Written by Jiordan Castle
As major cities go, San Francisco is one the cleanest, friendliest, most eclectic places in the country, if not the world. Students generally come to USF for the surrounding city and for good reason. There’s always something to do or see, whether it’s eating brunch in the Mission, attending an opera or ballet, joining a pub crawl on Polk Street, or seeing a movie at the Kabuki theater in Japantown. There are always new discoveries to be made, and even some inexpensive or free events to attend, like the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park.
Busy and overwhelming as the city can sometimes seem, San Francisco’s natural beauty is apparent from sites like Twin Peaks or the Golden Gate Bridge. If the stress of school gets to be too much, students should look no further than Ocean Beach or Fisherman’s Wharf to get a quick peek at the ocean, both of which are no more than a half-hour bus ride in either direction from campus. Culturally and aesthetically, the city is especially diverse. Certain courses at USF take students on field trips to the city’s museums and historical sites, while others encourage community service and volunteer work at local churches, parks, and tourist attractions like the San Francisco Zoo. There’s no other college town quite like it, with bars, bike shops, farmers' markets, and coffee shops practically on every corner. If you’re looking for a passionate, diverse community in one of the country’s most interesting cities, then come to San Francisco.