menlo Park | 15,000+ | Social, VR/AR |
| **Salesforce** | SF (Salesforce Tower) | 12,000+ in SF | Enterprise SaaS |
| **Amazon/AWS** | SF + Palo Alto | 8,000+ | Cloud, retail |

### Unicorns & Growth Companies

| Company | Location | Valuation | Sector |
|---------|----------|-----------|--------|
| **OpenAI** | Mission District/Mission Bay | $90B+ | AI |
| **Anthropic** | SF | $40B+ | AI Safety |
| **Stripe** | SF (South Park) | $95B | Fintech |
| **Airbnb** | SF | $75B+ | Travel |
| **Uber** | SF (Mission Bay) | $120B+ | Mobility |
| **DoorDash** | SF | $50B+ | Delivery |
| **Cloudflare** | SF | $25B+ | Infrastructure |

### Office Zones

- **SF Downtown/SoMa:** Salesforce, Uber, Airbnb, Cloudflare, Twilio, DocuSign
- **Mission Bay:** OpenAI, UCSF, biotech hub
- **South Bay:** Google, Apple, Meta (Mountain View/Palo Alto/Cupertino)
- **Biotech Corridor:** South SF, Brisbane (Genentech hub)

## Salary Benchmarks (Total Compensation)

### Software Engineer by Level

| Level | Total Comp Range | Base Typical |
|-------|-----------------|--------------|
| Entry (L3/New Grad) | $130K-180K | $110-140K |
| Mid (L4/SDE II) | $200K-290K | $150-180K |
| Senior (L5) | $300K-400K | $180-220K |
| Staff (L6) | $400K-550K | $220-280K |
| Principal (L7+) | $550K-800K+ | $280-350K |

### By Company (Median Total Comp)

| Company | L4 (SDE II) | L5 (Senior) | L6 (Staff) |
|---------|-------------|-------------|------------|
| **OpenAI** | $350K | $630K | $1M+ |
| **Google** | $260K | $350K | $500K |
| **Meta** | $280K | $380K | $550K |
| **Apple** | $240K | $320K | $450K |
| **Amazon** | $210K | $290K | $450K |
| **Stripe** | $280K | $380K | $500K |
| **Salesforce** | $220K | $290K | $380K |

**Note:** AI/ML roles pay 20-40% premium over base SWE

### Compensation Reality Check

- **$150K base ≈ $80K elsewhere** — SF cost of living is brutal
- **Stock comp is real** — Total comp matters more than base
- **AI premium is huge** — OpenAI, Anthropic pay significantly more

## Work Culture (2025)

### Remote/Hybrid Trends
- Office vacancy rate: 37% (historic high)
- Typical model: 3 days office / 2 remote
- **Full remote:** GitLab, Zapier, some startups
- **Strict RTO:** Amazon (5 days), some fintech

### Culture Variations
- **Big Tech:** Better WLB, premium benefits, more process
- **Startups:** Intense, equity-heavy compensation
- **AI Companies:** High intensity, top salaries

### Layoff Context (2023-2025)
- Major layoffs in 2022-2023 (Meta, Google, Amazon)
- AI companies hiring aggressively
- Market more competitive than 2021 peak

## Best Neighborhoods for Tech Workers

### Near SF Offices

| Neighborhood | For | Commute to SoMa |
|--------------|-----|-----------------|
| **Mission** | Young, social, sunny | 10-15 min MUNI |
| **Hayes Valley** | Central, walkable | 10 min walk |
| **SoMa** | Ultra-close | Walk |
| **Potrero Hill** | Quieter, views | 10 min |

### Near South Bay (Google/Apple/Meta)

| Option | Trade-off |
|--------|-----------|
| **Live in SF, commute** | Tech shuttle (~1hr each way), WLB hit |
| **Live in Palo Alto/MV** | Closer to work, quieter, suburban |
| **Live on Peninsula** | San Mateo, Redwood City — middle ground |

### Tech Shuttle Reality
- Google, Apple, Meta, Genentech run private buses
- WiFi + work on commute
- 45-90 min each way depending on pickup
- Popular: pick up in Mission, Castro, Marina

