Conan O’Brien is heading to LA this weekend to host the Academy Awards for the second time, and he took a moment to chat with ABC 7 about why the Bay Area is absolutely crushing it in the entertainment world right now.

During a Friday morning interview with anchor Amanda del Castillo, O’Brien opened up about his love for San Francisco’s creative scene. When the conversation turned to the impressive number of Bay Area nominees this year, including filmmaker Ryan Coogler, actor Delroy Lindo, musician Raphael Saadiq, and Pixar’s latest film Elio, O’Brien didn’t hold back with his praise.

“San Francisco is the jewel for the arts in the United States. I’ve long believed that”, O’Brien said. He even joked about how much he loves the concept that he apparently has a t-shirt proclaiming it, though he admitted the shirt’s lengthy wording means he rarely wears it. “I think San Francisco is just killing it, always has, always will”.

Beyond just complimenting our city’s film and music scene, O’Brien shared some genuinely sweet personal details about why the Bay Area holds a special place in his heart. He revealed that he and his daughter are huge live music fans and have attended several festivals together over the years. When asked about their favorites, O’Brien lit up talking about Outside Lands.

“We just love the vibe there”, he explained, adding that attending the festival together is something they do as a bonding experience. It’s the kind of comment that reminds us how important these cultural institutions are, they’re not just about the performances themselves, but about the communities they create and the memories they generate.

The casual, joke-filled interview between O’Brien and del Castillo had plenty of lighter moments too. O’Brien playfully referenced the film “Sinners” when joking about their connection as two-time Oscar ceremony veterans, showing his signature quick wit throughout the conversation.

What makes O’Brien’s comments particularly relevant is the timing. With the Bay Area producing so much acclaimed work, from independent films to major studio productions to boundary-pushing music, his praise feels earned rather than hollow. The fact that someone of his stature in entertainment is willing to publicly advocate for SF’s arts community says something about the genuine creative energy happening in our region.

As O’Brien prepares for his hosting duties at the Academy Awards, his appreciation for San Francisco’s contributions to the arts underscores an important reality: the Bay Area isn’t just a tech hub. We’re a cultural powerhouse that continues to produce groundbreaking work across every artistic medium.