San Francisco

San Francisco, a city in western California is coextensive with San
Francisco County.  Famous for its beautiful setting, San Francisco is
primarily located on the northern tip of a peninsula at the entrance
to San Francisco Bay.  It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the
west, the strait known as Golden Gate on the north, San Francisco
Bay on the east, and San Bruno Mountain on the south.  Alcatraz,
Angel, Farallon, Treasure, and Yerba Buena islands are part of the
city.

POPULATION

The population of San Francisco increased from 678,974 in 1980 to
723,959 in 1990; the population was 735,315 in 1996.  According
to the 1990 census, whites constitute 53.6 percent of San
Francisco's population; Asians and Pacific Islanders, 29.1 percent;
blacks, 10.9 percent; and Native Americans, 0.5 percent. 

Hispanics, who may be of any race, represent 13.3 percent of the
population.  San Francisco is part of a major metropolitan region
that also includes Oakland and San Jose.  The region's population
increased from 5,368,000 in 1980 to 6,253,000 in 1990, reaching
an estimated 6,940,000 in 2004.

ECONOMY

San Francisco is a leading financial and international trade center
for the western United States.  The downtown financial district
contains the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange; the headquarters of the
12th Federal Reserve District; and numerous banks and corporate
office buildings, including the home office of the Bank of America,
one of the largest banks in the world.  Tourism is also important to
the city's economy.  The San Francisco region is also home to many
companies developing computer software and hardware.  Several
national apparel manufacturers also have headquarters in the city.

EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

The main institutions of higher education in San Francisco are San
Francisco State University (1899), the University of San Francisco
(1855), Golden Gate University (1853), the University of California-
San Francisco (1864), the New College of California (1971), the
University of California Hastings College of Law (1878), the San
Francisco Art Institute (1871), the Academy of Art College (1929),
the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (1917), and a large
community college.  San Francisco has many performing-arts
organizations.  Among the best known are the San Francisco
Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco
Opera, and the American Conservatory Theater.

California Information

The “Golden State” of California has long been one of the most famous settlement spots in the United States.  After the gold rush of 1848, countless people from all over the world came rushing to this geographically diverse land in search of opportunity and prosperity, seldom went away disappointed.

    With almost 100 million acres of land, California is the third largest state in the U.S., next only to Alaska and Texas.  It is nestled along the Pacific Ocean with a coastline of 1,264 miles stretching from the Oregon border in the north to the Mexican border in the south.  It is one of the most culturally diverse states in the country, with its citizens having varied ethnic backgrounds like Native American, African American, Hispanic, European, and Asian.  California climate is also one of the most diverse in the whole United States.  With four different climate zones, one could always find a region in California suitable for their taste. 

    Although mountains and deserts dominate the state’s landscape, real estate lands is not hard to come by.  In fact, one could even find an upscale resort community within the Colorado Desert – Palm Springs.  It has become famous for its warm winter sunshine and its star-studded population.  Other upscale communities can be found in the Bay Area, Central Valley, and the coastal strip between Los Angeles and San Diego.  Low to medium scale real estate, on the other hand, could be found on the outlying communities and upland areas.

    For business and employment considerations, one could always find opportunities a few hours drive away from their home. Employment and business opportunities in the state are among the highest in the nation due to its continually booming industries. 

Tourism remains as California’s leading industry.  Some of the well-known tourist destinations within the state are Disneyland, Hollywood, Golden Gate Bridge, and Sea World.  There are many more similarly famous theme parks, national parks, and landmarks all throughout the state.

    Foreign trade has also been a major industry.  Among the leaders in this industry is the City of Los Angeles, whose ports have continually been one of the most busiest in the country for decades.  In 1994, the city overtook New York as the country’s premier gateway for foreign trade.

    Sports fans would never be disappointed as the state hosts a number of professional teams in different sports.  Among the famous California professional sports teams are: the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Clippers (NBA), Sacramento Kings (NBA), Golden State Warriors (NBA), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), San Diego Padres (MLB), San Francisco Giants (MLB), Los Angeles Angels (MLB), Oakland Athletics (MLB), San Francisco 49ers (NFL), San Diego Chargers (NFL), Oakland Raiders (NFL), Anaheim Mighty Ducks (NHL), and the Los Angeles Kings (NHL).

    National Security matters is not an issue in the State of California.  Seized by the United States Marines at the height of the Mexican-American war (1846 – 1848), San Diego Bay houses the largest concentration of military personnel in any city in the United States.

    With its natural beauty, coupled with teeming opportunities, living in the state of California promises a future worth spending in.