## Networking & Events

### Major Conferences (2025)

| Event | Date | Location | Focus |
|-------|------|----------|-------|
| **TechCrunch Disrupt** | Oct 27-29 | Moscone West | Startups, VCs |
| **SaaStr Annual** | May 13-15 | San Mateo | B2B SaaS |
| **Dreamforce** | Oct 14-16 | Moscone | Enterprise (Salesforce) |
| **RSA Conference** | Apr 28-May 1 | Moscone | Cybersecurity |
| **TEDAI SF** | Oct 21-22 | SF | AI Leaders |

### Regular Meetups
- **Bay Area AI Meetup** — Technical AI/ML events
- **Cerebral Valley** — AI event hub, hackathons
- **SF #TechWeek** — Annual week of tech events
- **Product Hunt SF** — Product launches
- **Y Combinator Demo Days** — 2x/year

### Casual Networking
- **Running clubs** — Founders Running Club
- **Hacker houses** — AGI House, Treehouse
- **Coworking events** — Shack15, Industrious

## Visa & Sponsorship

### Common Work Visas
- **H-1B:** Specialty occupation, lottery-based, employer-sponsored
- **L-1:** Intracompany transfer
- **O-1:** Extraordinary ability
- **E-2:** Treaty investor (startups)

### Companies Known for Sponsorship
- Most large tech companies sponsor H-1B
- Check levels.fyi for company-specific visa data
- AI companies aggressively sponsoring talent

## Career Growth Tips

### Standing Out
- **Build in public** — GitHub, blog, Twitter/X
- **Attend events** — In-person networking matters
- **Specialize in AI** — Premium skills pay premium salaries
- **Network at work** — Internal mobility is easier

### Negotiation Reality
- **Always negotiate** — Companies expect it
- **Total comp focus** — Stock, signing bonus, benefits
- **Competing offers help** — Interview broadly
- **levels.fyi** — Check realistic comp ranges before negotiating


path: transport.md
content: # Transportation Guide — San Francisco

## Overview

**Key insight:** SF is best navigated WITHOUT a car. Parking is expensive ($200-400/month), car break-ins are rampant, and transit covers most areas.

## Public Transit

### MUNI (SF Municipal Transit)
The city's bus, streetcar, and metro system.

| Type | Coverage | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| **MUNI Metro** | Underground downtown, surface in neighborhoods | L, M, N, K/T, J lines |
| **MUNI Bus** | Everywhere | Many routes |
| **Historic Streetcars** | Market St to Fisherman's Wharf | F-line |
| **Cable Cars** | Tourist areas | Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde, California |

**Fares:**
- Single ride: $2.50 (exact change or Clipper)
- Day pass: $13
- Monthly pass (MUNI only): ~$81
- Monthly pass (MUNI + BART): ~$98

**Free rides:**
- Under 18: FREE
- Seniors 65+: Reduced fare
- Low-income discount: Available

### BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
Regional rail connecting SF to East Bay, SFO, and Peninsula.

**SF Stations:** Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, 16th St, 24th St, Balboa Park, Glen Park

**Fares:** Distance-based, $2.40 minimum
- SF to Oakland: ~$4-5
- SF to Berkeley: ~$5-6
- SF to SFO Airport: ~$9-10

**Hours:** ~5am-midnight (limited late night)

### Caltrain
Commuter rail to Peninsula and South Bay (Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose).

- **SF Station:** 4th & King (SoMa)
- **Fare to Palo Alto:** ~$7-10
- **Monthly pass:** ~$250 from SF
- **Tech shuttles:** Connect Caltrain to Google, Meta, etc.

### Ferry
Scenic option for commute or tourism.

| Route | Fare | Notes |
|-------|------|-------|
| SF ↔ Sausalito | ~$14 | Tourist favorite |
| SF ↔ Oakland | ~$7 | Commuter route |
| SF ↔ Larkspur | ~$14 | Marin County |
| SF ↔ Vallejo | ~$15 | North Bay |

**Terminal:** Ferry Building (Embarcadero)

### Clipper Card (Essential)
- **What:** Reloadable transit card for ALL Bay Area transit
- **Where to get:** Walgreens, BART stations, clippercard.com
- **Load:** Cash, credit, auto-reload
- **Tip:** Get a Clipper card immediately — way easier than cash

