It looks like everybody likes San Francisco. When it comes in conversation, you can see how eyes of a person you are talking to become hazy and dreamy, voice lowers, and body almost comes to trans in admiration.
In reality, it is hard to find a reason to like this city: the weather is… questionable, city dwellers are generally rude and self-absorbed, food is expensive and pretentious, accommodations are… well… let’s not even talk about it. The only reason why I can tolerate this city is a natural beauty that you can still spot in some places where the human touch hasn’t yet spoiled it.
Of course, countless photos depict San Francisco. I am not going to touch iconic landmarks. To this end, the 4 days in San Francisco itinerary is what you need. But instead, I want to share an offbeat side of San Francisco.
![Sunbathing SF style Sunbathing SF style](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/9499684300_7e4b5b69cc.jpg)
As it turned out, the esteemed citizens of San Francisco have a penchant for good-humored attitude. I would have thought twice before dragging a couch through a window. On second thought, what could be better than an impromptu office on a roof?
![Somewhere in San Francisco Somewhere in San Francisco](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/9503742059_222f598402.jpg)
![Golden Gate Bridge: back to the 50s Golden Gate Bridge: back to the 50s](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/9496884057_39a445a6f7.jpg)
![City jungle City jungle](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/9499685188_9a3f063c9c.jpg)
![Individualist Individualist](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/9499683880_1423c81e0a.jpg)
![True, this hill is big True, this hill is big](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/9496885351_1fa5791312.jpg)
![How many applicants did they get this way? How many applicants did they get this way?](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/9496885499_b6510b215d.jpg)
![Yes, this is San Francisco too Yes, this is San Francisco too](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/9499685628_69b0f9e458.jpg)
![Woof! Woof!](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/9496884373_1363571335.jpg)
![San Francisco respects their bicyclists: they got a special traffic light San Francisco respects their bicyclists: they got a special traffic light](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/9499684184_6bf8c3ca7a.jpg)
![Oh my! Oh my!](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/9496883461_84b3d8840e.jpg)
![Kites! Kites!](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/9499684638_c6e21717fa.jpg)
![Somewhere in San Francisco Somewhere in San Francisco](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/9499685034_13b67225e6.jpg)
![Swan Oyster Depot Swan Oyster Depot](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/9499685338_419dd68970.jpg)
![Somewhere in San Francisco Somewhere in San Francisco](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/9499685744_49588063be.jpg)
For city explorers
I have to confess that I am a city gal. Nature is great, but I am always glad about getting back to the paved streets. If you reading this, perhaps you share my city love. In this case, I have a few other urban adventures to share. In particular, navigate with me side streets of Athens. If you are in a mood for modern Japanese architecture, check Kobe at night in 10 pictures. Or explore an urban side of Costa Rica by pounding uneven pavements of its capital San Jose off the beaten path. Last but not least, I got a rare opportunity to spend a day in Chinese Urumqi. This city is off limits now, but here is a blast for not so remote past – what one could see on a layover in Urumqi just a few years back.