Nicole Clark in the City

Moving to Downtown San Francisco from a suburban pocket of Los Angeles is a unique experience. The city is beautiful, but jarring, because it is just that— a city. Everything is immediate. I lived the majority of my life in a little college town called Claremont in Southern California, and then spent my first year of college in New Haven, Connecticut, at the wonderful Yale University. For the summer I’m living south of Market, or SOMA as I’ve heard it called, just one street parallel to AT&T Ballpark. It is a remarkably beautiful place to live, that lends itself to a simple commute to my internship via Muni metros and buses or Bart.

Working as an intern at Red Carpet Bay Area gives me the opportunity to get to know the city more intimately (and stylishly!) than I ever imagined. Though I love adventuring on my own, there are some attractions that only the “Best of the Bay Area” could really show me. I was able to attend LEVYdance’s 10th Year Opening Gala, my second night in the city. Not only that, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from our production assistant, Jueun Hwang, and most of all, MBL Media Production’s talented founder, Marybeth La Motte. I only wish I’d been here earlier to experience even more of what San Francisco had to offer. Janelle Monae is one of my favorite artists, and I would’ve adored seeing her perform with the San Francisco Symphony. And who doesn’t want to go to the San Francisco Ballet’s Cinderella Ball?

Of course, I’ve had my own adventures. I’ve walked miles along the Embarcadero, checking out quintessential tourist spots, like the Ferry Building, Fisherman’s Wharf, and The Exploratorium at its new home. I’ve walked through Chinatown and Japantown, gone to Fillmore’s famous Jazz Festival, and visited the zoo, noting the different feel of each district of the city. It’s an exciting time to live in SOMA, with America’s Cup right around the corner, and the Bay Lights sparkling every evening! San Francisco is truly a wonderful place. Now I’m living two dreams— finally being a writer, and living in the best city in the world.