--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: San Francisco isn't what it used to be…" description: "\"San Francisco isn't what it used to be, and it never was.\" — Herb Caen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/herb-caen-15397_humorous_san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-a_1334092.jpg" --- # San Francisco isn't what it used to be, and it never was. ![“San Francisco isn't what it used to be, and it never was.” quote by Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/herb-caen-15397_humorous_san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-a_1334092.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/herb-caen-15397_humorous_san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-a_1334092.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/herb-caen-15397_humorous_san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-a_1334092.jpg) > “San Francisco isn't what it used to be, and it never was.” [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cities evolve, and nostalgia often masks the fact that change is constant and inevitable. **In simple terms:** Cities change; nostalgia can mislead. Key Takeaway Accept change and focus on current opportunities. Themes urban life nostalgia change Mood reflective nostalgic Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - real estate trends - community planning - personal adaptation - historical comparison Key Concepts sociology urban development cultural identity Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of the city do you miss? - How can you engage with the new character? A Different Perspective Idealizing the past can prevent appreciation of present possibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humorous/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Isn Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isn-used-1369398/) [San francisco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/san-francisco/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Used to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-to-be/) ## Related quotes > [The future isn't what is used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yogi-berra/the-future-isn-t-what-is-used-to-be/) [Yogi Berra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yogi-berra/) > [It's obvious that my brain isn't what it used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bradshaw/it-s-obvious-that-my-brain-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/) [Terry Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bradshaw/) > [Pollution is merely a resource that isn't being used properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/pollution-is-merely-a-resource-that-isn-t-being-used-properly/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [The future just isn't what it used to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tropper/the-future-just-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/) [Jonathan Tropper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tropper/) > [A billion dollars isn't what it used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-bunker-hunt/a-billion-dollars-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/) [Nelson Bunker Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-bunker-hunt/) > [Have you ever wondered how nostalgia isn"t what it used to be?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/have-you-ever-wondered-how-nostalgia-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [A joke isn't yours. It's used and you don't know where it's been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/a-joke-isn-t-yours-it-s-used-and-you-don-t-know-where-it-s-been/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [The meaning of family isn't what it used to be...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-meaning-of-family-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [High culture isn't what it used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-o-hagan/high-culture-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/) [Andrew O'Hagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-o-hagan/) > [“Death isn't what it used to be”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/china-mi-ville/death-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/) [China Miéville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/china-mi-ville/) > [Old San Francisco - the one so many nostalgics yearn for - had buildings that related well to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/old-san-francisco-the-one-so-many-nostalgics-yearn-for-had-buildings/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Isn't it nice that people who prefer Los Angeles to San Francisco live there?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/isn-t-it-nice-that-people-who-prefer-los-angeles-to-san-francisco/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Everyone I talked to was a recording-the bank, the elevator, your office, the school, a wrong number. You used to be able to call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/everyone-i-talked-to-was-a-recording-the-bank-the-elevator-your/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [In my former life I was in insider, as much as anybody else. And I knew what it's like, and I still know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/in-my-former-life-i-was-in-insider-as-much-as-anybody-else-and-i-knew/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [How come I end up where I started How come I end up where I belong... You used to be alright What happened?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/how-come-i-end-up-where-i-started-how-come-i-end-up-where-i-belong/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) ## More by Herb Caen > [I have a memory like an elephant. I remember every elephant I've ever met.