A visitor from the Midwest expressed surprise about the "holiday tree" sprouting up in San Francisco's Civic Center. The tourist mentioned to us that he had heard a lot this year about San Francisco values.

So seeing a Christmas tree topped by a star of Bethlehem on public property in front of City Hall didn't match his expectations. It seems the citizens of S.F. can tolerate a few historical religious icons on county property in a fashion similar to those in a small Midwestern town. A few more City Hall shots after the jump.