A more recent image is that of the San Francisco of the 1960s, the capital of the Hippie Generation, with the focus of this at Haight-Ashbury . Above all though, the visual image of San Francisco has always been that of an incredibly beautiful city. Built on over 40 hills, and set on one of the world's most spectacular bays, the steep and picturesque streets of the city's downtown core seem to plunge almost vertically downwards to the harbor. With characteristic innovation San Francisco adapted, and introduced the city's famous cable cars to overcome the steep gradients. Parks and an abundance of unusual trees and shrubs seem to be everywhere.
Flowers blossom year round in a riot of color.
Today the contemporary images of San Francisco still make it stand apart from the rest of the United States. San Francisco is viewed by many as a bastion of tolerance. Forever a Mecca for the 'individual,' emigration to the area has sent housing prices through the roof. Silicon Valley to the south with its booming high-tech industry has also attracted many newcomers to the region. Whatever its appeal, San Francisco and the Bay Area has for generations been the epitome of a happening place.