City of High Spirits

The delegates, too, may leave their hearts in San Francisco

Many Americans say they hate New York City, and New Yorkers love to loathe Los Angeles. Most people could find something unflattering to say about Boston, Washington or Chicago. But San Francisco is charmed. Just mention the city, and ordinary folks turn weak-kneed, as if recalling some perfect spring or long-lost romance.

San Francisco is beautiful, vivacious. San Francisco is physically dramatic. San Francisco is funky but clean, elegant but spunky. San Francisco is tolerant of crazes (beatniks, hippies, microchip venture capitalists), yet preserves...

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