San Francisco, July 14 - 21

2020 brought the strangest July I have ever experienced in more than 30 years of living San Francisco. Just as more businesses were opening back up, COVID-19 cases started to spike and openings were paused or reversed. Bars and salons are still closed. How is one to get a drink or haircut?

I did manage to go to an art gallery and have lunch with a friend. The city continues to offer many photographic opportunities. Here are a few offerings from that week.

Orchids for sale at the Civic Center Farmers Market.

A boarded-up corner store in the Tenderloin made a for a handy blackboard for someone’s conspiracy theories.

We had a comet visit in early July 2020. In San Francisco, it was difficult to see because there was too much light pollution. Plus, most nights are completely socked in by the famous summer fog. Still, someone on Nob Hill drew a chalk tribute to the earth and the celestial forces around it.

Strange virus stencils next to a “Justice for George” stencil on a sidewalk in the South of Market neighborhood.

Sunlight reflecting off a building created interesting designs on a sidewalk South of Market.

Colorful names adorn SFIEC Cosmetology school. Who knows when it will reopen?

Spiderman guards Coit Liquors in North Beach.

Patricia’s Flowers in North Beach brightens the neighborhood.

As part of the @PaintTheVoid project, street artists paint boarded-up windows of Hotel Zetta on 5th Street.

Old black and white photographs outside the closed Comstock Saloon on Columbus Avenue.

One by one, retail stores are opening up in Union Square. This is a reflection in the BVLGARI store window. Neiman Marcus is across the street .

Floating blue dress in Macy’s window display.

This is one of several similar pieces of street art on Stevenson Alley near 6th Street.

Black lives matter street art by Rodney Ewing.

Frida Kahlo makes a point to wear a face mask at the entrance of one business.

I have walked past 455 Market Street many times but have never seen the light shining off the corner of the building in this way.

At the same time the light was shining off 455 Market Street, light was also reflecting off another skyscraper, illuminating Front Street and One Maritime Plaza.

A woman taking a stroll with a tram at Embarcadero Plaza.

A brand new, expanded ferry terminal is opening up on the Embarcadero. The late afternoon light makes for some interesting shadows.

The reflection of the Bay Bridge never gets old.

The Providian Financial Building (completed in 1981) reflected in the Park Tower Building (completed in 2019).

The exoskeleton of the Transbay Transit Center as seen from the inside.

The Chinese Hospital has a picture out front of what must be employees.

Someone in Ross Alley is creative with the spelling of their address.

Street art in Chinatown.