23 Powerful Photographs of Vintage San Francisco

By Kiri Picone

Published October 2, 2014

Updated October 17, 2017

San Francisco is best known for the lazy fog that drapes its steep, geometric hills. The city, which was first founded in June 1776, is home to a number of beloved tourist attractions and landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island. In this gallery of vintage San Francisco photographs, we uncover how the city has changed over the past century. Now a bustling international hub and the headquarters of various large banks and corporations, San Francisco continues to adapt and grow.

Vintage San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Opening Day

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Source: Distractify

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The photo shows the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake that caused damage to much of San Francisco. Source: Vintage Everyday

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Fires continue to burn in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Source: Kammer

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San Francisco Floral opens its doors to the public in 1913. Source: Historical Perspectives

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Source: Wikipedia

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Builders construct the Golden Gate Bridge in 1934. Source: History in Photos

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Source: History in Photos

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People walk across the Golden Gate Bridge on its opening day, May 27th, 1937. Source: Vintage San Francisco

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A photograph taken by John Gutmann in 1938. Source: tout ceci est magnifique

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Source: Vintage Everyday

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Source: World Sweeper

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Source: CCSRO

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A glimpse at San Francisco’s Grant Street in Chinatown. Source: SFGate

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Young boys wait to ride the Ridee-O ride at Playland-at-the-Beach in Golden Gate Park in 1953. Source: Huffington Post

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Prisoners mill around Alcatraz prison in the San Francisco bay. Source: Best California Beach

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San Francisco in the 1960s. Source: Pirkle Jones

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Legendary baseball star Willie Mays gets his 3,000th career hit in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in 1970. Source: KTVU

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These Victorian style homes, called the “Painted Ladies,” have been featured in a number of films. They are located directly across from Alamo Square Park in Hayes Valley. Source: Debs Travels

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Folks relax at a San Francisco park in the 1970s. Source: Marc Rochkind

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A 1970s peace rally takes place in San Francisco. Source: Shorpy

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People congregate at the Castro Street Fair, an LGBT street festival in the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco. Source: LGBT Historical Society

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Source: Huffington Post

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Boys play a game at an arcade in San Francisco. Source: SF Gate

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