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/i-have-a-memory-like-an-elephant-i-remember-every-elephant-i-ve-ever/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [A city is not gauged by its length and width, but by the broadness of its vision and the height of its dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/a-city-is-not-gauged-by-its-length-and-width-but-by-the-broadness-of/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [I sometimes worry about my short attention span, but not for long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/i-sometimes-worry-about-my-short-attention-span-but-not-for-long/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Just two days in Manhattan and you find yourself looking for a place to wash your handkerchief after you wipe your forehead and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/just-two-days-in-manhattan-and-you-find-yourself-looking-for-a-place/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Baffling late-life discovery: Golfers wear those awful clothes on purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/baffling-late-life-discovery-golfers-wear-those-awful-clothes-on/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [All American cars are basically Chevrolets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/all-american-cars-are-basically-chevrolets/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [San Franciscans have a bond of self-satisfaction bordering on smugness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/san-franciscans-have-a-bond-of-self-satisfaction-bordering-on-smugness/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [The waterfront without the Ferry Tower would be like a birthday cake without a candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/the-waterfront-without-the-ferry-tower-would-be-like-a-birthday-cake/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Best trumpet: Mike Vax, an alumnus of the Kenton Band, who plays every style with a bright cutting edge, throwing in bop riffs here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/best-trumpet-mike-vax-an-alumnus-of-the-kenton-band-who-plays-every/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [The trouble with born-again Christians is that they are an even bigger pain the second time around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/the-trouble-with-born-again-christians-is-that-they-are-an-even/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [We are reorganizing in order to eliminate duplication and redundancy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/we-are-reorganizing-in-order-to-eliminate-duplication-and-redundancy/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Old San Francisco - the one so many nostalgics yearn for - had buildings that related well to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/old-san-francisco-the-one-so-many-nostalgics-yearn-for-had-buildings/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [The clock doesn't matter in baseball. Time stands still or moves backwards. Theoretically, one game could go on forever. Some seem to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/the-clock-doesn-t-matter-in-baseball-time-stands-still-or-moves/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Isn't it nice that people who prefer Los Angeles to San Francisco live there?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/isn-t-it-nice-that-people-who-prefer-los-angeles-to-san-francisco/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [A city is a crazy concrete jungle whose people at the end of each day somehow make a small step ahead against terrible odds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/a-city-is-a-crazy-concrete-jungle-whose-people-at-the-end-of-each-day/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) [Explore all 43 Herb Caen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) ## More Humorous quotes > [“One of the classier features of this home was the padded toilet seat. It was high-mileage puffy brown vinyl-colored foam and made that weird…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-carolla/one-of-the-classier-features-of-this-home-was-the-padded-toilet-seat/) [Adam Carolla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-carolla/) > [“Holy hell, Trev! What kind of move was that?” Trevor leaned over her with a big smile on his face. “You really thought I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecilia-aubrey-chris-almeida/holy-hell-trev-what-kind-of-move-was-that-trevor-leaned-over-her-with/) [Cecilia Aubrey & Chris Almeida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecilia-aubrey-chris-almeida/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [“Some women walk towards a better future. 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The Republicans said, "There's nothing wrong with America, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/the-democrats-said-we-don-t-know-what-s-wrong-with-america-but-we-can/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [“Shut up, you fool...Really. I’m running out of things to throw at you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-m-parr/shut-up-you-fool-really-i-m-running-out-of-things-to-throw-at-you/) [K.M. Parr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-m-parr/) > [“There's something not quite Christian about it," Tony said. He sat back in his chair and looked up to where his Bible sat on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-comeau/there-s-something-not-quite-christian-about-it-tony-said-he-sat-back/) [Joey Comeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-comeau/) > [“Can you imagine life without the horror genre? There would be no monsters. 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"To prevent someone from accomplishing something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-m-going-to-use-them-to-track-him-down-and-thwart-him-thwart-sarissa/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) [Browse all 2,693 Humorous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humorous/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "San Francisco isn't what it used to be, and it never was.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herb Caen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-and-it-never-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Humorous" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-and-it-never-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/herb-caen-15397_humorous_san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-a_1334092.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/herb-caen-15397_humorous_san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-a_1334092.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/herb-caen-15397_humorous_san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-a_1334092.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“San Francisco isn't what it used to be, and it never was.” — Herb Caen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Herb Caen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "San Francisco isn't what it used...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-and-it-never-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/san-francisco-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be-and-it-never-was/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```