my first experience with San Francisco in a video game was through the City Escape stage in Sonic Adventure 2. and I didn't even know then that it was San Francisco (I had never been there when I played the game). only realized this when I visited the city many years later.

my first exposure was Driver and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, later skateboard videos

Haha, I know that stage by heart, and I've never been to San Francisco. I had no idea that's what it was modeled after!

I was just thinking, this game needs a snowboard I can use to jump, do tricks, and smack around people's cars.