Not to bring this telescope discussion down to earth, but ...
I apologize in advance to the OP, but I am going to assume that you have limited experience with astronomical telescopes or moderate to large sized spotting scopes. My experience advising friends and family, is that most folks over estimate the importance or utility of magnification, and underestimate size, weight, and transportability of a telescope with stable mount. And so I would ask some questions about where you intend to keep this telescope and how you intend to use it.
Is this telescope going to be a permanent fixture in front of a window or will it be brought from one room to another, or brought outside? In other words, in addition to the logistics of setting up, placing, and using the telescope, are there any aesthetic issues? Viewing the city at several miles is one thing, and reading the time from the Ferry Building Clock Tower at that distance is another. In just what ways are you seeking to enhance your view?
As magnification increases, there are a variety of issues that make using a telescope more challenging. Defects in the optics and the mount become more apparent, pointing the telescope becomes more challenging, and your view will go from panoramic to looking through a soda straw in terms of field of view. And particularly for terrestrial viewing, as others have indicated, atmospheric instability (usually referred to as seeing) will limit the detail you can see.
Binastro's view of 1 inch marks at five miles is at the theoretical limit of what that telescope can do, so I assume it is a case of exceptional optics (telescope and eyes) under exceptional atmospheric conditions. Terrestrial viewing is challenging because you are looking through so much atmosphere with many possibilities of disturbing the air. I wouldn't be thinking about 250x from the Berkeley or Oakland Hills looking at the city. BTW, perhaps Binastro would like to quote the weight of the telescope, mount and tripod used for that sighting
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I would suggest contacting a local astronomy club or local science center like Lawrence Hall or Chabot, and inquiring about telescope loaner programs or viewing opportunities during the day. I know that Lawrence Hall parking lot has an excellent of SF and SF Bay in general, so looking through a modest telescope or pair of binoculars from there could give you a better idea of what to expect at home.
Good Viewing,
Alan