San Francisco, with fewer than 800,000 citizens, is a small city wearing big city attributes. Once called Yerba Buena, we were a melting pot long before it became acceptable.

Originally populated by nomadic Indians, Russian fur trappers and Spanish explorers, Mexican colonialists would follow, along with pioneers from other parts of the country looking for a fresh start. The Gold Rush would attract people to California and San Francisco from every corner of the world, bringing language and customs which find acceptance and assimilation here like few other metropolitan centers.

We can boast great opera, ballet and symphony as well as legendary jazz, cabaret and blues. The movie business grew up in the South of the state and has attracted filmmakers to our city because of its unique setting and stunning beauty. Close to the abundance of land and sea, we offer great international cuisine and restaurants, some of which are ranked as being the best the world has to offer.

San Francisco has always been a place with few restrictions for the determined. Society in this city changes with the values and customs of those who seek to leave their imprint and that type of person never stops coming to a place of such limitless opportunity and challenge.

I hope you enjoy Baghdad by the Bay, and that you tell your friends and colleagues about us. I also hope you'll consider sharing your opinions and experience about the life of this great City we call home.

Stu Smith
Publisher