Culinary Central

Studying and Living in San Francisco

July 1, 2010 •Le Cordon Bleu •San Francisco • 0 Comments

From its beginning as a sleepy little village on the San Francisco Bay to its current status as one of the world’s great cities, San Francisco has held the imaginations of several generations as a place of freedom, refinement, and rebirth.  Home of the Gold Rush and the Summer of Love, San Francisco is a haven for both those looking for commercial success and for those striving for liberal ideals that have little to do with money.

San Francisco is a major international tourist destination with its eclectic mix of modern and Victorian architecture, Lombard Street, cable cars, Chinatown, its unique neighborhoods or districts, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It is also one of the best restaurant cities in America, making it a perfect place for culinary students to start their careers.

Let’s take a look some of the amenities that make San Francisco a great place to study and live.

Dining and Nightlife
The San Francisco nightlife is as varied as each of its distinct neighborhoods. Nightclubs, bars and lounges offer up entertainment for every taste and then some.  There is everything from simple shot and beer bars to elaborate night clubs that play to the jet set crowd. Music clubs play everything from Top 40 and country to hip- hop and metal. Many places have strict dress codes so leave your shorts and Tevas at home.

Along with New York City, San Francisco is one of the top two restaurant cities in the country – certainly the best on the West Coast. With a population of just over 800,000 and a restaurant count of more than 3,500, San Francisco has the greatest number of restaurants per capita than any other city in the country. 

That means plenty of dining opportunities for even the most discriminating palate. Bring your appetite and your sense of adventure because half of the fun of dining out in San Francisco is trying something new, of which there is no shortage. San Francisco has year-round access to organic produce, seafood, free-range meats, and world-class wines. And San Francisco chefs happily combine them to create some of the most progressive dining opportunities in the world.

Outdoor Activities
Outdoor buffs will love San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, one of the most visited national parks in the country.  It provides year-round opportunities for swimming, biking, surfing, sun bathing, hiking, and camping. Visitors can easily find themselves part of an impromptu pickup game of soccer, rugby, or ultimate Frisbee.
Looking for something new and different? Stop by old Fort Funston and try hang gliding. Or just take your camera and grab a few photos.

Cultural and Performing Arts
Cultural opportunities abound in San Francisco. It’s a creative and energetic city and proud of its artistic output. San Francisco boasts both the San Francisco Opera, the second largest opera company in North America, and the Fillmore, widely regarded as the epicenter of the hippy movement and still a great place to see your favorite band.

San Francisco’s theater district rivals that of any city with several venues staging Broadway and original productions.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) hosts more than 600,000 visitors annually. It is the permanent home to imports works from artists such as Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Clyfford Still, Ansel Adams, and Marchel Duchamp.

Professional Sports
The Bay area and nearby cities of San Jose and Sacramento provide sports fans with numerous opportunities to cheer for their favorite teams and sports.

• Major League Baseball
• The Oakland Athletics (American League)
• San Francisco Giants (National League)
• National Football League
• Oakland Raiders
• San Francisco 49ers
• National Basketball League
• Golden State Warriors
• Sacramento Kings
• National Hockey League
• San Jose Sharks
• Major League Soccer
• San Jose Earthquakes

With all of this and much more to offer students and visitors alike, San Francisco is a perfect place to not only live and learn but to begin to find a place in the world.


This article is presented by California Culinary Academy. California Culinary Academy offers Le Cordon Bleu training in culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in San Francisco, California. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/San-Francisco for more information.

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