As @Epigonosstated, San Francisco is really an unparalleled city. I was in love with it in the 80’s particularly. Living in coastal OC for many years, SF was my civilized retreat. I also loved Big Sur, the wine country, and the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts. I had a scary walk through the Tenderloin one night after a dinner party. I was a bit tipsy, wearing a chalk-striped suit, but I got to the other side unscathed. When I visited briefly last June, I was appalled at its decline. I think some of the problems are intractable. Interesting that the much maligned (by classic San Franciscans like the late Herb Caen) “El Lay” is now perhaps the better city.
San Diego is now my favorite large California city.