Regarded as an epicenter of momentous events, high-tech innovations, and modernistic movements, San Francisco is renowned for its outstanding living standards, prosperous economy, cultural diversity, and liberal society. The dynamic environment in the city offers amazing opportunities for pursuing a successful career in high technology or in green energy, in banking services or in the arts. Many major high-tech corporations, banking institutions and a number of Fortunate 500 companies are headquartered in San Francisco, but although entrepreneurship is the driving force for the economic prosperity in the area, tourism and arts are also in boom. The iconic images of Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and many other local landmarks with great historical and cultural heritage turn San Francisco into a popular tourist destination, while the great variety of outdoor pursuits available in the region and the abundance of sports and cultural events in the city attract nationwide attention all year round.

San Francisco is located on the West Coast of the United States, at the north end of the San Francisco Peninsula, and includes a large part of the San Francisco Bay and several islands within its boundaries. The shoreline, however, has been considerably expanded as entire neighborhoods, such as the Marina and Mission Bay, have been built on areas of landfill. Such land is typically unstable and prone to liquefaction which may result in extensive damage to properties built upon it. Actually, large areas of filled marshlands and bay mud that are subject to liquefaction have been urbanized. This poses a variety of great risks as the saturated and weakened soil is not secure enough to support building structures. Besides, the coastal location makes the region vulnerable to Pacific Ocean tsunamis and tidal floods.

The Pacific Ocean that surrounds San Francisco on three sides has a strong influence on the climate in the area. The cold currents that pass near the San Francisco Bay moderate temperature fluctuations and result in favorable weather throughout the entire year. Winters are mild and summers are characterized by cool winds and fog. However, ferocious Pacific storms typically develop between late November and early March and often bring both substantial rainfall and strong wind gusts that can cause extensive property damage. Strong offshore winds periodically develop in the fall and pose a substantial fire hazard as this is the warmest and driest period of the year in the San Francisco region.

However, the greatest natural hazard for San Francisco, as well as for the entire state of California, is associated with earthquakes because of the numerous major active faults in the region.

Restoration Services in the City by the Bay

After the major San Francisco earthquake of 1906, the city witnessed the fastest and most impressive restoration process in the history of the country. Rebuilding was rapid and performed on a grand scale, an auxiliary water supply system was constructed and adequate measures were taken to limit the extent of the damage in the event of another catastrophic earthquake. The memory of the experienced fire inferno and the sustained damage however remains engraved in people’s minds, so the city supports one of the most effective and best developed restoration industries in the country. In the unfortunate event of a disaster, you can rely on quality local disaster restoration and cleaning services that have advanced equipment and proper qualification to provide valuable assistance to homes and businesses in San Francisco, CA. Whether you experience property damage from a natural disaster or a fire or any other accident, your best course of action is to call the professionals as soon as possible – you will have your property restored in a speedy and efficient manner and will be able to put your life back on track quickly.

How to Stem the Rising Tide: Water Damage Restoration in San Francisco, CA

Flooding is not a common occurrence in San Francisco but violent storms, torrential rains, and coastal flooding (the risk of exceptionally high tides and tsunami is low but nevertheless it is always a good idea to stay alert) may occasionally cause troubles and result in water damage. Properties built upon areas of landfill are in particular danger as the soil becomes too unstable when saturated and the buildings may even collapse. So, at the first signs of water damage in your home or commercial building, contact local water damage restoration professionals to avoid severe problems and extensive property losses. Don’t forget that you can also experience water damage from non-natural factors such as burst pipes, leaking fixtures, and sewage backups, despite the advanced water supply system in San Francisco.

You should never ignore water damage, however minor the first signs may be, because it will continue to spread throughout the structure and cause further troubles. Water damage restoration companies will respond quickly to limit the damage and will find the source of the problem. Appropriate measures will be taken to eliminate it and all excess water and moisture will be removed with specialized equipment. The professionals will repair or replace any damaged materials and will help you restore your property to its former practical and aesthetical value.

Shrouded in Fog: Mold Remediation in San Francisco, CA

The blanket of fog laying over Golden Gate Bridge in the early summer mornings may add to the captivating beauty of the scenery in San Francisco, but Fog City experiences too much of this mysterious natural phenomenon. The high levels of humidity in your surroundings may not have such an instantaneous devastating effect on your property as flooding or fire does, but the resulting mold growth can cause substantial damage as well. When the right conditions are present, mold will spread quickly through your home or commercial building and will not only cause structural damage but will also raise the risks of allergies and infections.

