Every city has its underbellies and backsides -- most of them for more unappealing and unsalvageable than SF's. Meanwhile, very few large cities in North America (and I've been to basically all of them) have much to compare with in terms of architecture, character (up until the current boom, anyway) and charm.

And in terms of the stunning beauty of its geographic surroundings -- precisely none of them.

On balance there's basically no contest.