## Rideshare & Taxis

### Uber/Lyft
- **Ubiquitous** in SF
- **Typical costs:**
  - Downtown to Mission: $12-18
  - Downtown to Marina: $15-22
  - Downtown to SFO: $35-55
- **Surge pricing:** Common during events, rain, weekend nights
- **Tip:** Lyft often slightly cheaper than Uber

### Taxis
- **Still exist** but less common
- **Apps:** Flywheel, Curb
- **When useful:** Credit card issues, prefer traditional

## Bikes & Scooters

### Bay Wheels (Bike Share)
- **Operator:** Lyft
- **Stations:** Throughout SF
- **Cost:** $3.50/trip (30 min), $25/month membership
- **E-bikes:** Available, extra cost
- **Good for:** Flat areas (Embarcadero, Marina, Mission)

### Electric Scooters
- **Available:** Lime, Spin, others
- **Cost:** $1 to unlock + $0.30-0.40/min
- **Rules:** No sidewalk riding, must use bike lanes
- **Helmet:** Required by law (though rarely enforced)

### Bike Lanes
- **Best routes:** Embarcadero, Panhandle, Wiggle (flat route to Ocean Beach)
- **Caution:** Hills are brutal, SF has serious elevation
- **E-bike recommended** for regular commuting

## Driving & Parking

### Should You Have a Car?
**Probably not if:**
- You live/work in central SF
- Your commute is BART/MUNI accessible
- You don't leave the city often

**Maybe yes if:**
- You commute to South Bay (no public transit option)
- You have kids and frequently leave city
- You live in outer neighborhoods with poor transit

### Parking Costs
- **Garage (downtown):** $300-600/month
- **Residential permit:** ~$150/year (lottery in popular areas)
- **Street parking:** Free with permit in residential areas
- **Meters:** $2-8/hour depending on area

### Car Break-Ins (Critical Warning)
- SF has **highest rate in the country**
- **Never leave anything visible** — empty bag = smashed window
- Worst areas: tourist spots, Fisherman's Wharf, downtown
- **Tips:**
  - Leave glove box open (shows empty)
  - Trunk should be empty BEFORE you park
  - Use garages when possible

### Tolls
- **Golden Gate Bridge:** ~$8.75 (southbound only, electronic)
- **Bay Bridge:** ~$7 (westbound only, electronic)
- **FasTrak:** Get it if driving regularly

## Getting to/from Airports

### SFO (San Francisco International)
- **BART:** Direct, ~$9-10, 35-45 min to downtown
- **Uber/Lyft:** $35-55, 25-45 min depending on traffic
- **Shuttle:** SuperShuttle, ~$20-30

### OAK (Oakland International)
- **BART + connector:** ~$12, 60+ min
- **Uber/Lyft:** $40-60, 30-45 min
- **Often cheaper flights** than SFO

### SJC (San Jose International)
- **Caltrain + VTA:** ~$15, 90+ min
- **Uber/Lyft:** $60-90, 50-70 min
- **Only worth it** if significantly cheaper flight

## Transit Apps

| App | Purpose |
|-----|---------|
| **Google Maps** | Best overall for trip planning |
| **Apple Maps** | Good transit directions |
| **SFMTA app** | Official MUNI arrivals |
| **BART app** | Official BART times |
| **Transit** | Real-time arrivals, multiple agencies |
| **Citymapper** | Excellent multi-modal planning |

## Tips from Locals

- **511.org** — Regional trip planner and alerts
- **Avoid rush hour MUNI** — 8-9am, 5-6pm very crowded
- **N-Judah** — Slowest line, budget extra time
- **Cable cars** — Fun once, not practical for commuting
- **Uber pool/Lyft shared** — Cheaper, takes longer
- **BART parking** — Free on weekends at some stations
- **Fog delays** — Can affect Marin ferries and outer MUNI


