[mc32]

What about San Jose? They have lots of land and or low density tracts which they could rezone for high density -and the city is amenable to actual renewal and progress, unlike SF.

I know it has a reputation for bland mega-suburb feel (as though it were just a bunch of adjoined and conglomerated suburbs called a city) but it could change. Geology* could be an issue, if going over, say, 20 floors, but anything above 8 to 10 is good for density and could be made a viable alternative to SF hegemony in the region.

As a bonus, SJ, compared to SF has a functional gov't and has lower crime.

*http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2199 [PDF]