Across the globe a number of international cities refer to themselves as the “San Francisco of [insert country name].” And I can’t say that I blame them, given the quality of life, the overall awesomeness and the vanity of our fair city (even if our affordable housing situation leaves a lot to be desired).
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and these metropolises seem to pride themselves on having a je ne sais quoi in common with the City by the Bay. Therefore, if you’re looking to get away but not quite away from it all, these places might be for you.
Valparaiso: The San Francisco of South America
During the Golden Age, sailors referred to Valparaiso as “Little San Francisco,” and while this earthquake-prone port city also has colorful houses built on high hills, it’s the city’s spirit, void of tech bros and start-ups, that is said to dredge up memories of a San Francisco of yore. Like in Lisbon and Melbourne, you can reach beautiful wine country in just a day trip.
Tel Aviv: The San Francisco of the Middle East
Strolling through the sunny Art Deco–dotted streets of Tel Aviv may not evoke the same feelings you’d get from huffing and puffing your way up a San Francisco hill on a foggy morning, yet this metropolis in the Middle East definitely shares some common ground with San Francisco. Like SF and nearby Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv is entrepreneur friendly. Indeed, Israel likes to call itself the “Start-Up Nation,” and Tel Aviv alone has one of the highest concentrations of start-ups in the world. Moreover, Israel is the most progressive country in the Middle East when it comes to LGBT rights, and Tel Aviv is home to the largest Pride event in the Middle East.
Lisbon: The San Francisco of Europe
You may leave your heart in San Francisco, but there is a good chance you’ll fall in love with Lisbon. San Francisco itself feels a bit European, with our Bohemian mindset and beautiful architecture. With its cable cars, hills, fog, close proximity to vineyards and a suspension bridge (made by the same company that built the Bay Bridge), Portugal’s capital city could easily be mistaken for San Francisco if one were glancing at an Instagram post sans caption.
Lisbon also got rocked pretty good by an earthquake in 1755 — something San Francisco is no stranger to.
Melbourne: The San Francisco of Australia
Hipsters need vacations too, and according to at least one San Franciscan expat, Melbourne’s pour-over-coffee scene is just one of the many reasons why hipsters will blend right in in Melbourne. Indeed, while the Australian city is just as hipster friendly as San Francisco, that’s not the only similarity; Melbourne is in a prime spot near Australia’s equivalent to Highway 1, the Great Ocean Road. And just as we have Napa Valley, Melbourne is a 90-minute drive from one of Australia’s premier wine regions.
