The Viral TikTok Post

A recent TikTok video has ignited discussions regarding the geographical boundaries of the Bay Area. San Francisco real estate agent Erik Throm, who identifies as a “Top 1% Realtor,” has attracted significant attention with his assertions regarding which counties should be included in the Bay Area.

Throm’s Claims

In his February 8 video, Throm presented a map that he argued delineated the Bay Area’s northern limits at the Sonoma-Marin county line. He controversially excluded Sonoma and Napa counties from his definition, a claim that drew numerous reactions.

“Sonoma County doesn’t even want to be the Bay Area,” Throm remarked in his post, while setting the northeastern boundary north of Vallejo, the eastern boundary at Pleasanton and Livermore, and the southern boundary at Morgan Hill.

Community Reactions

Throm’s comments have prompted a multitude of responses on TikTok, where the video has garnered over 432,000 views and elicited more than 1,500 comments. Users have passionately defended their home regions:

• “Sonoma County literally touches the Bay 😭,” commented TikTok user @seangause.
• “Santa Rosa here and I will be claiming the Bay, thank you,” said user @dennifromtheblock.
• @charlesbellard539 added, “Santa Rosa is the Bay, Napa the Bay, Fairfield the end of the Bay.”

Official Bay Area Definition

Despite Throm’s personal opinion, the Association of Bay Area Governments officially classifies the Bay Area as encompassing nine counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. This inclusive definition highlights the diverse regions that contribute to the economic and cultural fabric of the Bay Area.

Your Opinion Matters

Are Sonoma and Napa counties part of the Bay Area? The debate is open-ended, and community input is welcomed. Share your thoughts in the comments below!