San Francisco put on a show for me. I saw her across the bay, from the great road that bypasses Sausalito and enters the Golden Gate Bridge. The afternoon sun painted her white and gold – rising on her hills like a noble city in a happy dream.
John Steinbeck
Of course sun isn’t guaranteed in this famously foggy city, but whatever the weather that view has to be one of the most iconic of many such in the United States. And the hills lend San Francisco a special vibe too, offering tantalising views and an impression of the city as a mosaic of diverse areas.
We enjoyed our first visit to San Francisco back in 1991 so on this California trip we included a day there at the start. It gave us a chance to see a few places we’d missed then, as well as to recover from the journey and the jet lag before Chris had to start driving.
We stayed near Union Square and spent the day using the Hop On Hop Off bus for convenience to take in some sights in scattered parts of the city.
After some early morning fog we enjoyed a beautifully sunny day, although the clouds descended again briefly in the afternoon, just in time for us to get some atmospheric shots from the viewing area on the north side of the bridge, near Sausalito.
We spent much of the day in the colourful district of Haight Ashbury, and I’ll share lots of images from there soon. Meanwhile for the Monochrome Madness challenge this week, here are a handful of my shots from that day which I think work well as black and white edits. And these shots should also suit Terri’s Sunday Stills colour challenge this month.
Cable car on Powell Street, near Union Square
On Powell Street
Early morning fog on Mason Street
Union Square architecture
Building on Geary Street, near Union Square
The City Hall
Old and new on Market Street, near City Hall
In Haight Ashbury
Car parked in Haight Ashbury (‘eat well travel often’ could be my motto!)
Parking lot in Haight Ashbury
In Haight Ashbury
The Golden Gate Bridge from the north, with San Francisco in fog
I last visited San Francisco in September 2024 when all these photos were taken
12 Comments
Rose
Beautiful black and white photos of a pretty white city. We have our own photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on our wall. After viewing your photos, I wonder how our photo would look, how it might ‘feel’ if it were black and white.
the eternal traveller
We spent a week there at the start of 2020. It’s a beautiful city and we would love to go again one day.
Nemorino
In 1970, during the Indian occupation of Alcatraz, I went over to the island with some colleagues from the radio station in Berkeley where I was working. We installed a transmitter so they could broadcast live reports on our station, which they proceeded to do for several months. — (Don aka Nemorino, in case I am marked as “Anonymous” or “Someone”.)
EgÃdio
What a beautiful trip you shared with us!
Marie
Wonderful photos – especially the trolley and bridge. We visited in ’89 and ’01 (I think!) but on both occasions we really only allowed time to see the ‘highlights’ so never had a chance to just wander….
Anne Sandler
You captured SF in B&W so well Sarah. Now I don’t have to visit again! It’s a city I won’t drive in because of the hills and parking. I loved your GG bridge image.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Anne 😊 We didn’t drive in the city except to get out of it after collecting our car! I had the route carefully researched and it wasn’t too difficult, but I wouldn’t want to try sightseeing etc. by car – especially as there are plenty of other options.
Ingrid
My husband lived in San Francisco before he and I met, and can you believe that I’ve never visited that city? Crazy! Beautiful photos. I especially like that last image of the bridge.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Wow, few folks do b&w as well as you, Sarah! You captured the vibe of the City by the Bay so perfectly! I love the guys playing guitar in the Haight! Such a throwback shot! But the bridge in the fog is breathtaking!
I can’t wait to see pics of Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Terri 😊 We loved exploring the Haight as we’re both of an age to associate with all that was cool! And it still has a great vibe today, as that shot I hope shows. You’ll almost certainly see it in colour soon!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ingrid 🙂 I hope you get to visit San Francisco one day, it’s a fascinating city to explore.
Annie Berger
Great shots, Sarah. My favorite was also of the fog rolling in over the bridge. We’ll be there in late December visiting our son and his family so you just whetted my appetite for the City by the Bay.