Sorry i'm Late, San Francisco - A Love Letter

I’ve lived in the Bay Area for almost half my life now, and I’m embarrassed to admit I haven’t spent nearly enough time in San Francisco. For the longest time, I think I was afraid that leaning into Bay Area life meant losing my beloved SoCal roots.

Some of my fondest memories are of downtown LA: my mom making sure we were well-versed in the street food, the sights and sounds, and the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city. Since finishing school, though, I’ve been frequenting San Francisco more often, and little by little, I’m starting to fall in love.

Picture this: I was 12 years old, a true SoCal girl - flip-flops glued to my feet (still true), chasing down the elote man with his cart, surrounded by people who looked and sounded like me. Then, suddenly, my family relocated to Livermore. Everyone was saying “hella” this and “hella” that, and there was no elote man in sight. I felt alone in this new world called the Bay Area, and for a while, I resisted its charms.

For nearly 10 years, I lived just a short drive away but rarely ventured into the city. Its bright red bridge, steep streets, and resident fog named Karl just couldn’t compete with the nostalgia of LA. I missed hopping on the Metrolink to Union Station, exploring downtown until our feet ached, with my mom as our fearless guide. San Francisco felt like a stranger.

But San Francisco, I owe you an apology. How silly I was to resist your beauty. I’m older now, and while I’ll always be grateful for my Southern California roots, I see you with new eyes. You’re bustling with life, rich with colors and sounds that are entirely your own. So here’s my apology, and my promise. I’ll take the short drive more often, and I’ll fall in love with you properly. With your crowded food stands, your gorgeous monuments, and your one-of-a-kind soul.

So, with that being said, here’s a glimpse of my most recent day trip with my siblings and cousin. Armed with nothing but my camera and an open heart, I let San Francisco take my breath away for the very first time.

No better way to start the day than in Chinatown.

Then the Palace of Fine Arts for a brisk windy walk, and quick bite.

My favorite shot of the day.