The 12 Biggest Debates in San Francisco

Let’s get ready to rumble! Okay, maybe not rumble, but at least… tussle? Why, you ask? Because I’m about to throw out 12 of the biggest debates in San Francisco, CA.
This is a follow-up to my post here on the Movoto Real Estate Blog from May where I covered a whole bunch of things folks should know about San Francisco. That piece—like similar ones about Columbus and Oakland—got people a bit riled up about what’s truly great in this fair city and what’s maybe a bit… inflated in reputation. What follow are by no means the complete extent of the ongoing debates, but they’re definitely among the biggest.
Have a debate to add? Take it to the comments! All we ask is that you keep it classy.

1. Everywhere v. The Mission

Ah, the Mission, a veritable hipster hive. All the city’s neighborhoods have their associated stereotypes (bros in the Marina, VC-backed kids in SoMa), but it’s the Mission that seems to get the brunt of derision. Is it really so bad? They make a killer burrito and I’ve had a lot of fun at their dive bars.

2. Bi-Rite v. Humphry Slocombe

Cardamom and Honey Lavender or Secret Breakfast and Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee? Some enjoy Slocombe’s “crazy” flavors, while others the refined taste of Bi-Rite’s offerings. No one enjoys standing in lines around the block. But, if I had to, I’d do it for two scoops of Bi-Rite. I guess I’m a sucker for herbs in my sweets?

3. Bicyclists v. Motorists

Which are crazier: bicyclists or drivers? I know—it’s a tough call. Whenever I drive in the city, I don’t know who to be more afraid of. I’m always mindful of cyclists, but it never seems to be good enough. I’m still getting my car banged on and receiving dirty looks. Folks in cars are constantly rolling back towards me at red lights and changing lanes in one direction while signaling in the other. It’s enough to make a person swear off leaving the house altogether. If I had to choose one group as the least horrible, I’d give points to the bike riders.

4. The Best Burrito: El Farolito v. Taqueria Cancun v. ???

Speaking of burritos, folks are always debating which taqueria rolls up the perfect one. I’m partial to El Farolito, but I know folks who swear by Taqueria Cancun. It seems like every year there’s a ranking of these places released, yet there’s never any consensus on a numero uno.

5. Dolores Park v. Golden Gate Park

The sheer spectacle of people watching at Dolores Park versus the myriad things to do at Golden Gate Park? Personally, I’ll take the latter, but I’ve got friends who swear Dolores is the place to be. I like it, but sometimes it’s a little… overwhelming.

6. Blue Bottle v. Philz

Starbucks versus Peet’s? Hah! When it comes to SF coffee, those chains aren’t even in the running. No, here the debate rages on over which of these two local Bay Area coffee purveyors brews the best cup o’ joe. I’ve always been more of a Philz guy, personally. I know my joe bro David agrees.

7. Isotope v. Comix Experience

Every Wednesday, I join hundreds of thousands (millions?) of my fellow nerds across the country in descending upon our local comic book shops for the week’s new releases. I work just a few blocks from my favorite shop, Lee’s, but when I go hunting for back issues in the city I hit Comix Experience. It can’t match Isotope’s atmosphere, though.

8. Rainbow Grocery v. Whole Foods

When I’m in the market (sorry) for some bulk food, funky cheese, or something new I probably wouldn’t find at a traditional supermarket, I hit the aisles of Rainbow Grocery. That said, there are still those who prefer Whole Foods, for whatever reason. I find it too hard to wash the evil corporate taste off their veggies.

9. AT&T Park v. Candlestick Park

Sure, it’s only going to be standing until the end of the 2013 NFL season, but it’s worth mentioning that Candlestick Park still has some diehard fans who’ll defend its honor against the newer, nicer AT&T Park ‘til the bitter end. Personally, I’ll take the newer park, $7 beer and all. I’m not sure there’ll be much of a rivalry between AT&T Park and Levi’s Stadium, since it will be “all the way” down in Santa Clara when it opens next year.

10. Lyft v. Sidecar

This is kind of a newer, emerging debate and it’s indicative of others involving startups in the city. In this case, we’ve got two competing services that let people get rides from regular folks via an app. I’ve heard people debating the merits of both, but it usually seems to boil down to subtle differences. Maybe the bigger debate is “would you use one of these services?” I like Lyft; there’s just something about that big, pink mustache they put on the cars.

11. Ocean Beach v. Baker Beach

Yes, I agree, it’s pretty weird that there’s a debate over which beach is better. I mean, they’re big plots of sand with (slightly) different views. But that doesn’t stop people from singing the praises of one over the other. I’m an Ocean Beacher myself, but maybe that’d change if I were a nudist (shudder).

12. San Francisco v. Oakland

I’ll leave you with what is unquestionably the biggest running debate/rivalry/all-out war in the Bay Area: the age-old “our city is better than your city” clash that comes from two metros with such passionate residents being located just a stone’s throw from each other. But, rather than some sort of Twin Cities brotherly love, we get a never-ending conflict. It’s a good thing there’s a lot of water between them, if only for my Oakland-adjacent and adoring self’s safety.