City of South San Francisco

I like this little town. Has many diverse restaurants, shops and bars. The police do not mess around. Do not park in a space you should not be in and don’t make illegal turns when the sign says no. The police will see you and will give you a ticket. Clean town and easy walking unlike San Francisco.

Terrible city planning. Confusing roads. Graffiti and trash everywhere. Huge cemeteries as backdrops. It’s only slightly better than Daly city.

The city itself is something of a hidden gem that’s been improving steadily since I’ve lived here. For sure it’s foggy and It’s got ugly/​industrial parts. But it also has attractive neighborhoods, great parks, good local businesses and restaurants, decent schools, a downtown with great bones and a very wide mix of people from all walks of life. True diversity.
Per the city government, they do a good job. The roads get paved and the city is safe. I know the old-​timers may not like it, but I also like the relatively pro-​development stance of the city. We need new shopping and housing and they’re getting it done.
There are problems of course. The city government seems pretty big for a city of this size and demographic. Big salaries, big pensions, big permit fees… the usual story. While the boom times continue, this is not an issue. But times change.

UPDATE: 2 weeks ago 3 city building officials walked through and gave us what they called «the final punch list» of items w. An agreement that this would be the last set of items we needed. We completed the list of 15 items. Inspector came today and found MORE items to add to the list. When we reminded him of the «final punch list» he simultaneously shrugged and said he send us a revised list. So on their 5^th inspection they are still finding things to change/​fix — all the changes apply to things that were there on their last 2 inspections. Either they didn’t pay attention or didn’t notice.
This review is actually for the SSF Fire Department and the SSF Building Department (they don’t have a Unilocal profile apparently) — not their fire fighting skills but the role they play in local business.
I am setting up a new business in SSF — we had the fire dept walk through prior to the start of our build-​out so they could check out the fire sprinklers /​egress /​exits /​exit signs — all the things the fire department would care about. They said everything looked looked fine and suggested we add a couple of additional exit signs.
4 monthly later the building inspector asked the fire dept to sign off on the sprinklers as part of the rough inspection process — the fire dept said no, that they dont sign off until the final inspection: after everything is done and we are essentially ready to open our doors. City would not approve our rough inspection — which meant we count not sheetrock the walls — until the fire dept signed off and fire dept would not sing off. So our construction came to a grinding halt for about 4 weeks while the building dept and the fire dept resolved their communication issues. At no point did the fire dept and the building dept actually speak to one another, instead they had me and my sprinkler contractor running back and forth between them as their means of resolving the issue.
Issue #1. The building we are in underwent a full sprinkler inspection + test less than a year ago and passes. So why are they not ok signing off on the same system they recent passes? We asked but got no direct answer.
Issue #2. They have no sense of urgency for small business owners. Lewis — fire marshal — returns calls at least 2 – 3 days after you leave him a message and simply says «sorry, i am busy»
Issue #3: an inspector (Dennis) from the fire dept finally agreed to come during week 2 of this mess and take a 2^nd «unofficial» look at our sprinklers. He made a few comments, suggested we move a few sprinkler heads. when our sprinkler contractor asked him exactly what he wanted he simply said «i dont know, check the code book». he also suggested we take pictures of 3 sprinkler heads and pay Lewis a visit to get his opinion on location/​type of sprinkler head needed. We went to see Lewis the next day and he tells us «no, Dennis is wrong, you need to submit a full set of revised sprinkler drawing before i will even take a look». 48 hours later we submit a full set of plans. a few days later the city and fire have signed off on the plans and contractor comes in and does his work.
Issue #4: we call the fire dept for an inspection, based on prior conversations Lewis had assured us that he would come take a look to avoid any further issues and/​or complications. Guess what, Lewis is a no show and instead they send a brand new fire inspector — she told us that «this was her first week on the job». after checking the plans and walking through inspecting the work she tells us «everything looks find bu i am not comfortable signing off because i am brand new and i dont want to make any mistakes. I am going to take some pictures and discuss this with Lewis later today. i will be in touch».
it took 4 week and countless hours of time to get 2 city departments to do their jobs.
a process /​decision that should have taken no more than1−2 days to resolve.
there was ZERO sense of urgency or respect for small business owners from the fire dept on this project. i get their job is to keep people safe and i appreciate all they do for the citizens of SSF — but for small business owners trying to get a business opened they are a nightmare, they cost us 4 week of time: that means 1 months rent, 1 months loss revenue, 1 month covering additional utility cost, 1 month delay in getting our doors opened, 1 months of having to reschedule contractors which only causes further delays…
if you are trying to open a business in SSF i’d encourage you to pad your budget A LOT in terms of cost and time to get open — the city/​fire dept is less then helpful or (ii

