Photo: SFC Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close

Image 2 of 39 Junipero Serra. We've had a couple natives say you pronounce both the boulevard and the California mission-founding friar as 'you-nip-er-oh' while many other longtime residents insist it's more of a 'hoo-nip-er-oh.' Pictured: Father Junipero Serra is dressed up with a 49ers sign in the days before Super Bowl XVI. Jan. 20, 1982. less Junipero Serra. We've had a couple natives say you pronounce both the boulevard and the California mission-founding friar as 'you-nip-er-oh' while many other longtime residents insist it's more of a ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 3 of 39 Ignore any Spanish-speaking skills you have when referring to San Rafael. 'Rafael' is just two syllables, 'rah-FELL.' And yes, sometimes it's painful to tell people it's not actually pronounced 'SAN raf-AYE-el.' less Ignore any Spanish-speaking skills you have when referring to San Rafael. 'Rafael' is just two syllables, 'rah-FELL.' And yes, sometimes it's painful to tell people it's not actually pronounced 'SAN ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 4 of 39 Duboce, the street, triangle and park (pictured), is something like 'Duh-BOWS' or 'dew-BOWS' (help?), but we do know it's certainly nothing like 'du-bow-see.' less Duboce, the street, triangle and park (pictured), is something like 'Duh-BOWS' or 'dew-BOWS' (help?), but we do know it's certainly nothing like ... more Photo: SFC

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Image 6 of 39 This one can be a doozy, but our newsroom-curated consensus is that Guerrero Street is 'ger-rare-oh.' Pictured: A Queen Anne mansion at 900 Guerrero St. This one can be a doozy, but our newsroom-curated consensus is that Guerrero Street is 'ger-rare-oh.' Pictured: A Queen Anne mansion at 900 Guerrero St. Photo: John King

Image 7 of 39 Marin County is 'mah-RIN.' We've heard the faux pas of calling it 'mare-in,' similar to how you'd pronounce the Mariners. Marin County is 'mah-RIN.' We've heard the faux pas of calling it 'mare-in,' similar to how you'd pronounce the Mariners. Photo: The Chronicle

Image 8 of 39 Here's another tough one. For Arguello Street, we're putting our money on 'ar-GWEL-lo.' Are we wrong? Tell us in the comments. Here's another tough one. For Arguello Street, we're putting our money on 'ar-GWEL-lo.' Are we wrong? Tell us in the comments. Photo: The Chronicle

Image 9 of 39 Sonoma County's Guerneville is 'gern-ville,' but some natives, including Carl Nolte, say true San Franciscans know the correct pronunciation but choose to call it Guerny-ville. Pictured: Porter-Bass Vineyard in Guerneville. less Sonoma County's Guerneville is 'gern-ville,' but some natives, including Carl Nolte, say true San ... more Photo: Special to The Chronicle

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Image 11 of 39 We've heard Kearny Street was originally supposed to be called 'KAR-nee' in honor of who it's named after, which is disputed, but almost everyone calls it 'kern-ee.' less We've heard Kearny Street was originally supposed to be called 'KAR-nee' in honor of who it's named after, which is disputed, but almost everyone calls ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 12 of 39 Los Gatos is 'gat-toes' (rhymes with cat) instead of the Spanish pronunciation 'gah-toes.' Also, we've noticed most non-Spanish speakers say 'los' like it rhymes with 'moss' instead of 'dose.' Pictured: The Monte Bello Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos. less Los Gatos is 'gat-toes' (rhymes with cat) instead of the Spanish pronunciation 'gah-toes.' Also, we've noticed most non-Spanish speakers say 'los' like it rhymes with 'moss' instead of 'dose.' Pictured: The ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 13 of 39 We have one colleague (a Sausalito native) who disagrees, but we're pretty sure Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands is pronounced the same as the famous 'Row-DAY-o' Drive in Beverly Hills. Feel free to put us to shame in the comments. less We have one colleague (a Sausalito native) who disagrees, but we're pretty sure Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands is pronounced the same as the famous 'Row-DAY-o' Drive in Beverly Hills. Feel free to put us ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 14 of 39 Cabrillo Street, seen here in the Richmond district, has a nod to Spanish with 'ca-BREE-yo.' Cabrillo Street, seen here in the Richmond district, has a nod to Spanish with 'ca-BREE-yo.' Photo: The Chronicle

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Image 16 of 39 But Vallejo Street (and the North Bay city) is a more Spanglish as 'va-LAY-ho.' But Vallejo Street (and the North Bay city) is a more Spanglish as 'va-LAY-ho.' Photo: The Chronicle

Image 18 of 39 Bernal Heights. It's BURR-null. Bernal Heights. It's BURR-null. Photo: Getty Images

