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1970s San Francisco: Fascinating Vintage Photos Show Street Scenes And Everyday Life

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The 1970s San Francisco was beautiful, flamboyant, and alive. There were, cable cars, neon lights lined up the buildings that glow at night, theaters on every block, and the food was served on the streets, crabs, and lobsters were also served on the streets. The city was at the forefront of fashion, music, and the counterculture movement. The skyline was unmarked by the hideous new buildings.

It was the era of hippies, bohemians, buskers, bongo-drum players, and jewelry makers. Golden Gate Park was where many hippies congregated and hung out and there was a lot of nudity as well. It was common to see a naked hippy playing the guitar or a naked man and woman making love while bands played music. Haight-Ashbury was a neighborhood where most of the things were free. It also became trashed in the early 70s, and the government moved in to clean up Haight Ashbury in 1972 and 73.

These amazing photos will take you back to the 1970s San Francisco.

#1 Page Street near Fillmore, Lower Haight, San Francisco, 1974

Page Street near Fillmore, Lower Haight, San Francisco, 1974

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#2 Market Street, San Francisco, 1977

Market Street, San Francisco, 1977

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#3 Looking west at 23rd and Hampshire in the Mission district during a winter rainstorm, San Francisco, 1978

Looking west at 23rd and Hampshire in the Mission district during a winter rainstorm, San Francisco, 1978

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#4 Larry’s Liquor, 201 Octavia Street, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1979

Larry's Liquor, 201 Octavia Street, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1979

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#5 San Francisco Bay from Ghirardelli Square, 1970.

San Francisco Bay from Ghirardelli Square, 1970.

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#6 A protest meeting is seen on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets on October 22, 1970 in San Francisco.

A protest meeting is seen on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets on October 22, 1970 in San Francisco.

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#7 Fell Street between Fillmore and Steiner, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1979

Fell Street between Fillmore and Steiner, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1979

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#8 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, 1979

Fillmore Street, San Francisco, 1979

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#9 PCC heading downtown on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street on a foggy early evening, 1970

PCC heading downtown on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street on a foggy early evening, 1970

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#10 PCC heading downtown on Market Street approaching Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

PCC heading downtown on Market Street approaching Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

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#11 PCC on the J-Line about to pass under the pedestrain walkway in Dolores Park at 19th, 1971

PCC on the J-Line about to pass under the pedestrain walkway in Dolores Park at 19th, 1971

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#12 San Francisco skyline, with Trans America Building. 1970

San Francisco skyline, with Trans America Building. 1970

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#13 Cable section from bridge cable in front of Golden Gate Bridge on September 25, 1970 in San Francisc.

Cable section from bridge cable in front of Golden Gate Bridge on September 25, 1970 in San Francisc.

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#14 Devotees singing ang playing instruments in a hippy commune, San Francisco, 1971.

Devotees singing ang playing instruments in a hippy commune, San Francisco, 1971.

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#15 An estimated 40,000 fans saw the first 49ers football game played at Candlestick Park in 1971.

An estimated 40,000 fans saw the first 49ers football game played at Candlestick Park in 1971.

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#16 Fisherman’s Wharf, July 27, 1971.

Fisherman's Wharf, July 27, 1971.

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#17 Supervisor Dianne Feinstein running for Mayor, October 6, 1971

Supervisor Dianne Feinstein running for Mayor, October 6, 1971

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#18 Berkeley Students striking on the street in San Francisco, California, 1972

Berkeley Students striking on the street in San Francisco, California, 1972

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#19 DuPont Market, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown San Francisco, 1970

DuPont Market, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown San Francisco, 1970

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#20 A 1960 Cadillac Coupe Deville on 8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1974

A 1960 Cadillac Coupe Deville on 8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1974

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#21 8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1976

8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1976

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#22 Annual Hare Krishna gathering, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 1977

Annual Hare Krishna gathering, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 1977

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#23 Mission district rainy afternoon, San Francisco, 1977

Mission district rainy afternoon, San Francisco, 1977

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#24 Baker’s Market, Fulton and Baker Streets, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1978

