San Francisco is one of the most unique cities in the world, and it comes with a distinct set of unspoken rules that can make or break your time in the Bay. We asked our followers for some must-know rules to survive in San Francisco, and boy did you deliver!
Man cannot live on burritos alone.
If you drop it in the TL it belongs to the TL…
This city doesn’t really “dress up” so be prepared to stand out if you like to.
Expect that an earthquake could happen any time of day or night. Store water and emergency supplies at home and have a bug-out bag ready.
Don’t go swimming in the water at Ocean Beach. There’s a killer undertow. It’s the deadliest beach in California.
Be sure your apartment is rent controlled.
Curb your wheels when parking on a slope!
Don’t drive a manual car.
Don’t move here and complain about it… there are plenty of us who would be happy to have your parking space!
Summer is two weeks in October.
Even if it’s uphill to get there it’s still uphill on the way back 🤪
If there is a spare seat/section on a busy Bart carriage – there is a good reason for it 😷
You got to be either rich or homeless to live in San Francisco.
Don’t call it Frisco unless you are born and raised in Frisco 👏
SF is “The City .” SFO is the airport.
Bring a lawn chair to the DMV.
Walk like you know where you’re going.
Keep your humanity intact no matter how many street people you encounter.
Never pass up a chance to use a clean restroom.
If you can’t find a street sign at an intersection, look down at the sidewalk. The street names are stamped into the concrete.
Remember to stop and appreciate a good Drag Queen! 😚
Pedestrians, bikers, and coyotes have the right of way even if they are drunk and or naked.
Do not wear open toed shoes, ever!
Go to the top of Hyatt in Union Square for happy hour, the view is spectacular.
It’s pronounced “Gauff.”
Always bring a hoodie when leaving the house. Doesn’t matter if it’s sunny. Always bring the hoodie.
If the sidewalk is wet, it’s urine. Step accordingly.
Drive in the middle lane.
If you find a parking spot it’s probably not a legal spot.
Use the bike directions on google maps to avoid hills.
Left turns are almost never a thing. Go around right.
There will always be a happy hour somewhere.
The city evolves out from under you and it always feels like it used to be better but the truth is that the city didn’t change, you did.
What’s cool in Ohio is not cool here!
Mind your own business.
Try a new cuisine whenever you go out to eat in SF. We have such amazing choices, and you can literally be transported by the food and the cultural diversity.
ALWAYS look before crossing streets, even if you have a green signal… Pedestrians might have the right of way in California… But, that doesn’t mean sh*t if you’re dead…
When you park always check the closest sign for the rules and remember that 12:01 AM is the saddest name for Midnight on that sign!
SF weather is like mood swings. Stay steady and ready with a hoodie fo sho fo sho 🍻
Never, under any circumstances, leave anything in your car.
Just GO! Enjoy such a beautiful city! Which, despite some of its deficiencies (like many other cities on earth) it is still fun, beautiful, and full of art!
Scroll through our original Facebook and Instagram posts for even more must-know SF survival tips.
Featured image: Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash