In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, on March 16, 2020, Mayor London Breed announced a city-issued public health shelter-in-place order prohibiting residents from leaving their homes except to meet basic needs. So of course, I had to venture out with my camera to document this exceptionally unusual moment in our history (while observing social distancing guidelines of course). These were shot on the first day of the shutdown, Tuesday March 17, 2020 starting at 5:30pm, a time on normal weekday when sidewalks are full of people and the streets are gridlocked with traffic.
Bush Street at Sansome. Bush Street is typically backed up for blocks with commuters trying to make their way onto the Bay Bridge.
Sansome Street
Embarcadero Plaza, previously known as Justin Herman Plaza.
The Embarcadero. There were a few people out running and getting exercise.
Pier 27. This is where the cruise ships dock in San Francisco.
Pacific Avenue looking up toward Russian Hill.
Looking down Broadway Street toward The Bay.
Powell Street in Chinatown.
Washington Street cable car tracks. Cable cars and the old street cars are no longer running and have been replaced by bus shuttles.
Looking down California Street.
Nob Hill - looking down Taylor Street (there were some kids on skateboards at the the top of the hill but while I was there they didn’t work up the nerve to skate down the hill)