Tall bridge tower with cloud swirling
Architecture,  California,  Monochrome Madness,  Photographic techniques,  Street photography,  Travel galleries

Gallery: seeing San Francisco in black and white

John Steinbeck

We enjoyed our first visit to San Francisco back in 1991 so on this California trip we included a day there at the start. It gave us a chance to see a few places we’d missed then, as well as to recover from the journey and the jet lag before Chris had to start driving.

We stayed near Union Square and spent the day using the Hop On Hop Off bus for convenience to take in some sights in scattered parts of the city.

After some early morning fog we enjoyed a beautifully sunny day, although the clouds descended again briefly in the afternoon, just in time for us to get some atmospheric shots from the viewing area on the north side of the bridge, near Sausalito.

We spent much of the day in the colourful district of Haight Ashbury, and I’ll share lots of images from there soon. Meanwhile for the Monochrome Madness challenge this week, here are a handful of my shots from that day which I think work well as black and white edits. And these shots should also suit Terri’s Sunday Stills colour challenge this month.

Old cable car on a city street

Cable car on Powell Street, near Union Square


Man in a hoodie with a comical figure on the back

Ornate lamp post and buildings obscured by fog

Looking up at large building with decorative details at the top

Building with metal balconies and fire escapes

Building with large ornate dome

Looking up at the top of a modern and an older building

Street signs and banners advertising a jazz festival


Car with slogans and a skull and crossbones flag

Empty parking space and a wall with slogan, 'Listen to this wall'

Man playing guitar on the street with another sitting listening

Tall bridge tower with cloud swirling

I last visited San Francisco in September 2024 when all these photos were taken

36 Comments

    • Sarah Wilkie

      Thank you Meg πŸ™‚ Interestingly we had fog early that day, it cleared by 9.00 AM and returned briefly in the early afternoon just in time to add some drama to our Golden Gate Bridge shots before clearing again!

  • Margie Miklas

    I loved this post. One reason is because I enjoy visiting San Francisco, and two, because I appreciate B&W photography. You captired the fog on the bridge beautifully. I loves all the images from Haight-Ashbury. You definitely captured the spirit of that neighborhood!

  • Vicki

    These images turned out extremely well in B & W, not always the case in more natural surroundings. Love the last shot. Great example of the fog and how it affects the bridge. It really does soften the sharp lines and shapes.

  • Rebecca

    Ah, what a coincidence, as I just posted a SF post on my blog! SF is such a beautiful city, isn’t it? A lovely slice of California, and it’s gorgeous regardless of whether it’s foggy or sunny. I’m sure the city has changed a lot since you last visited in 1991, and I’m glad you enjoyed yourself just as much this time around. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!

    • Sarah Wilkie

      Thanks Rebecca πŸ™‚ Yes I saw (and commented on) your post! We loved SF on both occasions and although it’s changed a bit there was still a lot that we remembered from that 1991 visit.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      Thank you Phil πŸ™‚ I laughed at your wardrobe comment as that was out experience last time we were there, but on this occasion we found the early morning fog lifting by c 8.00 AM and warm sunshine throughout the day apart from that brief foggy spell coinciding nicely with our Golden Gate viewpoint stop πŸ™‚

  • Rose

    Beautiful black and white photos of a pretty white city. We have our own photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on our wall. After viewing your photos, I wonder how our photo would look, how it might ‘feel’ if it were black and white.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      Thank you Rose πŸ™‚ I have to say that having tried both I prefer my own shots in colour (you’ll probably see at least one here soon) but I do quite like the moodier black and white effect too.

  • Nemorino

    In 1970, during the Indian occupation of Alcatraz, I went over to the island with some colleagues from the radio station in Berkeley where I was working. We installed a transmitter so they could broadcast live reports on our station, which they proceeded to do for several months. β€” (Don aka Nemorino, in case I am marked as “Anonymous” or “Someone”.)

    • Sarah Wilkie

      That’s an interesting bit of history Don. We visited Alcatraz on our previous trip to San Francisco – absolutely fascinating as well as chilling. And thanks for including your name, although on this occasion it wasn’t necessary!

  • Marie

    Wonderful photos – especially the trolley and bridge. We visited in ’89 and ’01 (I think!) but on both occasions we really only allowed time to see the ‘highlights’ so never had a chance to just wander….

    • Sarah Wilkie

      Thank you Maggie πŸ™‚ I suspect Haight Ashbury has been somewhat gentrified in places and the vibe is a little more contrived, but it still seemed like a great place to hang out and probably to live in too!

  • Anne Sandler

    You captured SF in B&W so well Sarah. Now I don’t have to visit again! It’s a city I won’t drive in because of the hills and parking. I loved your GG bridge image.

    • Sarah Wilkie

      Thanks so much Anne 😊 We didn’t drive in the city except to get out of it after collecting our car! I had the route carefully researched and it wasn’t too difficult, but I wouldn’t want to try sightseeing etc. by car – especially as there are plenty of other options.

  • Ingrid

    My husband lived in San Francisco before he and I met, and can you believe that I’ve never visited that city? Crazy! Beautiful photos. I especially like that last image of the bridge.

    • Terri Webster Schrandt

      Wow, few folks do b&w as well as you, Sarah! You captured the vibe of the City by the Bay so perfectly! I love the guys playing guitar in the Haight! Such a throwback shot! But the bridge in the fog is breathtaking!
      I can’t wait to see pics of Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra.

      • Sarah Wilkie

        Thanks so much Terri 😊 We loved exploring the Haight as we’re both of an age to associate with all that was cool! And it still has a great vibe today, as that shot I hope shows. You’ll almost certainly see it in colour soon!

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