San Francisco History

San Francisco History Exploring the rich past of San Francisco through rare photos and forgotten stories.

From Gold Rush days to modern landmarks, discover the city like never before.

View of Ocean Beach, Great Highway, and Playland at the Beach, San Francisco, California (1957)In 1957, the view over Oc...
07/25/2025

View of Ocean Beach, Great Highway, and Playland at the Beach, San Francisco, California (1957)

In 1957, the view over Ocean Beach and Playland captured San Francisco’s playful edge. The Great Highway ran smoothly alongside the waves, and Playland’s roller coasters and arcades brought joy to generations of families. The scene was both coastal and kinetic—a contrast to the city’s hills and fog. Though Playland is gone and the highway transformed, Ocean Beach still calls people to its shores, reminding us of a time when thrill rides and salt air defined a Sunday afternoon.

California and Powell (1950s)The intersection of California and Powell in the 1950s is a classic image of San Francisco ...
07/24/2025

California and Powell (1950s)

The intersection of California and Powell in the 1950s is a classic image of San Francisco in motion. Cable cars cross paths atop Nob Hill as vintage sedans navigate steep grades. With iconic hotels rising nearby and bay views just a glance away, this corner has always felt grand and full of character. Decades later, the cars have changed and the skyline has grown, but the sound of cables and clanging bells still defines the hill. It’s a postcard scene come to life.

Before and After – Noe and Duncan (1923)In 1923, the corner of Noe and Duncan in Noe Valley was quiet, charming, and on ...
07/24/2025

Before and After – Noe and Duncan (1923)

In 1923, the corner of Noe and Duncan in Noe Valley was quiet, charming, and on the edge of expansion. Wooden houses stood over dirt roads, kids played on the sidewalks, and families built lives in one of the city’s sunniest neighborhoods. Nearly a century later, many of those original homes still stand—some restored, others renovated—but the spirit remains. It’s a corner that reflects San Francisco’s enduring balance between preservation and change.

Lombard Street (1924)Photo by SFMemory.orgLombard Street in 1924 was just beginning to earn its title as “the crookedest...
07/24/2025

Lombard Street (1924)

Photo by SFMemory.org

Lombard Street in 1924 was just beginning to earn its title as “the crookedest street in the world.” Engineers carved the winding switchbacks to make the steep hill more navigable, creating what would become one of the city’s most iconic sights. In this early view, the bricks are fresh, the landscaping is minimal, and the neighborhood feels hushed and residential. Today, tourists fill the sidewalks and cameras flash at every turn—but the street itself remains a marvel of practical beauty.

Chinatown on the Southeast Corner of Grant and Washington Looking South Towards Market (1950s)Photo by Fred LyonFred Lyo...
07/24/2025

Chinatown on the Southeast Corner of Grant and Washington Looking South Towards Market (1950s)

Photo by Fred Lyon

Fred Lyon’s 1950s photo captures the essence of Chinatown at Grant and Washington, looking south toward Market Street. The shops are stacked with goods, signs in Chinese characters dangle overhead, and pedestrians fill the sidewalk in a constant flow of daily life. There’s movement, commerce, and culture layered into every frame. Even then, this intersection was both a tourist destination and a true neighborhood hub. More than 70 years later, the same energy still pulses through this historic part of town.

19th Ave and Lincoln (Mar 1978)Photo by SFMemory.orgIn March 1978, this busy corner where 19th Avenue meets Lincoln Boul...
07/24/2025

19th Ave and Lincoln (Mar 1978)

Photo by SFMemory.org

In March 1978, this busy corner where 19th Avenue meets Lincoln Boulevard was caught in a moment of calm. Cars line up beneath wide trees, with Golden Gate Park just across the street. This stretch has always been a key gateway between neighborhoods, where westside commuters and weekend parkgoers cross paths. The cars may be newer now and the traffic heavier, but the bones of this intersection remain unchanged—a solid, lived-in part of the city’s everyday life.