So, mold must be quickly removed by certified professionals in order to prevent severe problems and to ensure your peace of mind. Mold removal specialists in San Francisco use quality cleaning products and effective methods to completely remove the mold even from the most difficult to access and/or commonly overlooked areas. What is more, professional mold removal services have proper dehumidifying equipment to fully dry the premises and remove any residual musty odor. Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent mold from growing back and to ensure the healthy environment in your home or business area.

Don’t Let Your Dreams Go Up in Smoke: Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in San Francisco, CA

If you have chosen to make San Francisco your permanent home, you have either found a lucrative position in one of the major corporations headquartered in the region or have been attracted by the natural beauty, liberal politics, successful entrepreneurship, and incredible ethnical, religious, linguistic and ideological diversity, typical of the city. Either way, your dreams of a bright future and sweet life can be literally turned to ashes in the event of a fire.

Fires are unpredictable disasters that can destroy your entire property and even threaten your life unless appropriate measures are immediately taken to contain and extinguish the flames. However, even when the fire is out, the soot and corrosive byproducts can cause permanent damage in the aftermath. To salvage as much of your property as possible, call local fire damage restoration professionals right after the flames in your home or business in San Francisco have been extinguished. The experienced technicians use up-to-date cleaning products and methods to prevent the damage from spreading and carefully remove the soot from any affected household materials. They can also provide content cleaning and pack-out services as well as effective deodorization practices to completely restore your property to a flawless condition.

On the Verge of Collapse: Construction Services in San Francisco, CA

When you take into consideration the great number of active faults in the region, as well as the presence of soils that naturally amplify shaking and the large areas of filled marshlands and bay mud that are significantly urbanized, it comes as no surprise that the probability for frequent tremors in the San Francisco area is very high which makes earthquakes a significant hazard for the city. Even a minor earthquake can cause substantial damage and pose great risks when a building is not stable and secure enough. So, if a residential or commercial property has been damaged to the extent that the core of the structure is left unstable, it needs to be secured right away to avoid collapses in the event of an earthquake. The local restoration professionals in San Francisco, CA provide construction services to help stabilize and/or rebuild homes and buildings whose integrity has been compromised or properties that have already been heavily damaged. Take advantage of their professional assistance to ensure your peace of mind and preserve or restore the good overall condition of your surroundings.

Everything You Need to Know about the City by the Bay: Your Complete Guide to San Francisco

The City of Bridges is magnificent – day and night, summer and winter, work and fun, San Francisco provides unparalleled opportunities in every aspect of life. So, what to expect from San Francisco?

Patches of Fog over Rolling Green Hills: Natural Phenomena and Weather in Fog City

San Francisco was built on 43 hills and many of its neighborhoods are named after the hill on which they are situated. San Francisco’s tallest hill, Mount Davidson (925 feet high), is crowned with an impressive cross built back in 1934. Another prominent part of the city skyline – Sutro Tower (a large red and white radio and television transmission tower) is also located in the region. The most popular overlook spot of the city, however, is provided by Twin Peaks – a pair of picturesque hills forming one of the highest points in the city.

Nowadays, more than 50 hills, as well as several islands, fall within the limits of San Francisco and define the present cityscape and the development of the infrastructure. Treasure Island is particularly remarkable, as it was artificially constructed from material either dredged from the bay or resulting from tunneling through Yerba Buena Island during the construction of the Bay Bridge. As already mentioned, the typical liquefaction in such areas may result in severe water damage and even collapses.

Because of the high hills in the geographic center of the city and the influence of the Pacific Ocean currents, San Francisco weather exhibits some variance in the climate in different parts of the city. The hills protect the eastern neighborhoods from the fog and the cold winds experienced in the west regions that are also characterized by more extensive rainfall and cloudy weather all year round. Snowfall is not typical of the city as the mean monthly temperature remains over 50°F (10°C) even during the cooler rainy period between November to April. The dry period from May to October is mild and warm, with a temperature peak in September of about 63°F (17.5 °C). In the summer, the city experiences characteristic cool winds and trademark fog caused by low pressure resulting from rising hot air throughout the interior valleys of the Golden State.

The Pulsating Heart of The Bay Area: Economy in the City that Knows How

San Francisco was rightfully nicknamed “the City that Knows How” as it managed not only to recover successfully after the great devastation caused by the 1906 earthquake, but also to develop one of the most prosperous and stable economies in the country. Even during the Great Depression, San Francisco preserved its thriving financial situation and completed two grand projects – the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. All the banks in the city remained stable and San Francisco experienced rapid growth both in population and business activity. Tourism gradually turned into one of the most important segments of the city’s economy, surpassed only by the high-tech industry. With the construction of iconic landmarks and the rapid cultural uplift in the region, San Francisco now attracts more than 18 million visitors a year and accounts for about one out of seven jobs in the city. The large hotel infrastructure and world-class convention facilities gave a considerable boost to the tourist economy in San Francisco and became a prerequisite for the great success of the restaurant and hotel industries.

