Kimberly

In Howard’s Cafe, 9th Avenue
Inner Sunset
Monday morning

***

A statistic I have always enjoyed is that there are more dogs than children in San Francisco. As a first grade teacher, this is probably something I should be concerned about. Rather, it’s one of the odd things about the city that I love.  This makes some kind of sense to me; the city’s energy can keep up with a puppy. Those who know me best have called me a puppy. Evidently, I can exude the energy of a 2-year-old puppy on a consistent basis.  So it makes some kind of sense that I live here.

I originally came to San Francisco for school and was lucky enough to stumble upon a city that felt like home. I think what I love most is that it is always able to keep my attention. It is always prepared to play with me. I will never be able to take all the opportunities that the city throws at me. I am able to play soccer, brunch, BBQ, drink, and dance, and that’s just a Saturday. No day I live here is ever the same. It might be the same MUNI train, but there are new characters. It might be the same brunch place, but the stories shared always change. The people I hold dear will always be there, but our roles and relationships are always evolving.

The people I have met here also solidify my love of this city. Just like the town that embraced me, these people are always ready to play. They are open to adventures driving up the coast and scarfing down oysters, dressing up like a bride and milling around downtown, and endless food indulgences at our favorite spots. They support me in ways I never knew were possible while simultaneously keeping me amused and entertained. I am eternally grateful for San Francisco for bringing these people to me. My partners in adventure around this city have become the playmates and soul mates I never knew I could have.

I feel the same about the city. It began as my playmate, an entertaining and enticing location; so different from the more conservative suburb I grew up in. It has now become my home, my soul mate. My most recent living location is in the ever so underrated Outer Sunset. I was hesitant about moving here at first. Now, I am hopelessly in love with my neighborhood. Despite living at the edge, I feel more connected to San Francisco now that I have ever before. From my little tsunami watchtower I am able to watch the waves and then hop a train to marvel at the urban bustle. Though I know my neighborhood will change as I feel the need to play in other parts of the city, I know the energy I am looking for will always be wherever I am. As long as I bring my enthusiasm to play, San Francisco will meet me every time.

***

You can see a slideshow of Kimberly’s photo shoot here.

DeAnne

Corner of 8th and Irving
Inner Sunset
Tuesday afternoon

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How many people have you met in the Bay Area that is a native San Franciscan, or better yet, sixth generation San Franciscan?  I am—and very proud of it!

My family arrived here sometime around the Gold Rush days and never left.  As a young girl growing up in the Outer Sunset, I made frequent visits to my grandparents a few blocks away.  I have fond memories of sitting with them and listening in fascination about the countless “old days” of San Francisco and our family dramas.  Oh, the stories grandma told (we used to call her Mama).  My great-grandmother was murdered in 1922 by her own brother-in-law very close to Union Street, whom by the way, she was having an affair with. The traumatic news traveled as the major headliner that day which is how my grandmother found out about her mother.  She was in a train station in Sonoma when a newsboy was hollering the day’s news.

I remember the story of a distant uncle who owned a saloon on what is now Montgomery Street. He was wearing a family heirloom, a two-carat diamond tietack, when his saloon was robbed.  Without hesitation he swallowed it, no one was getting that diamond! Today in 2010, I wear that diamond as a ring.  Although it’s been through a lot, it’s just as beautiful as ever. My grandmother spoke of the stories she heard of about the 1906 quake. Her own great aunt lived in Golden Gate Park with thousands of others while the city burned around them.  My mother was hanging out at the beach with my father when they noticed smoke by the Cliff House and realized it was Sutro Baths burning down. Life has not seemed to change much as they seemed to do much of same things we do, albeit with a bit more innocence.

I was very lucky to have my grandparents in my life and cared for them until their passing. Today, I have many beautiful belongings that are sentimental to me from past family generations that live on in my home.  As my children grown up, they will hear the stories behind these treasures.

The trophies in the slideshow were brought back from an African Safari by my grandfather in 1964.  Believe me, people think I’m crazy, or at least a bit eccentric for having animal heads in various places throughout the house.

Growing up with them and hearing the countless stories… I wasn’t ever getting rid of them. My grandparents would laugh about the day they drove home from SFO airport with taxidermied animal heads stacked up, tied to the roof and sticking out of the sides of the car.  They said people were just staring in awe!

I was honored and excited when Julie approached me to be a part of her “i live here SF” case study.  I was just a few weeks away from giving birth to my second child this past year—who along with my son—are seventh generation.

The study really made me think about why I love my city so much.  There’s a secure comfort when I stop and listen to the sounds it brings. I love to feel the breeze while in bed on a sunny afternoon with the windows open and the sun casting down. The sounds of people talking and laughing, the streetcar screeching by, the loud sirens blaring and that beautiful foghorn during the night for the ships at bay.  These all make me feel like I am never alone. I am blessed with having a solid foundation of friends, who like me, are natives and till this day, have chosen to live their lives in the city where we grew up.

I guess you could say I cherish the city so much because it’s all I know.  I would like to think all of those people that visit from around the world every day would agree: San Francisco has so much to offer.

I’ve traveled many places in this world and every time I look out of that airplane window upon landing in San Francisco, I get that warm comforting feeling inside. I am so fortunate to live in the most beautiful city in the world. There’s no place like home.

***

You can see a slideshow of DeAnne’s photo shoot here.

(Hopefully someday we’ll have a story of her 7th generation daughter, Lillet, who was born shortly after these photos were taken.)

Caroline

Salutations!

I’m Caroline and I think San Francisco is truly a beautiful place. Though I do dislike some things about it, most of my thoughts about San Francisco are positive. My bad thoughts about S.F. is that the pollution is okay but ugh! The litter! Geez! People are constantly trashing this precious place and I don’t appreciate that.

My great feelings about S.F. are how the community is finally thinking about how the litter is going overboard. Also, I have noticed how more considerate people are now. I am glad and if we can do this every day, we can help the environment improve.

You know, if you’re wondering what being a nine-year old kid is like, you’re lucky ‘cuz I’ll tell you. In San Francisco, life here as a kid, well, let’s just say it’s not boring life but it’s not exotic life either. I think am going to build my family here for now. You never know what life or future brings. But San Francisco is a very special place and I am very lucky to live here.

By Caroline (signed)