Then and Now: Cliff House and Ocean Beach, 1899 and 2021The Cliff House has stood as a sentinel above Ocean Beach for we...
07/21/2025

Then and Now: Cliff House and Ocean Beach, 1899 and 2021

The Cliff House has stood as a sentinel above Ocean Beach for well over a century, watching the tides of history roll in and out. In 1899, the ornate Victorian structure loomed dramatically over the cliffs, a favorite destination for weekend travelers and high-society dinners. Though the building has been rebuilt and remodeled over the decades, the location remains iconic. By 2021, the Cliff House was shuttered again, but the views remained just as stunning. The crashing waves, the sea spray, and the edge-of-the-world feeling continue to make this one of San Francisco’s most beloved landmarks.

Taraval near 17th Ave (1977)Photo by Open SF HistoryThis 1977 photo of Taraval near 17th Avenue captures the Outer Sunse...
07/21/2025

Taraval near 17th Ave (1977)

Photo by Open SF History

This 1977 photo of Taraval near 17th Avenue captures the Outer Sunset when it was still quiet, windswept, and unpretentious. The Muni streetcar rolls through a corridor of single-family homes and corner shops, with sand from Ocean Beach never far away. This part of the city has always had a relaxed, laid-back rhythm—less polished but full of life. Today, much of the neighborhood still looks the same, with a mix of the old and new holding firm against the fog.

Then and Now: Market and Castro, 1922 and TodayMarket and Castro has long been one of the city's most dynamic intersecti...
07/21/2025

Then and Now: Market and Castro, 1922 and Today

Market and Castro has long been one of the city's most dynamic intersections. In 1922, it was lined with early streetcars and modest storefronts, serving as a quiet entryway to the neighborhoods beyond. Fast forward to today, and it’s a beacon of culture, identity, and pride. Rainbow flags now fly high above the Castro Theater, where community and celebration thrive. The streets have changed, but the spirit of openness and energy has only grown stronger through the years.

Candlestick Park Opening Day (1960)April 1960 marked the opening of Candlestick Park, a bold new chapter in San Francisc...
07/21/2025

Candlestick Park Opening Day (1960)

April 1960 marked the opening of Candlestick Park, a bold new chapter in San Francisco sports history. The Giants’ new home welcomed thousands of eager fans, wrapped in jackets and blankets against the famously chilly winds. Despite the unpredictable weather, “The Stick” became a beloved venue for baseball, football, and unforgettable concerts. It wasn’t just a stadium—it was a symbol of pride, noise, and memories shared across generations. Though it’s gone today, the roar of the crowd still echoes in local hearts.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge During Construction (1935)In 1935, the Golden Gate Bridge was still a bold and risky drea...
07/21/2025

View of the Golden Gate Bridge During Construction (1935)

In 1935, the Golden Gate Bridge was still a bold and risky dream slowly taking shape above the bay. Steel cables stretched between incomplete towers as workers dangled high above the water. Critics called it impossible, but the bridge was already beginning to prove them wrong. This photo captures that awe-inspiring moment when ambition became reality—when San Francisco dared to connect to the north in a way never done before. Within two years, the bridge would open and become one of the most recognized landmarks in the world.

Then and Now: Baker Street, Pacific Heights, 1895 vs 2021Baker Street in Pacific Heights is a perfect blend of Victorian...
07/20/2025

Then and Now: Baker Street, Pacific Heights, 1895 vs 2021

Baker Street in Pacific Heights is a perfect blend of Victorian elegance and modern-day pride. In 1895, the neighborhood was just establishing itself—grand homes were rising, and quiet streets gave a sense of both space and status. Those early structures, with their ornate facades and sweeping staircases, still stand tall today, preserved with care and character. In 2021, the same street tells a richer story—layered with a century of families, renovations, and sunrises over the bay. Pacific Heights remains one of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods, and Baker Street is proof that true beauty doesn’t fade with time—it deepens.

Address

San Francisco, CA

Telephone

+8801759017213

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when San Francisco History posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to San Francisco History:

Shortcuts

Share