Image 19 of 39 Portola, the neighborhood, street and Spanish explorer, is often 'por-TOE-la' but could also be POR-tuh-la, especially among Italian families. One S.F. native we spoke to said it's pretty much an 'even call' for this one, and Carl Nolte actually says there are three different pronunciations. Pictured: The annual Portola Garden Tour in San Francisco. less Portola, the neighborhood, street and Spanish explorer, is often 'por-TOE-la' but could also be POR-tuh-la, especially among Italian families. One S.F. native we spoke to said it's pretty much an 'even call' ... more Photo: The Chronicle

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Image 21 of 39 Potrero may be a more straightforward one, but Carl Nolte has referred to one local who says 'Potrera Hill.' Pictured: A parklet in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. less Potrero may be a more straightforward one, but Carl Nolte has referred to one local who ... more Photo: The Chronicle

Image 23 of 39 Speaking of Bay Area peaks, Mount Tamalpais (tam-all-PIE-us) can seem like a mouthful at first, but you can always just take the easy shortcut and call it 'Mt. Tam.' Speaking of Bay Area peaks, Mount Tamalpais (tam-all-PIE-us) can seem like a mouthful at first, but you can always just take the easy shortcut and call it 'Mt. Tam.'

Image 24 of 39 Alemany is 'al-UH-mainy.' Pictured: Homes above the Alemany Farm in San Francisco. Alemany is 'al-UH-mainy.' Pictured: Homes above the Alemany Farm in San Francisco. Photo: Special to the Chronicle

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Image 26 of 39 We've heard Quesada Street in San Francisco may be pronounced both as 'cue-SAY-duh' and 'kay-SAW-duh.' We've heard Quesada Street in San Francisco may be pronounced both as 'cue-SAY-duh' and 'kay-SAW-duh.' Photo: The Chronicle

Image 27 of 39 Lyon Street is 'lie-un,' but it may confuse French speakers who will want to say 'lee-OWN.' Pictured: 'Migrant Heart' on the Lyon Street Steps near Vallejo Street. Lyon Street is 'lie-un,' but it may confuse French speakers who will want to say 'lee-OWN.' Pictured: 'Migrant Heart' on the Lyon Street Steps near Vallejo Street. Photo: The Chronicle

Image 28 of 39 Phelan Avenue is 'FEEL-ihn.' Pictured: The main CCSF campus on Phelan Avenue. Phelan Avenue is 'FEEL-ihn.' Pictured: The main CCSF campus on Phelan Avenue. Photo: The Chronicle

Image 29 of 39 Sorry Spanish speakers, Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro rhymes with armadillo and is NOT 'estudee-yo.' Pictured: Downtown San Leandro. Sorry Spanish speakers, Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro rhymes with armadillo and is NOT 'estudee-yo.' Pictured: Downtown San Leandro. Photo: SFC

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Image 31 of 39 It's not hard for many to conquer the proper way to say 'Concord' (Con-kerd), but we've heard of some people mistakingly saying 'con-kord,' which rhymes with 'Ford.' It's not hard for many to conquer the proper way to say 'Concord' (Con-kerd), but we've heard of some people mistakingly saying 'con-kord,' which rhymes with 'Ford.' Photo: STAFF

Image 32 of 39 Point Reyes National Seashore's more common pronunciation seems to be 'point rey-YES,' although we've heard locals call it 'point RAYS.' Point Reyes National Seashore's more common pronunciation seems to be 'point rey-YES,' although we've heard locals call it 'point RAYS.' Photo: The Chronicle

Image 33 of 39 In Fairfield, Armijo High School is actually 'army-oh.' In Fairfield, Armijo High School is actually 'army-oh.' Photo: The Chronicle

Image 34 of 39 Locals says Suisun City like 'soo-soon,' with the first syllable similar to the Native American tribe 'Sioux.' Locals says Suisun City like 'soo-soon,' with the first syllable similar to the Native American tribe 'Sioux.' Photo: SFC

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Image 36 of 39 Ulloa, the S.F. street and elementary school, is 'you-LOW-ah.' Ulloa, the S.F. street and elementary school, is 'you-LOW-ah.' Photo: SFC

Image 37 of 39 Nicasio, the unincorporated town and reservoir in Marin County, is ni-CAH'-see-oh. Nicasio, the unincorporated town and reservoir in Marin County, is ni-CAH'-see-oh. Photo: The Chronicle

Image 38 of 39 And Nicasio rhymes with, Ignacio, 'ig-nah-see-oh.' Pictured: The Ignacio overpass in Novato. And Nicasio rhymes with, Ignacio, 'ig-nah-see-oh.' Pictured: The Ignacio overpass in Novato. Photo: SFC