About AskMeSF

AskMeSF: Spreading Love for San Francisco

The doom loop news cycle has been rough on San Francisco. More often than not, locals like me find ourselves defending SF or joking that “we did it all on purpose to keep San Francisco to ourselves!” Generally though, I think most locals are happy for newcomers to move here and for visitors to be pleasantly surprised by San Francisco. Hopefully with this AskMeSF website as a guide, I can help you enjoy your time here. Please do ask SF questions (submit below)!

Who is AskMeSF?

Hello! I’m Ellen. I’m just a local non-native San Franciscan that wants to buck the doom loop narrative and spread the San Francisco love! How? By cleaning up trash, beautifying San Francisco businesses with art (more on that below if you want to know), and creating this website: part insider’s guide, newcomer starter pack, mostly just to help you enjoy San Francisco and answer any questions you might have — AskMeSF!

Let’s be friends!

• Instagram

Why should I listen to AskMeSF?

I’ve been a San Francisco local for almost 8 years now, so while I don’t profess to know everything, I’d like to think that I’ve learned more than a few things along the way!

When I first came here though, I had a LOT of questions. But who I could ask SF questions to? Why are buildings all fairly short? Why is the summer so cold? Why do I have shin splints?! The not so shocking answer to the latter is most definitely, hills.

Some of these answers were easy to find and some required much more sleuthing and combing. It took me quite some time to learn many of San Francisco’s neighborhood charms, cool events and activities, restaurants, local quirks, and what attractions might be fun for me to check out and what might be nice to recommend to any visiting family or friends. Friends of mine actually frequently ask me for my extensive travel documents for Japan, Italy, Spain and others. I am often telling them about new events or restaurants I’ve gone to in San Francisco and many of them are unaware of these events or places despite living here for a long time! I figured why not just help my friends but also help visitors, new residents, and current residents learn more about this wonderful city that I am fortunate enough to live in.

Have a San Francisco question?

Certainly! Send me an email here and I will do my best to give you the inside scoop.

Want to support AskMeSF?

Aw, thanks! AskMeSF is a labor of love. That being said, creating content takes a lot of time! I won’t turn down a coffee. If not, no worries. Maybe next time 🙂

Want to work together?

If you are interested in working together, have any suggestions or feedback, I’m all ears. Please contact me by email here.

AskMeSF Art Projects

Part of my personal initiatives of making San Francisco enjoyable is to beautify the city with art, with a focus on spaces that have been damaged or graffitied and could use some beautification. I find it especially gratifying to help businesses that may not have had the resources to improve their storefronts.

AskMeSF Art Portfolio