path: visitor-attractions.md
content: # Attractions Guide — San Francisco

## Must-See (Worth Your Time)

| Attraction | Why | Tips |
|-----------|-----|------|
| **Alcatraz Island** | Immersive history, excellent audio tour | Book 2-4 weeks ahead, sells out |
| **Golden Gate Bridge** | Iconic, spectacular views | Walk/bike across. Views from Baker Beach, Fort Point, Crissy Field |
| **Golden Gate Park** | Larger than Central Park | Japanese Tea Garden, Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum |
| **Chinatown** | Oldest, largest in North America | Authentic food, explore Ross Alley |
| **Cable Cars** | UNESCO heritage, unique | California line = shorter wait |
| **Twin Peaks** | 360° city views | Go at sunset, bring jacket |
| **Pier 39 Sea Lions** | Free, entertaining | Best in morning |
| **Muir Woods** | Giant redwoods | 30 min drive, book parking ahead |
| **Mission Dolores Park** | Local atmosphere, skyline views | Bring picnic, young crowd |
| **Ferry Building** | Farmers market, artisan food | Saturday market best |

---

## Overrated (Skip or Quick Visit)

| Skip | Why | Instead |
|------|-----|---------|
| **Fisherman's Wharf** | Tourist trap, mediocre food | Sea lions only, eat elsewhere |
| **Union Square** | Mall stores, declining area | Mission or Hayes Valley shopping |
| **Lombard Street drive** | Marketing gimmick | View from below, don't wait in line |
| **Haight-Ashbury** | Past its moment | 30 min walk is enough |
| **Pier 39 beyond sea lions** | Generic, overpriced | Just see the sea lions |
| **Madame Tussauds** | Same as everywhere | Any museum instead |

---

## Maybe Attractions

| Attraction | Verdict | Notes |
|------------|---------|-------|
| **Exploratorium** | ✅ Great for kids/curious adults | Book ahead on weekends |
| **de Young Museum** | ✅ Worth it | Tower has free views |
| **Academy of Sciences** | ✅ Excellent | Planetarium, aquarium, rainforest |
| **Ghirardelli Square** | ⚠️ Quick visit | Free chocolate sample, then leave |
| **Coit Tower** | ⚠️ Nice views | Murals inside, not essential |
| **Painted Ladies** | ⚠️ Photo op | 5 minutes is enough |

---

## Free Attractions

| Attraction | What | Tips |
|------------|------|------|
| **Golden Gate Bridge** | Walk across | Start from Welcome Center |
| **Crissy Field** | Beach, bridge views | Great for picnics |
| **Mission murals** | Street art | Balmy Alley, Clarion Alley |
| **Lands End** | Coastal trail | Sutro Baths ruins |
| **Fort Point** | Historic fort, bridge views | Under the bridge |
| **Farmers markets** | Food, atmosphere | Ferry Building (Sat), Alemany |
| **City Lights Bookstore** | Beat generation history | North Beach |


path: visitor-itineraries.md
content: # San Francisco Itineraries

## One Day (Highlights)

| Time | Activity | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9am | Cable car from Powell | California line shorter wait |
| 10am | Fisherman's Wharf | Sea lions at Pier 39 |
| 12pm | Ferry Building | Lunch at farmers market (Sat) |
| 2pm | Golden Gate Bridge | Uber to Crissy Field, walk across |
| 5pm | Twin Peaks | Sunset views |
| 7pm | Dinner in North Beach | Italian, or Mission for Mexican |

---

## Three Days (Essential)

### Day 1: Waterfront + Downtown
- Cable car experience
- Chinatown walking tour (Ross Alley)
- Ferry Building lunch
- Pier 39 sea lions
- North Beach dinner (Tony's Pizza)

### Day 2: Parks + Bridge
- Golden Gate Park (pick: Academy of Sciences OR de Young)
- Quick Haight-Ashbury walk
- Golden Gate Bridge (walk across)
- Sausalito (ferry back)
- Marina District dinner

### Day 3: Culture + Views
- Alcatraz (book ahead!)
- Mission District (murals, Dolores Park)
- Tacos at El Farolito
- Twin Peaks sunset
- Castro dinner

---

## Seven Days (Add)

**Day 4:** Muir Woods + Sausalito
**Day 5:** Wine Country day trip (Napa/Sonoma)
**Day 6:** Monterey/Carmel day trip
**Day 7:** Neighborhoods (Hayes Valley, Noe Valley, bike rental)