Although the City by the Bay has been a principal trading and banking center ever since the Gold Rush, the growing fields of high technology, biotechnology, and medical research have recently become the driving force for its economic prosperity. A large number of people employed in the nearby Silicon Valley have chosen to live in San Francisco and many of the high-tech companies in the region have their headquarters or offices in the city. Over the last decade, San Francisco has attracted an increasing share of venture capital investments, further enhancing its diversified service economy. Professional services are available in all spheres – law, public relations, architecture and design, as well as first-class restoration and specialized cleaning services, such as trauma scene cleaning, hoarding and estate cleaning, etc.

Trauma Scene Cleaning Services in San Francisco, CA

There is a notable contrast in the income of different social strata in San Francisco which inevitably results in increased crime rate. In recent years the city has experienced more than 20% jumps in both the rate of property crime, such as burglary, and the rate of violent crime, such as assault. If you encounter a crime scene involving serious injury or death, you need to take the right actions immediately.  Trauma scenes typically involve biohazard materials such as bodily fluids that can spread infections and diseases if they are not handled properly. Response time and experience are of paramount importance in such situations, so you need to call local trauma scene cleanup services immediately. The professionals use appropriate personal protective gear, specialized cleaning products, and the most advanced equipment in the industry to safely remove and dispose of all biohazard materials.  Their professional and compassionate approach is probably the most significant prerequisite for restoring order and sanity to the lives of those affected.

Hoarding and Estate Cleaning Services in San Francisco, CA

Homelessness has long been a major problem in San Francisco but hoarding behavior has lately become an even more bothersome issue. Hoarding is a mental disorder that results in severe indecisiveness and inability to categorize items according to their actual value. As a consequence, hoarders cannot throw anything away as they are afraid of losing something important. However, their compulsive habit of hoarding objects ranging from paper and food containers to broken devices and animals can create dangerous and unsanitary living conditions in their homes.  Understanding the mind of a hoarder is extremely difficult because the reasons for their behavior may vary greatly – from unresolved childhood issues to a recent psychological trauma. What matters is to find the right approach to help them overcome their fears and realize what is wrong, so that they can come up with a solution and move on with their lives. Appropriate hoarding cleanup is an essential step in this process. Local hoarding cleaning services in San Francisco have adopted a comprehensive approach that includes establishing a personal connection with the hoarder, devising and implementing a cleaning plan, and monitoring the individual afterwards in order to provide valuable assistance to the affected people.  Homes are restored to safe living conditions and valuable items are salvaged during the cleanup process. The hoarders are put in touch with professionals who can help them overcome the emotional impact of their complex anxiety disorder and resume a normal lifestyle.

Local cleaning professionals also provide floor cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, air duct cleaning and other janitorial services to help create a cleaner and healthier environment by removing the dirt and dust that has built up in your home or building.

With such well-developed services, over 30 international financial institutions, six Fortune 500 companies, compelling local attractions, and premium jobs available in the region, it comes as no surprise that San Francisco has been designated as an Alpha World City, and ranks in 10th place among the top global financial centers.

The upscale living standards, however, also mean high housing prices and high overall costs of living. Nevertheless, food is very good and affordable, while the well-developed public transportation system allows you to cut on fuel costs and commute time. The educational system is also very efficient as you can find a number of reputable schools that offer a friendly environment, top quality education, and a variety of extra school activities intended to boost your young ones’ passion for science, arts, handicrafts, etc. Many distinguished colleges and seminaries are located in San Francisco and the density of college graduates in the region is the second highest in the country.

Fan Facts and Things to Do in San Francisco

There are so many exciting things to do, astonishing locations to explore and inspiring projects to embark on that life in San Francisco is nothing short of a remarkable adventure.

