They say that over every set of hills in the Bay Area there's a community with its own microclimate. The drive from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach demonstrates how true this is, but the saying has a deeper meaning: it's both the people and the places they live in that reflect the spirit of individuality for which San Francisco is famous. In the city itself, as well as in the surrounding counties, a dramatic chance of scenery and local flavor s never more than a few miles away. The urban chic of the South of Market (SOMA) area offers an interesting contrast to the Victorian elegance of Pacific Heights. The quiet grace of Atherton is peaceful counterpoint to the horse-country wildness of nearby Woodside. Cultural and aesthetic preferences aside, these diverse upscale communities know that their differences are justo ne more reason why the Bay Area lifestyle is so great to begin with.