---

## By Interest

### Foodies (3 days)
1. Ferry Building + Chinatown dim sum + North Beach Italian
2. Mission tacos + Tartine + coffee tour
3. Wine Country or fine dining splurge

### Nature Lovers (3 days)
1. Golden Gate Park full day
2. Muir Woods + Point Reyes
3. Lands End + Ocean Beach + Twin Peaks

### Families (3 days)
1. Exploratorium + Pier 39 + cable cars
2. Academy of Sciences + Golden Gate Park playground
3. Alcatraz + Ghirardelli (chocolate)

### History/Culture (3 days)
1. Alcatraz + Chinatown history
2. Mission murals + Castro LGBTQ history
3. Beat Museum + City Lights + North Beach

---

## Day Trips from SF

| Destination | Drive | Why | Tips |
|-------------|-------|-----|------|
| **Muir Woods** | 30 min | Giant redwoods | Book parking ahead |
| **Sausalito** | 15 min | Waterfront town | Ferry there, drive back |
| **Napa Valley** | 1 hr | Wine tasting | Book tastings ahead |
| **Sonoma** | 45 min | Wine, more relaxed | Better food than Napa |
| **Point Reyes** | 1 hr | Wildlife, beaches | Elephant seals! |
| **Monterey** | 2 hr | Aquarium, 17-Mile Drive | Full day needed |
| **Carmel** | 2.5 hr | Charming beach town | Combine with Monterey |
| **Half Moon Bay** | 45 min | Coastal escape | Mavericks surf spot |
| **Santa Cruz** | 1.5 hr | Beach boardwalk | Family-friendly |
| **Yosemite** | 3.5 hr | National park | Needs overnight |

---

## Best Times to Visit

| Month | Weather | Crowds | Events |
|-------|---------|--------|--------|
| **Sept-Oct** | Warmest, sunny | Medium | Fleet Week, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass |
| **Nov-Dec** | Cooler, holidays | Lower | Holiday markets |
| **Jan-Feb** | Rainy | Lowest | Chinese New Year parade |
| **Mar-May** | Mild, some rain | Medium | Cherry blossoms |
| **Jun-Aug** | FOG (cold!) | Highest | Pride (June), Outside Lands (Aug) |

**Key insight:** September-October is SF's "summer" — warmest and sunniest.


path: visitor-lodging.md
content: # Where to Stay — San Francisco

## Budget ($100-200/night)

| Area | Pros | Cons |
|------|------|------|
| **Marina District** | Safe, bridge views, motels | Far from downtown |
| **Sunset District** | Very safe, near park | Foggy, residential |
| **Richmond District** | Safe, great Asian food | Far from attractions |

**Budget options:**
- HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf — Hostel, great location
- Motel 6 Lombard — Basic but cheap
- Hotel Griffon — Affordable, waterfront
- Beck's Motor Lodge — Castro, retro charm

---

## Mid-Range ($200-350/night)

| Area | Pros | Cons |
|------|------|------|
| **Fisherman's Wharf** | Central, family-friendly | Noisy, touristy |
| **North Beach** | Italian charm, restaurants | Steep hills |
| **Nob Hill** | Elegant, cable car access | Uphill everywhere |
| **SOMA** | Modern, near museums | Mixed safety by block |

**Mid-range options:**
- Hotel Vitale — Embarcadero, waterfront
- Hotel Zephyr — Fisherman's Wharf, fun design
- Phoenix Hotel — Rock and roll history
- Hotel Triton — Union Square area, boutique

---

## Luxury ($350+/night)

| Area | Pros | Cons |
|------|------|------|
| **Pacific Heights** | Mansions, ultra-safe | Far from action |
| **Presidio** | Park setting, quiet | Need car/Uber |
| **Union Square** | Central, theaters | Near Tenderloin edge |
| **Nob Hill** | Historic grandeur | $$$$ |

**Luxury options:**
- Fairmont San Francisco — Iconic Nob Hill
- Ritz-Carlton — Classic luxury
- Palace Hotel — Historic downtown
- The Lodge at the Presidio — Park setting
- Cavallo Point — Marin side, bridge views

