Hi, I’m Ellen — A Local Non-Native San Franciscan

I’m a Taiwanese American who moved to San Francisco from New York City in 2018 for my husband’s job. I didn’t love it at first — I missed the pace and energy of New York. But I gave SF a chance, and somewhere between the cycling, the microclimates, the incredible food scene, and the access to nature, I fell completely in love with this city.

Now, almost 8 years later, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I’ve cycled through Golden Gate Park hundreds of times, eaten my way through every neighborhood, and become that person who won’t stop talking about San Francisco to anyone who’ll listen.

What You’ll Find on Ask Me SF

I’ve published 40+ in-depth articles covering everything a visitor, newcomer, or long-time local might want to know about San Francisco. My most popular guides include:

• The Perfect 3-Day SF Itinerary — my tried-and-true guide for first-time visitors
• Best Restaurants in San Francisco — a food lover’s deep dive into every cuisine
• Best Neighborhoods in SF — where to stay, eat, and explore
• Is San Francisco Safe? — an honest local take on the #1 question visitors ask
• What’s SF Weather Really Like? — microclimates, fog, and layers explained
• Things Nobody Tells You About SF — the real insider knowledge
• A Local’s Guide to Golden Gate Park — my favorite place in the city
• Where Should I Live in SF? — neighborhood breakdowns for every lifestyle

I cover visiting SF, living in SF, neighborhoods, food and drink, activities, free things to do, and more. I’m especially passionate about championing lesser-known neighborhoods like the Excelsior, Ocean Avenue, West Portal, and Dogpatch — not just the usual Marina/Mission/North Beach suspects.

My Approach

I write like I’m texting a friend — warm, opinionated, and honest. I’m a self-described coffee snob, a food obsessive, and an enthusiastic cyclist. I have strong opinions about restaurants, and I’m not afraid to share them. I’ll tell you which “tourist traps” are actually worth visiting (some are!) and which hidden gems only locals know about.

I’m anti-gatekeeping. Whether you’ve lived here for 20 years or you’re planning your first visit, you’re welcome here. San Francisco is a city worth loving, and I want to help you love it too.

As Featured In

I was a guest on the Storied SF podcast, where I talked about my journey from NYC transplant to passionate SF local, my art beautification projects, and why I started Ask Me SF.

AskMeSF Art Projects

Beyond writing, I’m passionate about beautifying San Francisco through art. I focus on spaces that have been damaged or graffitied and could use some love — especially helping small businesses improve their storefronts. I was a recipient of an SF Beautiful grant for this work.

AskMeSF Art Portfolio