San Francisco | Citizenarts

You may have heard about some dire headlines:

"San Francisco’s Decline is a Warning to Other American Cities"

"How ‘Woke’ Policies Turned Downtown San Francisco into an Urban Drug-den"

"San Francisco Plunges into Terrifying 'Doom Loop'"

The iconic American city where Tony Bennett "left his heart" to its stunning beauty and allure, now -- some say -- serves as a cautionary tale of a "doom loop" urban center. From a dynamic metropolis of business, arts, culture, architecture, tourism, hilly topography and breathtaking views, to a historic city teetering into decay.

Is this so... or are reports of San Francisco's demise greatly exaggerated?

CITIZENARTS founder Jim Gabbe wanted to know. A historian, journalist, photographer, educator and one-time Bay Area resident courtesy of the U.S. Army, Jim hit the road for the "streets of San Francisco." Over three visits in the last year, he traveled with current and former residents throughout the city. Chatting with locals, visiting iconic and hidden spots, observing with his own eyes and reporting in real time.

What's the real story? Take a podcast "tour" as Jim shares observations of every ilk, while traversing San Francisco's hilly streets, including a 290-foot trek up Oakhurst Lane Stairs, and a venture into the notorious Tenderloin neighborhood. Listen for yourself in the new CITIZENARTS podcast, "San Francisco: Poster child for big city decline? Or vibrant, iconic city by the bay?" available anywhere you get your favorite podcasts.

Gratitude and thanks to Stan Green, Richard Platt and our other explorers and guides

Jim Gabbe - Host and director

Jill S. Gabbe - Executive producer

Jeff Lewis - Producer and technical director

Photo credit: James I. Gabbe
Music credit: OTE / The Poppy Red Garden / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

While most recording was done by Jim during his travels, CITIZENARTS acknowledges with gratitude the following sources for added sound effects: Epidemic Sound, Ambient_House from Pixabay, freesound_community from Pixabay, Geoffrey Burch from Pixabay

Please visit citizenartscreative.org/podcasts to view our library of programming exploring important civic, social and cultural matters especially pertinent to these times.

We'd love your feedback: jeff.lewis@citizenartscreative.org IG: @citizenartsedu, FB: @citizenartsedu, X: @citizenartsedu, Threads: @citizenartsedu