February 2021 welcomed the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Ox to San Francisco. Good thing too! The year of the Rat that encompassed much of 2020 was a really sucky year.
In 2020 San Francisco did have its traditional Chinese New Year Festival and Parade just weeks before the pandemic shut everything down. The Chinese New Year Parade was started in the 1860s by Chinese immigrants and helped to educate the greater community about Chinese culture. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the largest of its kind outside of Asia. This year, the parade was cancelled to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Organizers shifted focus to the “Year of the Ox on Parade,” a citywide exhibition featuring 11 life-size oxen sculptures designed and created by local artists.
Although the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade were cancelled, February brought signs of change in San Francisco. Outdoor dining resumed, breathing life into the city streets and sidewalks. The city opened up COVID vaccination centers. With the nightmare Trump Presidency starting to slowly fade way, and with the promise of spring around the corner, the Year of the Ox brought with it hope for better days ahead.
This is the Stockton Street tunnel that connects Chinatown with Union Square. I took this at night and to stabilize the camera I put it against the wall of the tunnel.
This gazebo sits in 101 California Street plaza. I think it would normally be used as a flower stand, but it now stands empty.
I don’t remember what was in this space on the ground level of 555 California Street. When I walked by it I was drawn to it by its industrial, architectural emptiness.
Late afternoon light reflecting off 425 Market Street.
The steps of Grace Cathedral decorated to celebrate Mardi Gras. Grace Cathedral is still closed to the public.
The moorings on the North Side of Pier 39 are owned by sea lions. They moved in shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The moorings to the south of Pier 39 pictured here still harbor sailboats.
“Unity” by artist Eduardo Valadez Arenas welcomes The Year of the Ox to Union Square.
Classic car cruising down Mission Street on a Saturday afternoon.
Trees with red bark thrive in Salesforce Park.
East Cut office tower windows sit empty, waiting for workers to return.
The Transbay Terminal has round seats with lights underneath them.
“Ancient Technology” by artist Stephanie Mufson looks up at the Salesforce Tower.
The historic Great Star Theater on Jackson Street is closed for renovations. I hope they don’t touch the sign! It has developed plenty of character over the years.
Happy cows welcome the Lunar New Year to Chinatown store windows.
Wash This! Is a Laundromat on Mason Street in North Beach.
I don’t know why, but for years, the lure of a city laundromat has been an irresistible subject for me to photograph. Maybe it’s something about the washers and dryers just waiting around for someone to put clothes in them. Or maybe it’s the communal space where people go to do their weekly chores and air their dirty laundry. Or maybe it’s just the idea of clean clothes fresh and warm coming out of the dryer. More likely, it is the retro style of machines lined up like some army ready to get to work. Whatever it is, I’m thankful for city laundromats to photograph, but also thankful we have a laundry room where I live so I don’t have to use them.
Luxury kitchen goods retailer Sur La Table used to occupy this spot in the San Francisco Ferry Building. It was a perfect accompaniment to the farmers market right outside every Saturday. So sad to see this like so many great retail stores go out of business. We took a cooking class at Sur La Table year ago, and still regularly use the recipes we learned there.
Late afternoon light mixes with the smoke from hot dog stands at the bustling corner of 4th and Market Streets.
This retro looking newspaper stand at Spear and Markets Streets has been closed for years now. Some painted this MY LLAMA DON’T DO DRAMA artwork on it.
The Embarcadero towers reflected in the windows of One California Street.
Gateway Apartment balconies.
All over town, people have painted and decorated outdoor dining structures. This one is on Pacific Avenue in Chinatown.
Lanterns, flowers and sunshine frame Wentworth Place in Chinatown.
I liked the way this ACAB graffiti contrasted with flowers poking up from the sidewalk on Jones Street.
This is part of the brand new ferry terminal along The Embarcadero. The area has been transformed and expanded and now has six ferry gates.
A February full moon rising behind the Bay Bridge.
Light reflecting off the water next to Pier 3.
Heat lamps keep outdoor diners toasty warm at La Mar restaurant on The Embarcadero.
San Francisco has made the area around and in between many piers public space. This sweet spot is between Piers 5 and 7.