Baker's Market, Fulton and Baker Streets, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1978

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#25 Lakeside Liquors, 2188 Mission Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1978

Lakeside Liquors, 2188 Mission Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1978

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#26 Houses on 22nd Street between Church and Sanchez, San Francisco, 1979

Houses on 22nd Street between Church and Sanchez, San Francisco, 1979

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#27 Market and Octavia, San Francisco, 1979

Market and Octavia, San Francisco, 1979

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#28 Powell-Mason cable car route on the Taylor Street turntable at Bay Street, 1970

Powell-Mason cable car route on the Taylor Street turntable at Bay Street, 1970

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#29 Market Street at Sanchez Street/15th Street in early evening

Market Street at Sanchez Street/15th Street in early evening

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#30 PCC heading southwest on Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking northeast, 1971

PCC heading southwest on Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking northeast, 1971

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#31 Powell Street at the end-of-line turntable at Market Street, 1971

Powell Street at the end-of-line turntable at Market Street, 1971

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#32 MUNI J-Church line streetcar, 21st Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1974

MUNI J-Church line streetcar, 21st Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1974

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#33 Apartment building being moved to it’s new location, Ellis and Divisadero, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1977

Apartment building being moved to it's new location, Ellis and Divisadero, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1977

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#34 Mural painting in progress on the side of the Keystone Korner, North Beach, San Francisco, 1979

Mural painting in progress on the side of the Keystone Korner, North Beach, San Francisco, 1979

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#35 Two men sitting on park bench sheltering from the sun under an umbrella, San Francisco California, 1970.

Two men sitting on park bench sheltering from the sun under an umbrella, San Francisco California, 1970.

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#36 The Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, Pine Street, the centre of the financial area for San Francisco. January 1970.

The Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, Pine Street, the centre of the financial area for San Francisco. January 1970.

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#37 Tong’s Restaurant, one of the many chinese restaurants in Chinatown, San Francisco, 1970.

Tong's Restaurant, one of the many chinese restaurants in Chinatown, San Francisco, 1970.

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#38 Anti War Rally at Golden Gate Park circa 1971 in San Francisco.

Anti War Rally at Golden Gate Park circa 1971 in San Francisco.

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#39 Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, July 27, 1971

Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf, July 27, 1971

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#40 Le Conte Elementary School students, riding a bus in San Francisco, California, 1972

Le Conte Elementary School students, riding a bus in San Francisco, California, 1972

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#41 Ballet women perform before the Marriage of Raggedy Robin to Raggedy Jane at the First Unitarian Church on May 1, 1971 in San Francisc.

Ballet women perform before the Marriage of Raggedy Robin to Raggedy Jane at the First Unitarian Church on May 1, 1971 in San Francisc.

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#42 Grant Street grocery, Chinatown-North Beach district, San Francisco, 1970

Grant Street grocery, Chinatown-North Beach district, San Francisco, 1970

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#43 Lakeside Liquors, Mission district, San Francisco, 1974

Lakeside Liquors, Mission district, San Francisco, 1974

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#44 San Francisco Municipal Railway, 1974

San Francisco Municipal Railway, 1974

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#45 1951 Chevrolet pickup truck, 8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1976

1951 Chevrolet pickup truck, 8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1976

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#46 This building has been restored and now sits at 1720-1722 Fillmore near Sutter, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1976

This building has been restored and now sits at 1720-1722 Fillmore near Sutter, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1976

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#47 Valencia and 15th, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

Valencia and 15th, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

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#48 Woodward and Duboce, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

Woodward and Duboce, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

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#49 Woodward between 14th Street and Duboce, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

Woodward between 14th Street and Duboce, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

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#50 Alabama Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1977

Alabama Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1977

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#51 Foreground is Mission Street near Fair, Bernal Heights district, San Francisco, 1977

Foreground is Mission Street near Fair, Bernal Heights district, San Francisco, 1977

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#52 Laundromat attendant, Fulton and Divisadero, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1977

Laundromat attendant, Fulton and Divisadero, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1977

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#53 Public housing projects, Turk Street, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1978

Public housing projects, Turk Street, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1978

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#54 Silverwing Cafe on Kearny Street, old International Hotel can be seen in the window reflection, 855 Kearny Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1978

Silverwing Cafe on Kearny Street, old International Hotel can be seen in the window reflection, 855 Kearny Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1978

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#55 Intersection of Mission and 18th Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1979

Intersection of Mission and 18th Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1979

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#56 California Street cable car route. View northeast on California Street between Kearny Street and Grant Avenue, 1970

California Street cable car route. View northeast on California Street between Kearny Street and Grant Avenue, 1970

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#57 PCC heading downtown on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street on a foggy early evening, 1970

PCC heading downtown on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street on a foggy early evening, 1970

1 Point

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#58 Church Street at Market Street on the J-Line looking east, 1971

Church Street at Market Street on the J-Line looking east, 1971

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#59 Market Street at 3rd Street_Geary Street looking northeast, 1971

Market Street at 3rd Street_Geary Street looking northeast, 1971

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#60 Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking southwest, 1971

Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking southwest, 1971

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#61 Night view of Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking northeast, 1971

Night view of Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking northeast, 1971

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#62 PCC on the J-Line about to pass under the pedestrain walkway in Dolores Park at 19th Street looking north, 1971

PCC on the J-Line about to pass under the pedestrain walkway in Dolores Park at 19th Street looking north, 1971

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#63 Powell-Hyde cable car route. View east on Lombard Street at Hyde Street, 1971

Powell-Hyde cable car route. View east on Lombard Street at Hyde Street, 1971

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#64 Powell-Hyde cable car route. View south on Hyde Street at Lombard Street, 1971

Powell-Hyde cable car route. View south on Hyde Street at Lombard Street, 1971

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#65 Powell-Hyde cable car route. View south on Hyde Street from Lombard Street, 1971

Powell-Hyde cable car route. View south on Hyde Street from Lombard Street, 1971

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#66 View north on Powell Street between Bush Street and Sutter Street, 1971

View north on Powell Street between Bush Street and Sutter Street, 1971

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#67 View north on Powell Street just north of Market Street, 1971

View north on Powell Street just north of Market Street, 1971

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#68 Police officer arresting protestors in a street, San Francisco, 1970.

Police officer arresting protestors in a street, San Francisco, 1970.

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#69 An anti-Vietnam War peace march up Post Street, San Francisco, 1970.

An anti-Vietnam War peace march up Post Street, San Francisco, 1970.

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#70 John Voight with his girlfriend Jennifer Salt at San Francisco’s airport, 1970.

John Voight with his girlfriend Jennifer Salt at San Francisco's airport, 1970.

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#71 Black Panther Party stages a protest against racism in San Francisco, 1970.

Black Panther Party stages a protest against racism in San Francisco, 1970.

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#72 A Native American man on crutches takes a picture during a takeover of Alcatraz Island by a group of Native Americans, San Francisco, June 1970.

A Native American man on crutches takes a picture during a takeover of Alcatraz Island by a group of Native Americans, San Francisco, June 1970.

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#73 Roller derby at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

Roller derby at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

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#74 Chinatown Gate in San Francisco, 1972.

Chinatown Gate in San Francisco, 1972.

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#75 A woman walking by a message that says “I wish I had a Watermelon” with a crushed watermelon lays on the ground circa January, 1972.

A woman walking by a message that says "I wish I had a Watermelon" with a crushed watermelon lays on the ground circa January, 1972.

