Learn How to Pronounce San Francisco | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce San Francisco
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)
Meaning and Context
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a major cultural, commercial, and financial nexus on the West Coast of the United States. Founded in 1776 and incorporated in 1850, this Northern California city is globally recognized for its iconic landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, constructed in 1937, cable cars, and the former island prison of Alcatraz. Its dramatic geography, defined by steep hills and bordered by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, creates a unique urban landscape. As a premier tourist destination, the city's diverse neighborhoods—from the historic Chinatown to the countercultural Haight-Ashbury—offer rich experiences. Furthermore, its proximity to Silicon Valley has cemented its status as a tech hub, attracting innovation and venture capital, while its enduring role as a center for progressive social movements and a vibrant arts and food scene continues to define its eclectic identity.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The primary spelling, "San Francisco," is standard and universally accepted. Common misspellings and typos often involve phonetic errors or the omission of the space between words. Frequent incorrect variations include "San Fransisco" (adding an extra 's'), "San Fransico" (dropping the 'c'), and "San Franciso" (omitting the second 'c'). The city is also sometimes informally abbreviated in writing as "SF," "San Fran," or the colloquial "Frisco," though the latter is controversial and not preferred by many longtime residents. When writing, it is crucial to maintain the correct Spanish-language origin of the name, which honors St. Francis of Assisi, and to capitalize both "San" and "Francisco."
Example Sentences
No visit to San Francisco is complete without a walk across the awe-inspiring Golden Gate Bridge on a clear morning.
The city's legendary fog, known locally as "Karl," often rolls in from the Pacific Ocean, dramatically enveloping the Marin Headlands.
After exploring the bustling piers of Fisherman's Wharf, we took a historic cable car up the famously steep incline of Hyde Street.
Many technology conferences are held in San Francisco due to its close ties with the innovation ecosystems of Silicon Valley.
The cultural mosaic of San Francisco is vividly displayed in the murals of the Mission District and the vibrant festivities of the annual Chinese New Year parade.
Related Pronunciations
- How to pronounce Atlanta
- How to pronounce El Paso
- How to pronounce Uintah
- How to pronounce Ogden
- How to pronounce Ogunquit