I have been here many times to get a electrical permit, every time is better than the first. Very friendly and professional. This is a 10 star place.

Probably my third home compared to San Francisco and Daly city. I live right in between Daly city and South San Francisco, so its pretty much the same deal for me.
What’s great about this place? Well, there’s many parks around the area, like Selick, Westbourough, Gellert. These parks are nice, children-​friendly and could be nice for walking your dog or exercising.
El Camino resides here, and there’s lots of good eats here. The closest mall would probably be tanforan, which is pretty nifty, unless you take your chances and go a little more towards Daly City to Serramonte.
There’s a lot of places to eat around here, especially along Grand Ave, and the area itself is really nice sometimes. The SFO airport is here, which is probably the most busiest thing in this city. The SSF Bart is also here, quite convenient if you’re trying to get to SF or DC but can’t drive or can’t catch a bus on time.
During the holidays, the houses along Chesnut are lit up and my god its precious and worth seeing.
One of the most recent things that makes south San Francisco amazing? They finally opened a Philz here hehehe :-).
Yes, fog rolls here faster than a rock rolling down a hill, but what do you expect, its not San Francisco :-P.

Now that I live elsewhere, my opinion of SSF has kind of diminished a lot. I’m genuinely glad I don’t live here anymore. I don’t miss the effing wind all the damn time, for one thing. Augh! Always so damn windy! And it’s just in general kind of drab-​bordering-​on-​ghetto in many places. You can’t drive down Baden without seeing someone walking around in pajama pants and/​or slippers. I still enjoy Sign Hill, Wind Harp Tower, and the accompanying views associated with each… but meh. I wouldn’t move back here, that’s for damn sure.

I love grand avenue. There’s just so much to do and tons of places to eat here. I have grown up here half my life and constantly find cool spots to eat, drink, and hang out. On a beautiful day best if not windy, try climbing Sign Hill because the view will take your breath away. It will give you a better appreciation and aspect of South San Francisco.

Love my city! Grew up living around the Westborough area so it’s right in between Serramonte and Tanforan. There’s lots of parks close by including Gellert park, Westborough park, Buri Buri park, and Sellick park.

So many good things to say about growing up here in The Industrial City. First, my Dad and my friends Dads worked in the plants and mills over on the east side where Genentech is located now, providing good paying jobs to blue collar people so we could live in a house instead of apartments. I appreciate growing up in a diverse place even though in those days, we didn’t think about stuff like that-​we were all blue collar. Playing 500 on Adrian Street with my friends Mike, Jim, Aaron, Paul and Junebug, listening to Mrs Nakano sing Hawaiian and Disney tunes when we Cub Scouts were on a field trip, being welcomed by Mrs. Jiggetts in her home and being scared of Mr. Jiggetts so much I never acted up around them, even when I was in college. Mrs. Thotis, my 2^nd Grade teacher for saving me from a life of illiteracy by giving me books about baseball to read, my friend Dan and his family and all the laughter in their home, running track and Coaches McGowen & Wenger. All great memories. South CIty will always be 5 Star!!!

