San Francisco’s Resurgence and Lessons for Los Angeles

Throughout my life, I have moved between San Francisco and Los Angeles. One city is my birthplace, the other has provided a home during various stages. Both cities have a profound influence, shaping the perception of California globally. Recently, however, they seem to be heading in separate directions. Surprisingly, the city redefining expectations today is San Francisco.

Several years ago, San Francisco represented urban decline in headlines. News focused on crime, drug markets, empty streets, business exits, and pessimism regarding the city’s future. This negativity turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. When confidence wanes, businesses hesitate, compounding problems as civic pride dims and decline unfolds.

During those times, daily discussions reflected this sentiment. Upon returning to San Francisco from Los Angeles in 2022, many LA friends deemed the move a mistake. Their assumptions were incorrect. Today, San Francisco appears fundamentally transformed. With cleaner streets, renewed investments, and improved economic indicators, the city has regained self-assurance.

There’s growing consensus that San Francisco’s challenges can be addressed—effective government, business as a collaborator, progress through joint efforts rather than rigid ideologies. This shift in perspective is transformative, achieved through strategic action. Key leaders recognized recovery needed more than intentions.

Mayor Daniel Lurie prioritized economic rebirth and public safety. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, police Chief Derrick Lew, and U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian demonstrated seamless cooperation among law enforcement levels. Business leaders, labor organizations, neighborhood groups, and civic bodies collaborate towards shared goals.

San Francisco’s Democrats have also adapted. The Democratic County Central Committee now adopts a pragmatic governance approach under Nancy Tung’s leadership. She aligns progressive values with economic growth. Public safety support, welcoming businesses, and government accountability have become essential for equitability and prosperity.

This collaborative spirit distinguishes San Francisco, attracting investments and retaining entrepreneurs. It’s bolstering employers’ confidence to grow locally. Most crucially, it reassures residents that their city merits renewed belief.

Ironically, similar discussions once prevalent in San Francisco now echo in Los Angeles. Conversations reflect resignation, doubting bureaucratic change and questioning investment trends. Lowered expectations about the city’s potential pose a threat; cities often mirror residents’ projections.

San Francisco demonstrated this truth. Today, it’s revealing the importance of positive expectations. The city hasn’t compromised progressive values but rediscovered local government’s role in solving issues. Cities can uphold compassion without permissiveness, embrace innovation alongside business, protect vulnerable groups while ensuring safety, pursue ambitious goals with tangible results.

Los Angeles remains magnificent with unique strengths: creativity, entertainment industry, universities, ports, diversity, entrepreneurship. Yet many institutions oppose collaboration. Conversations often highlight obstacles rather than solutions.

San Francisco faced similar barriers years ago. Encouragingly, cities can transform trajectories, political cultures, public expectations. In San Francisco, attitude was pivotal. Shifting from questioning recovery to identifying necessary actions spurred progress. Selecting results over rhetoric, unity over division, and pride over skepticism prioritized the city’s best interests.

This could be San Francisco’s vital lesson for Los Angeles and other progressive cities nationwide. Genuine progress yields remarkable outcomes when embraced over stagnation.