The last two weeks of November 2020 felt very, very tentative to me - like we were all in some sort of strange state of stasis. The election had been decided, but there was no acknowledgment from the president that he had lost. I was working a dream job for a company I really wanted to work for, but I realized it was far more challenging than I had anticipated. Many restaurants and small businesses throughout San Francisco had made progress to again become profitable, but as the pandemic rolled on, it became clear that many more simply would not be able to make it. The days went by with endless beautiful blue skies, which would normally be fine, except that our rainy season should have started, and 2020 had been a year with draught and terrible wildfires. By mid-November, we were also supposed to be enjoying fresh, local Dungeness crab, but the season was delayed because of the fear of Humpback whales off the California coast getting caught in fishing gear. Then there was Thanksgiving - which was celebrated in spirit, was without the physical company of loved ones. Most startling for me, as I walked around taking pictures, was how quiet the streets were during the week of Thanksgiving. With few people and cars on the streets, parts of the city take on a feeling almost like somewhere else, or from another time.
The Goethe-Institut of San Francisco on Bush Street is a center for German language and culture. Currently closed due to the pandemic, sunlight shines in from the street making its colorful walls glow.
Spring Street in the Financial District is dominated by the Bank of America building.
In November, strong shadows crawl along the Financial District office towers in the middle of the day. Here, the Transamerica Pyramid unique’s shape is framed by shadows and trees.
This is one of a series of a girl growing up with a tree on a mural at Battery and Pacific Streets.
The outdoor dining structure for Mr. Bing’s Cocktail Lounge has been painted with a rather festive mural featuring Chinatown and North Beach icons. Mr. Bing’s has operated on this corner for over 50 years. Considered a heritage business and a quintessential dive bar, its known as a destination for cheap boozers who like games of liar's dice, general squalor, and cheap alcohol.
Someone has been putting these BUTTER AND SALMON stickers all over Chinatown and North Beach. This one adds to the character of a decrepit pay phone.
A home made ad taped to a light pole on Powell Street. I wonder, what do you get for $190? And what do you get for $600?
The SF Masonic Auditorium sits at the top of Taylor Street on Nob Hill. The building was designed by Bay Area architect Albert Roller and opened in 1958. On the front of the building there is a large frieze by Emile Norman bearing the inscription "Dedicated to our Masonic Brethren who died in the cause of freedom", depicting stylized servicemen from each of the four branches of the Armed Services, and a global tug of war representing global struggles. Inside the lobby is a huge mosaic window also designed by Emile Norman. The window depicts a variety of natural and Masonic themes. It contains gravel and soil from each of the 58 counties in California.
The SF Masonic serves as the meeting venue for the Masons of California during their Annual Communication, and is also used as a concert venue the rest of the year. Only two blocks from our home, it's an incredibly convenient venue for us to see shows. We've seen many amazing performers there, including Annie Lennox, Sting, Gary Clark Jr and The Doobie Brothers.
Very strange street art by Fabiobene on Bay Street.
Holiday window display at Crate and Barrel in Union Square.
Saks Fifth Avenue on Union Square always has wonderful holiday window displays. This one is for perfumes.
Daytime shadows stretch across the streets this time of year.
The Koshland Building in Levi Strauss Plaza has wonderful geometric patterns.
Darrel Place is a small walkway off the Filbert Street steps on Telegraph Hill. Someone has posted a sign there indicating no exit in several different languages.
Bougainvillea contrasts with a palm tree at the corner of Filbert and Montgomery Streets on Telegraph hill.
This walkway is just below Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill. I would love to live there, but I’ve often wondered how residents handle bringing everything in and out of their homes without direct street access.
A peek-a-boo view through the trees on Telegraph Hill towards North Beach, Chinatown and Nob Hill.
Scaffolding in front of a construction site on Telegraph Hill.
Looking North down Chestnut Street past Saints Peter and Paul Church.
Bongos in a window display at Filbert Street and Grant Avenue.
Some creative face masks posted to a mannequin on Grant Avenue in North Beach.
Boarded up door on Polk Street.
Hot Cookie on Polk Street was closed the day after Thanksgiving. Still, they are still promoting their hot cookies.
To promote neighborhood shopping, the city has closed some streets during the weekends. This is Grant Avenue in Chinatown.
Sharp shadows cast from a gate on Jones Street.
This Jump Credit ad on a bus shelter at Sacramento and Powell created a visual effect of a woman leaping over the Transamerica Pyramid.