San Francisco County

San Francisco County, or as it is officially known; The City and County of San Francisco, is the only consolidated county/city in the state. It is the financial, commercial and cultural hub of the entire northern half of California but encompasses only 47 square miles, making it the state’s smallest county. While small in size, it also holds the title of the most densely populated city in California and second in the nation, next to New York.

The county has a fascinating history beginning with its founding by Spain in 1776. When the gold rush hit in 1849 the county experience unprecedented growth which pushed it to the biggest city on the west coast of the time. The 1906 fire and earthquake destroyed more than half the city but was quickly rebuilt and hosted the Panama-Pacific International Exposition within nine years. As years progressed and the area was the port for returning servicemen, colossal immigration and the gay rights movement, it cemented the area as a liberal activism hub of the country as the Summer of Love began.

Along with its captivating history, the county’s steep rolling hills, mild summers and eclectic landmarks and architecture has made it a popular tourist destination for visitors from everywhere on the planet. The former Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary is a compelling attraction for visitors with an interest in crime and punishment. Once a federal prison housed on its own island, it is known for being one of the most violent and ruthless of its kind. Prisoners sent here were those who could be held nowhere else because of their brutal and vicious behavior. America’s most infamous criminals including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Mickey Cohen and Whitey Bulger all served time there. It is now a museum seeing more than a million visitors each year.

Chinatown is another big San Francisco tourist attraction. It is the largest of its kind outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. You can find any number of attractions, museums and cultural events in this top tourist attraction. Learn the history of the Chinese immigration and the tremendous battles they faced to become citizens.

The distinctive geography of San Francisco County and the 1950’s freeway revolts left the county with few highways. Instead transportation takes place on various arterial thoroughfares. Interstate 80 is the only direct auto connection to the East Bay. State route 101 to the west of Interstate 80 giving access to the southern area of the county. State route 1, Interstate 280 and State Route 35 also skirt around the county.

With such a high density of people and few major roads to travel, there is a risk for automobile accidents. Some can be quite unusual. Such is the case of the kite surfer who was blown off San Francisco Beach, through a parking lot and onto a roadway where he was hit by an automobile in September of 2015. A 67 year old pedestrian, Yue Mei Yan, was killed after being hit by a car near Highways 280 and 101 in August of 2015.

Car accidents can happen at any time, in any place, even if you’re not in a car. Not only are they devastating physically but also mentally, financially and emotionally. They affect not only the victim but the entire family and those that love them. Even the smallest of fender benders can put a family in a financial crush is that is devastating. Obtaining reputable legal counsel with knowledge and experience in car accident representation in San Francisco is imperative to returning life to normal.