---

## By Situation

| Need | Best Area |
|------|-----------|
| **First visit, see everything** | Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach |
| **Business** | SOMA, Financial District |
| **Nightlife** | Mission, Marina |
| **Families** | Fisherman's Wharf, Marina |
| **Budget** | Richmond, Sunset |
| **Romance** | Pacific Heights, Presidio |
| **Tech visit** | SOMA (near offices) |

---

## Areas to AVOID for Hotels

| Area | Why |
|------|-----|
| **Tenderloin** | Crime, drugs, homeless — no matter how cheap |
| **Mid-Market / Civic Center** | Dangerous at night |
| **6th-8th St SOMA** | Drug activity |
| **Union Square south side** | Too close to Tenderloin |

**Rule:** If a hotel seems too cheap for SF, research the exact block carefully.


path: visitor-tips.md
content: # Visitor Tips — San Francisco

## Weather Reality

| Myth | Reality |
|------|---------|
| "California = warm" | SF summers are COLD and foggy |
| "I don't need a jacket" | You always need layers |
| "It's sunny" | Microclimates vary by neighborhood |

### What to Pack
- Layers (always)
- Light jacket or fleece
- Comfortable walking shoes (hills!)
- No shorts-only outfits

### Temperature by Area
- **Mission/Castro:** Sunniest, warmest
- **Sunset/Richmond:** Foggy, cold
- **Downtown:** Wind tunnels

---

## Transport Basics

### Getting Around
- **Muni Metro/Bus** — $3/ride or $5 day pass
- **BART** — To airport, East Bay
- **Cable Cars** — $8/ride (tourist experience)
- **Uber/Lyft** — Best for hills and night

### Apps
- **Muni Mobile** — Pay for transit
- **Citymapper** — Navigation
- **Uber/Lyft** — Rideshare

### Tips
- Walk less than you think (hills!)
- Cable car California line has shorter waits
- BART closes at midnight
- Airport: BART to SFO is cheapest ($10)

---

## Money-Saving

| Tip | Savings |
|-----|---------|
| **Free museums** | Legion of Honor (1st Tues), de Young tower |
| **Free parks** | Golden Gate Park, Lands End, Crissy Field |
| **Free views** | Twin Peaks, de Young tower, Grandview Park |
| **Mission burritos** | Giant meal for $12-15 |
| **Chinatown meals** | $8-12 for full lunch |
| **Farmers markets** | Good cheap lunch options |
| **Walk the bridge** | Free, iconic experience |

---

## Booking Ahead

| Must Book | When |
|-----------|------|
| **Alcatraz** | 2-4 weeks (minimum) |
| **Muir Woods parking** | 1-2 weeks |
| **Popular restaurants** | 1-2 weeks (State Bird = 60 days) |
| **Wine tastings** | 1 week+ for good wineries |
| **Weekend hotels** | 2+ weeks |

---

## Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| No jacket | Always bring layers |
| Too much walking planned | Use Uber for hills |
| Not booking Alcatraz | Book first thing |
| Eating at Fisherman's Wharf | Just see sea lions, eat elsewhere |
| Staying near Tenderloin | Research hotel location carefully |
| Expecting warm summer | Sept-Oct is warmest |
| Driving everywhere | Parking is expensive and hard |

---

## Safety Quick Guide

- **Main risks:** Car break-ins, property theft, some areas
- **Car:** NEVER leave anything visible (even empty bags)
- **Phone:** Be aware, especially in transit
- **Avoid:** Tenderloin, Mid-Market, 6th-8th St SOMA

**Emergency:** 911 | Non-emergency: 311

---

## Local Secrets

| Tip | Details |
|-----|---------|
| **Best views** | Grandview Park (quiet), Tank Hill, Bernal Heights |
| **Real Chinatown** | Richmond District has better food |
| **Ferry commute** | Ferry Building → Sausalito is scenic transit |
| **Free chocolate** | Ghirardelli Square sample |
| **Saturday plan** | Ferry Building farmers market |
| **Sunset watching** | Lands End > Ocean Beach (less foggy) |
| **Mission order** | Super burrito > regular burrito |

---

## Useful Numbers

| Service | Number |
|---------|--------|
| **Emergency** | 911 |
| **Non-emergency** | 311 |
| **Muni info** | 511 |
| **Alcatraz bookings** | alcatrazcruises.com |


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