Four weeks so far. How many more weeks to go? No one seems to know. Are we getting used to this?
Our reality shifted quickly and all of a sudden some things are very different. Yet so much is still the same. We are still here. The buildings and streets and plants and animals and city are still here. We have just paused - giving some of us a chance to settle in, look around and check it out.
In week four of the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown in San Francisco, I focused less on the new normal. Instead, I gravitated back to capturing all the visual things that I love about this place I call home. Yes, I did take pictures of empty streets - it’s hard to ignore those. But I also shot the things usually shoot: architecture, street art, light, shadows and iconic landmarks. Enjoy! And stay healthy everyone!
The famous “Painted Ladies” Victorian houses across the street from Alamo Square with the San Francisco skyline in the background. San Francisco generally has really clean air compared to most cities, but lately the skies have been brilliantly clear, even by our standards.
This dog park is in Alamo Square. Dogs still have to do what dogs have to do, which includes rolling around in the grass.
This street art by noted San Francisco artist Eclair Bandersnatch is on the side of a convenience store on Divisadero Street.
Andrés Petroselli (Cobre) paints super eye catching works of art. I liked how this one seemed to draw attention to the staircase next to it.
This beautifully painted Victorian on Hayes Street is framed with fragrant jasmine flowers.
Union Square completely empty. No skateboarders today.
One of the many things we look forward to this time of year is the Macy’s Flower Show window displays. This year there is only plywood.
The Barbary Coast Trail is a San Francisco Historical Society walking tour that connects 20 historic sites and history museums. The 3.8 mile trail is marked by these bronze medallions embedded in sidewalks. This is at Mason and Sacramento streets.
There may not be a flower show at Macy’s, but this time of year flowers are blooming all over town. These are at the top of Vallejo street on Russian Hill.
In addition to hearts on windows to show community support, some people have had some time to be extra creative with post-it notes.
A lonely basketball waits for someone to come play at Helen Wills Playground.
Someone lost their hat on Pine street.
The Ferryboats Santa Rosa and San Francisco Belle are known for their dinner cruises operated by Hornblower Cruises. They stand idle on brilliant blue San Francisco Bay at Pier 3.
Broadway Street completely empty.
A porch light on nob hill accented with some dappled shadows.
There are still a few cobblestone paved streets in San Francisco. The late afternoon light really made the stop pop.
A before and after shows the difference in late afternoon traffic on Lombard street. This is the main thoroughfare to the Golden Gate Bridge. These were both taken about the same time of day. The difference in light is dramatically different due to daylight saving time.