Its creative and cultural scene attracts tourists from across the world. Today, San Francisco remains one of the cities with the highest number of artists and arts organisations per capita in the United States.

The Chinatown neighbourhood dates back to the 19th century, while the Mission district has been a hub for Latino and Chicano arts and culture. San Francisco is also one of the most racially and ethnically diverse American cities. Harvey Milk, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was the first openly gay individual to be elected to public office in California in 1977. Meanwhile, the Castro neighbourhood became known for one of America’s first identifiable LGBTQ communities. In 1967 the Haight Ashbury neighbourhood became a gathering place for hippies during the Summer of Love. The Bay Area music scene of the 1960s included bands such as The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane who went on to enjoy international success. In the 1950s it was the home of the Beat poets. Since the mid-20th century San Francisco has been known worldwide as a centre for counterculture. Its economy boomed during the Gold Rush of 1849 and with the arrival of the railways. San Francisco was founded in 1776 as part of Spain’s mission to convert the area’s Native American inhabitants to Catholicism, and was briefly part of Mexico during the mid-19th century.

San francisco opera in the park 2021