San Francisco is at once a modern day city and a town that is steeped in Old World charm. The famous cable cars gliding along the rolling hills and the Golden Gate Bridge have become major representatives of this "City by the Bay". Since the days of the Gold Rush people have flocked to San Francisco in search of opportunity and success. During the 1960's the city was bursting with flower children that were in search of peace, love and happiness. Some of the most important music created during that time came out of San Francisco. Today the city is a major tourist destination for anyone traveling to the west coast of the United States. San Francisco is absolutely exploding with culture, shopping and dining. It is a city that is easy to fall in love with whether your trip carries you there on business, pleasure or to find your next home.
San Francisco can be divided up into various neighborhoods, each of which is worth taking a look at. Haight-Ashbury is the one most associated with San Francisco because of its strong ties with the hippie community during the Vietnam War. Former flower children will take delight in the unique shops and the laid back cafes. You can easily find the buildings that musicians such as Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead called home. Union Square is located in the heart of San Francisco. Some of the city's most exclusive hotels and shops are in this area. The cultural heartbeat of San Francisco resounds from SoMa, otherwise known as South of Market Street. During the day explore the various museums and artists' studios. Once the sun goes down, dance the night away at any of the happening night clubs. San Francisco's Chinatown makes New York's famous neighborhood look small by comparison. Temples, shops and restaurants stretch over 24 blocks. A walk through Chinatown is a fun and exciting way to learn about another culture. The Financial District boasts some of the most celebrated architecture in all of San Francisco. Click below for more
A Presbyterian church, still a landmark in Novato today, was built in 1896. Until 2006 it housed a number of city offices, but was vacated that year due to safety concerns and condemned; the church has since been renovated. A new city center complex has been erected adjacent to the old City Hall.
The Great Depression of the 1930s had a marked effect on the area as many farmers lost their land. After World War II, Novato grew quickly with the construction of tract homes and a freeway. As the area was unincorporated much of the growth was unplanned and uncontrolled. Novato was finally incorporated as a city in 1960. One of the most important venues of the time (1960 to 1965) was "Western Weekend". Beard-growing contests, sponsored by Bob's Barber Shop, and many other odd activities helped to bring this community together.