SF is popular because it's the only place near a huge number of jobs on the peninsula that's not a generic bedroom community. If someone dropped you on El Camin

SF is popular because it's the only place near a huge number of jobs on the peninsula that's not a generic bedroom community. If someone dropped you on El Camino Real anywhere between San Jose and San Francisco, you would have a very hard time telling which city you're in. They're all basically the same. (For those who don't know, El Camino is a major street which passes through most city downtown areas, and goes up and down the peninsula). The bay area cities tried to maintain their "suburban" image, and ended up all being the same.