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January 29, 2025

San Francisco in the Early 1980s Through Fascinating Photos

In the early 1980s, San Francisco was a city at the crossroads of change. The skyline was evolving with new developments, while its streets buzzed with the energy of a diverse population. The tech boom was starting to take off, but neighborhoods like the Mission and Tenderloin still held onto their gritty, eclectic charm.

Punk rock, new wave, and the remnants of the 60s counterculture shaped the music scene, while the city’s LGBTQ+ community was becoming more visible, despite the looming crisis of AIDS. With its mix of progressive activism, economic shifts, and cultural vibrancy, early 80s San Francisco was a place of both innovation and struggle, where bold ideas and tough realities coexisted on every corner.

These fascinating photos were found by Thomas Hawk that show street scenes of San Francisco in 1981 and 1982.

Alioto's, San Francisco, 1981

Cable cars, San Francisco, 1981

Cable cars, San Francisco, 1981

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, 1981

Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, 1981

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, 1981

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, 1981

Hotel Pickwick, San Francisco, 1981

Mint Building, San Francisco, 1981

Old Blue, San Francisco, 1981

Russian Hill, San Francisco, 1981

San Francisco, 1981

USS Somers (DD-947), San Francisco, 1981

555 California Street, San Francisco, 1982

California Street, San Francisco, 1982

Filbert Street, San Francisco, 1982

Green Street, San Francisco, 1982

Jackson and Broderick, San Francisco, 1982

Lombard Street, San Francisco, 1982

San Francisco, 1982

San Francisco, 1982

San Francisco, 1982

San Francisco, 1982

San Francisco, 1982

Washday Blues, San Francisco, 1982

Washington and Broderick, San Francisco, 1982

9 comments:

  1. San Francisco in the 1980s (especially the early 80s) was still a nice place to live and work, although things were slowly deteriorating. I worked with and lived near all types of people (blue and white collar workers, punks, transvestites, gay people, gay bashers, recent immigrants, junkies, etc.). Most people were nice but some had serious issues. Everyone was in the City because it was a fun place to live. Today I wouldn't visit San Francisco if they offered me a key to the city. It's turned into a magnet for trash, civic mismanagement, and crime. It's a real shame.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to Kensington, Philadelphia.

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    2. Visited in the late 60's and liked the city. Visited in 2020 for a relatives graduation and will never go back for anything, totally disgusting!

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  2. Welcome to blue cities.

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  3. I would love to see comparison photos taken today of all the same shots.

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  4. I used to love going to SF back in the late 70’s through the late 1990’s. There were some homeless people but nothing compared to today. Such a shame because it is a beautiful city but only from a distance these days. I would also love to see some comparison photos of the same places. When anyone visits us from out of state, I never mention going to SF because it’s disgusting and not what it once was. You can blame a majority of this on Gavin Newsome.

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  5. As someone who grew up there, I echo the thoughts of those who have already commented. About every 2 years I made a point of taking my husband to all the places I knew and loved in SF. Then it started getting trashed physically and eventually became a "sanctuary city." I haven't been back in years because I no longer want to give them my tourist dollars.

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  6. There in the late 50s and early 60s. Loved the city. Wouldn't visit today if I could.

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  7. Wow. Lots of negative comments. I’ve lived in SF for nearly 30 years. Best life choice decision I ever made moving here. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in these “united” states. Except NYC. Manhattan preferably. However, I’m good in SF. I ❤️ SF.

    ReplyDelete




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