I grew up here and the boyfriend grew up her. ‘Nuff said. And no. we did not know each other while growing up. He lived near Grand Avenue, I lived in the fog at King and Callan.
I loved my childhood here even in the fog. Lot’s of small playgrounds within biking distance and I could even bike it to Serramonte. :)

Wow! I’m the first to rate good olé So. City???
I have lots to say here, but I’ll keep it short! I grew up in this town in the Brentwood area and back then, it was a pretty cool place to live. I lived right near the Brentwood park and close to the amenities near the El Camino.
I lived here all of about 18 years and it has definitely and dramatically changed! So many new things, including, BART, new homes, geographic and cultural changes… some good, some bad… but it was great when I grew up. Everyone knew each other, everyone was pretty friendly and not a lot of pretentiousness. Many blue collar workers… and The Infamous See’s Candies!
The only downfall I’d say would be the gangs near downtown Spruce and the airplane noise… the schools could do better, too, but I still like So. City… I’m a fan!

I got married here on May 21, 2009. It was way more than I expected. Standing at the top of the stairs with all of my closest friends and family around me. Wayyyy closer than any wedding I have ever been to. They try to discourage you from bringing more than six people, but we had as many as we could get.
Beautiful place to get married, especially if you love san francisco.

Another thing to note, South San Francisco has the best water around. You can drink refreshing filtered water from the tap of your own faucet for free — no need to buy a filter — the crystal clear water comes with neighborhood.

Obviously some haven’t been to SF’s seedier part of towns (all 12 housing projects). Can’t knock SSF. They only have like.1? And it’s like the St Francis Wood of projects.
But SSF pretty much sucked to me.
Never lived there. Have family who do. But I can see why most folks, whenever strangers ask, «hey, where you’re from?» they answer.
«San Francisco.»
haha.

SSF’s City Hall is pretty nice looking as far as city halls go. It was loosely modeled on the neocolonial architectural style of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Built in the 1920s, it remains the site of South San Francisco’s city government. It’s definitely nice to know where your municipal government building is so you can drop in to apply for permits, file claims, and pick up a passport applications, among other things. I do office hours here one day a week and can confirm that the SSF city staff are some of the most helpful, competent, and accessible public servants around.

I just love this city! I have lived here all my life, and hope not to leave. i love the fog, rain, mist, cold, you name it. And what more do you want?! Its close to the airport, its close to the city, its close to malls, and Bart. South City has grown to be so diverse with culture, foods, and shopping. The schools are OK?!, shot out to (formally) Hillside Elementary, Parkway Heights, and South City High! If I could only share all the bad mischief I have done in this city, I know the cops would be after me in a split second. Oyster Point is a great place to go and relax after work or go fishing and spend some time with the locals. It is a great area to look for work as it is an Industrial City you have lots of choices around and in the airport and neighboring cities. The city expands more and more every day with new jobs, commercial bldgs and homes. I hope I never have to move from South City but you never know with Global Warming.
Happy 100^th B-​Day South City!

Ahh, its my hood. I’ve walked up and down almost every single street here and I know almost every cool place there is to go.
Sign hill is beautiful, sliding down the rock letters or just hiking up a little lucca’s sandwich to enjoy on top of the hill with the trees and the view.
SSF: good place to live

I’d like to take a special Unilocal review for where it all started for this Unilocaler.
22 years in this town is an eternity. Time slows down here. Small City, just outside a small well known one. This was my «Wonder Years» town. Winnie Cooper. All of my education. Swimming lessons at Orange Park. Driving lessons around the ‘borough. First dance at ‘borough Middle School.
Even in my last few years in the Industrial City, I always loved rolling around in my Toy Corolla with the broken door handle where dates would have to wait for me to open it for them.
Lots of weird stuff goes on here and I still can’t believe I spent the first 22 years of my life here.

I lived in South San Francisco in some of the happiest days of my life. I was also very fortunate to have everything close by. The Tanforan Mall, fast food, school, and regular convenience stores were always plentiful, not to mention the fantastic food and the great times at Orange Park I used to have.