Been living in the Bay Area for almost 10 years now. When I first came here for job interviews, I decided to stay for a few days. Rented a car and drove from Los Gatos to Santa Cruz -- I just saw the sig that said "Santa Cruz" and that sounded exotic, so I just went. What a memorable drive. Dipped my feet into the ocean after parking at some historic surfer spot, and remember how cold it was and how awesome it felt. Had interviews in SF later that week and then headed to "Marin Headlands" -- had no idea what to expect. It was a Tuesday, so not a lot of people. Saw what are probably the best views in the world from out there.
After moving here (Berkeley -- couldn't afford anything in SF without finding a roommate), I knew that the "awe" factor would take 3-5 years to fade. Every morning I would walk to BART and be greeted with flora that can be described as "alien" -- nowhere else I've seen plants of such variety just growing in peoples' front yard. On the BART ride back from SF, I would be greeted by a sunset and the views of GG bridge between MacArthur and Ashby stations, and I knew at the time that that "awe" still has a long way until it fades.
I moved to Potrero Hill soon -- rooming with with a few friends. It was such a great time living in the city in my 20s with a bunch of friends. I would walk to my office in Financial District every day. I would take the long way. I walked a lot in the city. Almost every day I would just soak in the place. The "awe" stuck around.
I also had a car that I barely put on any miles on, aside from taking random road trips. My buddy and I set the destination to "Big Sur" and just drove. It ended up taking us up some fire trails up some mountain. Then through forest roads meant for only one car going one direction.
I had a period of my life where I was living in Berkeley again, and my commute involved riding a motorcycle to the marina before the sunrise, then taking a ferry across the bay watching the sun rise above Oakland hills and the morning open up the city views. And the commute back at sunset was spectacular. That place I was living in in North Berkeley was like something out of Miyazaki movie. The neighbors knew each other. People would stop and chat on the street. This period will always be etched in my memory.
There were so so many other things I can recall from memory that keep the "awe" alive. The fires at Ocean Beach. The random dumpling places in Sunset. Discovering things like the wave organ, or that mechanical museum close to the Pier 39. Climbing up and down from Coit tower. The random bikes and walks in the GG park. Land's end "maze". Cycling the wiggle. Driving up and down the coast and staying at roadside inns. Big Sur. Big Basin. Hot springs. Tahoe trips. Russian River. etc etc....
I live in the Suburbs now. It's nice. The neighbors help each other out and know each other well. The little kids play on the streets. The older ones ride bikes through the neighborhood streets to school. The vibe is different, but it's still Bay Area. I still go on random adventures. I still feel the "awe" sometimes.