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#76 Le Conte Elementary School, riding a bus in San Francisco, California, 1972

Le Conte Elementary School, riding a bus in San Francisco, California, 1972

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#77 DuPont Market, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown San Francisco, 1970

DuPont Market, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown San Francisco, 1970

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#78 Man trying on shoes at the Salvation Army store on Howard and 6th Street, San Francisco, 1970

Man trying on shoes at the Salvation Army store on Howard and 6th Street, San Francisco, 1970

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#79 Watch repairman, Polk Street, Tenderloin, San Francisco, 1970

Watch repairman, Polk Street, Tenderloin, San Francisco, 1970

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#80 8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1976

8th Avenue, Richmond district, San Francisco, 1976

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#81 Bystanders at the Bicentennial parade, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, July 1976

Bystanders at the Bicentennial parade, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, July 1976

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#82 MUNI J-Church line, PCC car no. 1018, Liberty Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

MUNI J-Church line, PCC car no. 1018, Liberty Street, Mission district, San Francisco, 1976

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#83 Western Addition, San Francisco, 1976

Western Addition, San Francisco, 1976

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#84 Ellis Street, between Scott and Divisidero, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1977

Ellis Street, between Scott and Divisidero, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1977

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#85 Driver for Coast House Movers, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1977

Driver for Coast House Movers, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1977

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#86 Mission district, San Francisco, 1977

Mission district, San Francisco, 1977

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#87 People’s Temple, San Francisco, 1979

People's Temple, San Francisco, 1979

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#88 Wash Dry 10 Cents Laundromat, 806 Divisadero Street, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1979

Wash Dry 10 Cents Laundromat, 806 Divisadero Street, Western Addition district, San Francisco, 1979

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#89 World Motors, 18th and Valencia Streets, Mission district, San Francisco, 1979

World Motors, 18th and Valencia Streets, Mission district, San Francisco, 1979

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#90

1970s San Francisco: Fascinating Vintage Photos Show Street Scenes And Everyday Life

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#91

1970s San Francisco: Fascinating Vintage Photos Show Street Scenes And Everyday Life

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#92

1970s San Francisco: Fascinating Vintage Photos Show Street Scenes And Everyday Life

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#93 1300 block McAllister Street, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1976

1300 block McAllister Street, Western Addition, San Francisco, 1976

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#94 Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking southwest, 1971

Market Street at 3rd Street/Geary Street looking southwest, 1971

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#95 Market Street at 5th Street/Eddy Street/Powell Street looking east, 1971

Market Street at 5th Street/Eddy Street/Powell Street looking east, 1971

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#96 Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

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#97 PCC heading downtown on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

PCC heading downtown on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

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#98 PCC on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

PCC on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

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#99 PCC on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

PCC on Market Street between Noe Street/16th Street and Sanchez Street/15th Street, 1971

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#100 PCC on Wawona Street at the end of the L-Line looking northwest, 1971

PCC on Wawona Street at the end of the L-Line looking northwest, 1971

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#101 Powell-Hyde cable car route. View southeast on Hyde Street at Lombard Street, 1971

Powell-Hyde cable car route. View southeast on Hyde Street at Lombard Street, 1971

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#102 View north on Powell Street just north of Market Street, 1971

View north on Powell Street just north of Market Street, 1971

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#103 Wawona Street at the end of the L-Line looking east, 1971

Wawona Street at the end of the L-Line looking east, 1971

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#104 Hunters Point old wartime sheet rock holding. January 20, 1972.

Hunters Point old wartime sheet rock holding. January 20, 1972.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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Emma Brandy says:

August 1, 2020 at 08:22 Copy Link of a Comment

I look at the style of the 70s verses the style of today and it just makes me sad.

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Jack Sparrow says:

August 1, 2020 at 08:20 Copy Link of a Comment

A golden era for hippies.. there was a lot lot of nudity in the 60s and 70s, which i’m missing here.

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Philip Conner says:

February 3, 2022 at 13:51 Copy Link of a Comment

Fun to look thru.

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Thundering Rhino says:

September 20, 2023 at 21:35 Copy Link of a Comment

The vintage photos are amazing! I remember those times so vividly as a San Francisco native in my 20s during the 1970s.

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Golden Phoenix says:

September 20, 2023 at 21:35 Copy Link of a Comment

It is unfortunate that moving entire buildings is not a common practice anymore.

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Stealth Panther says:

September 20, 2023 at 21:35 Copy Link of a Comment

Interesting photos. It would be great to see some images of the old Army-Navy surplus stores on Market, the vintage bookstores, and Winterland.

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