I was thirteen years old when I first visited San Francisco. I hated it. My mom booked a hotel in the Tenderloin (because it was cheap, of course) so you can imagine why my first impression of the city was tainted – dodging piles of shit, garbage, needles, avoiding getting accosted, and plugging my nose from the stench. Now, having lived here for five years, I can walk to the Tenderloin eighty percent less scared. Out of all the places in the world, it’s crazy I ended up somewhere I told myself I’d never return to. I visited the city again three years later, at sixteen years old, with my mom, her friend, and my childhood best friend. It was a completely different experience, and I had a blast.
When I was in eleventh grade, a representative from the San Francisco Art Institute came to speak at my high school about their programs. I was not planning on applying there, but decided it wouldn’t hurt to learn more about it. No one showed up to the meeting except me. I was fortunate enough to have a one-on-one with her, where we discussed my portfolio and she gave me insight on what to include in an application. Little did I know at the time, they were desperate for new students because they were in financial trouble.
I ended up applying to eleven universities all over the nation, as well as my top choice the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. My second choices were the ones in California, San Diego State University and San Francisco Art Institute. I knew I wanted to be on the west coast, where there was warmer weather and more nature, but also more opportunities in the film industry. When I got denied at UBC and accepted at SFSU and SFAI, but only offered a scholarship at SFAI, the decision was basically made for me. Having thankfully had a better second experience with the city, I decided to give San Francisco a chance. My first two years at SFAI were amazing. I created a lot of art, explored the city and cities across the bay, and made so many great friends and connections. I even braved living in the Tenderloin dorms for the first year! The school unfortunately shut down after my first two years, and we were all forced to transfer. I finished my last year and a half at the California College of the Arts. But SFAI was such a landmark of the city. There was no better place to be when learning how to be a San Franciscan, and the views from our campus were beautiful. The school was founded in 1871 and SFAI library’s large physical and digital archive helped me learn more about San Francisco artists and how they built their careers in this city.
One of the galleries at SFAI had an original Diego Rivera Mural fresco. A few hidden murals throughout the building were also discovered (see in this gallery below). There is so much history within the buildings, parks, and people of this city, and I was and am fortunate to be in the middle of it.
I am so fascinated with the architecture here – as are most people. I have always loved sifting through Dwell Magazine, or looking at Instagram accounts for architecture, and even going to open houses for fun. There are so many ways to design a house, and the rounded windows, bold or wacky colours, and layout of the Victorian homes intrigue me. You can walk just three blocks and pass by so many different styles of buildings. Each one has character, and can be so unique from the next (and not just in colour).
The city’s hills also contribute to making San Francisco a city unlike any other. Standing on top of one, I observed from a distance all the colourful layers of mish-mash architecture, and appreciated this city even more, for its bold personality and for creating a new definition of beauty. Another exciting quality of the city is all its thoughtfully designed neighborhood parks. It doesn’t matter where you live, there’s always a park not too far away. Even each park is unlike another. I’ve lived in cities before where many parks looked the same. I currently live closest to Lafayette Park, where you can walk the many windy pathways, play tennis, set up a hammock, a picnic, bring your dog to the dog park, or observe the boats in the ocean from the north side.
There are plenty of places, such as the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Lands End, and any of the beaches that make you feel like you’ve left the city. The city planners have achieved a good balance between nature and urban life, and I’m so glad they also see the importance in maintaining all these spaces.
I don’t find myself ever getting bored in this city. San Francisco has always inspired me to make the most out of my life, and to continuously create art, no matter what I may be going through. I have found that I am more motivated in this city than anywhere else. Perhaps also because I am the most happy here than I’ve ever been in any city.
Having met so many people of different generations, I feel this city welcomes every type of person, at any stage in life. That’s what is so special about it. I’ve lived in four different neighborhoods in the city and two across the bridge, in Oakland, and have experienced so much in all of them. So many great neighborhoods, so many beautiful sights, so many possibilities to find your place, and your people.