why do they occasionally refer to SF as "bagdad by the bay?"

-- rob howard (rhoward@inotherwords.com), April 07, 1999

Answers

This name was given to the City by Herb Caen, famous columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle (who passed away recently) because he loved San Francisco with a passion. He wrote for the newspaper for decades, and it is likely that the comparison was made long ago...before the Gulf War. As to the precise reason, I'm not sure, but I think it has to do with the beauty of the two cities, and the cultures. If anyone knows more, please contribute. I'd like to know myself. I will look into it, because it's a good question.

-- Robert W. Summers (summerstime@yahoo.com), April 15, 1999.

Dunno why but I think I remember hearing that it had something to do with the 39 World's Fair at TI...think Caen referred to the fair in those terms and the name stuck to the City.

-- Kathy Gori (webdog@webtv.net), November 13, 2000.

To amplify on an earlier post, Herb Caen definitely dubbed San Francisco "Baghdad by the bay" long before the gulf war. I don't know if he actually coined the term 'way back in the thirties... but I read a column he wrote in 1968 that refers to San Francisco as 'Baghdad by the bay.'

-- Bruno Tim (brunotim@pacbell.net), February 19, 2002.

Herb Cain wrote a book called Bagdad by the bay back in the thirties I beleive. I have a copy here somewhere if anyone needs more info

-- bill lake (billlake50@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.

If you want to know why it is call B by the B read Herb's own words on http://research.compaq.com/SRC/personal/heydon/caen-SF.html

-- louise dyer (dyer@hotmail.com), May 05, 2002.

if you know urdu look here: اكيسويں صدي كے چنگيزوں كے ہاتھوں انسانيت كي تذليل

-- Your Full Name (Your Email Addressrob howard (rhoward@inotherwords.com)), September 06, 2003.