History, Art, and Inventions

• During the gold rush, the San Francisco’s port was blocked by a great number of abandoned ships that were later torn apart and repurposed into public buildings and homes;
• Many world-famous inventions were made or first promoted in San Francisco – the Irish coffee, the Chinese fortune cookie (first served by a Japanese who operated the Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park at the beginning of the 20^th century), Denim jeans (sold to the Gold Rush miners who needed tough yet comfortable clothing) and many others;
• Several unique museums are located within the city limits:
• Built in 1894 for the California Midwinter International Exposition, the H. de Young Museum is considered the most remarkable art museum in the western U.S. Completely remodeled in 2005, the building features a perforated copper tower and its exterior is designed to acquire patina with age. It houses an impressive collections of art – about 27000 paintings, sculptures, crafts and textiles from Africa, Oceania and the Americas dating from the last three centuries;
• The Asian Art Museum displays artifacts from a period of over 6000 years of historical and cultural development in various Asian countries;
• The California Academy of Sciences is a natural history museum with one-of-a-kind living roof. It hosts the Morrison Planetarium and Steinhart Aquarium, all of which provide unique experiences to their visitors;
• The Exploratorium is an interactive science museum where you can test your virtual design skills;
• Two museum ships are anchored near Fisherman’s Wharf – the SS Jeremiah O’Brien Liberty ship and USS Pampanito submarine;
• The Cable Car Museum is a reproduction of the cable car power house which drives the cables and the car depot.

Landmarks

• The Golden Gate Bridge is recognized worldwide. More than 9 million visitors cross the 1.7-mile (2,737 meter) bridge annually – actually walking or biking along the bridge in the early morning hours provides a truly gratifying experience as you have the chance to take amazing pictures of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog;
• If you get on the famous cable cars in San Francisco, you will be able to brag about taking a ride in the only National Historical Monument that can move. The cable cars are a relic of the pre-automotive age –a resourceful invention meant to take passengers up and down the steep hills of San Francisco. They are still running today to provide a breathtaking sightseeing experience to the visitors of the City by the Bay;
• Alcatraz Island, simply referred to as “The Rock”, served as a maximum-security prison for several decades. Today you can freely roam the island haunted by the memories of notorious inmates such as Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert “the Birdman” Stroud. You can add to the thrill by taking an audio cell house tour that recounts distressing tales of prison life, including the numerous tragic attempts at escape, or a night tour on a creepy, foggy evening;
• You can see the famous sea lions at PIER 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf – for the last 25 years a colony of sea lions has taken residence at the west-side docks and they have become a very popular attraction among tourists and locals alike. Naturalists from the Aquarium of the Bay are stationed nearby to answer the questions of all who have come to admire the playful sea creatures;
• San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the most dynamic, colorful and cheerful regions to visit in San Francisco. The Chinatown Gate is traditionally guarded by foo dogs (to ward off evil spirits) and the souvenir shops along Grant Avenue offer a mind-boggling variety of trinkets, decorations, and knickknacks. However, you can also purchase some quality ginseng and herbal remedies, as well as dried fish and delicacies such as live quail and water eels. Temples and streets in old Chinatown are festooned with gold paper lanterns, calligraphy and incense, while numerous traditional restaurants offer exquisite tastes from the Far East;
• Once covered in grass and sand dunes, Golden Gate Park was created back in the 1860s when thousands of non-native trees, shrubs, and flowers were planted to result in three miles of landscaped gardens, forests, and meadows. Various cultural and natural attractions are situated within the park to offer a quick escape to nature amidst the busy city life – the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden or San Francisco Botanical Garden will delight your senses and restore your inner harmony. You can practice different recreational activities in the park, visit the old windmill or just catch a glimpse of the native wildlife. Actually, it was one of the Golden Gate Park residents – a grizzly bear named Monarch – that became the model for the bear on California’s state flag.
  

  The most unusual residents of San Francisco are certainly worthy of admiration.

Music and Restaurants

• Music and society – a magnet for America’s counterculture, San Francisco has always been the starting point of modernistic movements in all aspects of life: the hippie culture reached its peak in San Francisco during the 1967 Summer of Love, the gay rights movement celebrated several major accomplishments in the city, Fog city pioneered in implementing recycling programs and green energy, local theater companies have been noted for taking risks and adopting innovative approaches and techniques, etc. The great social diversity in the area and the progressive ideas have resulted in a tolerant and liberal community where discrimination or prejudice is less of an issue;
• Cuisine – the farm-to-table movement also pioneered in San Francisco and resulted in a cult to organic, seasonal and local food. The entire Bay Area is famous for its organic farming and sustainable agriculture that have led to the development of an innovative and attractive local cuisine served in charming family restaurants;
• The famous Caffe Trieste – the first coffee shop in San Francisco, is very popular among celebrities (writers, actors, musicians, etc.). Francis Ford Coppola, for example, visited it on a regular basis and supposedly wrote most of the Godfather Trilogy in it.

San Francisco is one of the places where new ideas, ideals, and behaviors are born in a prosperous and dynamic environment that will certainly challenge your own points of view and will stimulate your personal development.