These are shots from my hometown, San Francisco.
Local residents call it The City.
The City is dynamic and always changing.
I often say that moving to San Francisco was the best decision I’ve ever made. I think that one of the reasons that I am still alive is that there is an overall generosity of spirit among the people who were born here and who choose to live here. The other way of saying it is to say that The City has a high degree of tolerance for eccentricity.
I live in Hayes Valley and there are at least two parks within walking distance from my house.
The first is Alamo Square Park which was established in 1857.
These Bougainvillea Vines blossom year round and seem to grow wild in certain sections of Alamo Square Park.
I remain clueless as to what the name of this flower is. Thank you to the first person who will tell me. It also looks as if it grows wild.
Golden Gate Park is also close to my house.
Golden Gate Park began in 1861 when San Franciscans decided they wanted a park like Central Park in New York.
This shot was taken in Golden Gate Park in the Spring of 2014.
When I feel ambitious I’ll walk up into Pacific Heights to look at the Bay.
This shot of the Bay was taken from Pacific Heights in 2012.
I love graffiti art and its political commentary. There is no better neighborhood for it than San Francisco’s Mission District. I take my camera out and walk through the “Mission” at least three times a week. There is always a random collage somewhere, like this one on Valencia Street.
Or this public service announcement in Clarion Alley about Lil Sally Slamsalot and using Naloxone (Narcan) to prevent her death from an overdose.
The other thing I love about San Francisco is its sense of humor. It’s everywhere:
There is a hectic beauty to our downtown. This shot was taken on Market Street at Montgomery Avenue.
The last thing I want to say about my home is this: I came here seeking safety, and I found it.
Copyright Robert M. Goldstein, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (text and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert M. Goldstein with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
LOVE LOVE LOVE SF!!! I think there is something about the energy of the city and the people which is contagious and uplifting. I was there just last year and it is always awesome to go back 🙂
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It’s always interesting — And always beautiful. My darkest days in San Francisco are brighter than my best days anywhere else. Thanks for the comment…:)
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I know exactly what you are talking about 🙂
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A beautiful post, Robert. Thanks for sharing your world. Safety matters, but you sure picked a great spot. 💕 p.s. I still want to wear “flowers in my hair”. ☺
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They really show up against the grey I’ve found…:)
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I am SOOO GREEEN with envy.
I’ve only made it to SF once – fell in love.
Of course …. not enough to leave my mountains …
🙂
Gorgeous shots!!
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I think it would take alot of enticement to leave mountains! Thanks Marcus!
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nice shots!
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Thank you, Jim!
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San Francisco has been on my list for a while. Only flew over it once and saw the Golden Gate bridge… on day…!
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If you come to San Francisco I’ll take you on a walking tour of the City.
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That would be awesome! I will for sure let you know! I would love to meet you… all 😁
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🙂
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Beautiful photos Rob! 🙂 Thank you for giving us a tour of your beautiful city! 🙂
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You’re welcome. That post was inspired by a challenge from OM’s blog. I think that we work best when we work with each other in the ways that are unique to us. Thank you for hosting the meet and greet…:)
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You’re welcome! It’s my pleasure 🙂 I love connecting in this way 🙂
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein.
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Robert this is such a wonderful post. It almost renews my old dream of living there. I dreamed for a couple of decades. Now I’d be happy to get anywhere in the desert southwest, or on the west coast. Congrats on making a great decision. Hugs. 🙂
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Thank you–it’s extremely expensive, I’m glad I came when I did and have a rent controlled apartment.
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Hi Rob,
Thanks for your wonderful tour through SF; I enjoyed experiencing it through your eyes. I especially like: “The last thing I want to say about my home is this: I came here seeking safety, and I found it.” Nothing finer has been said of a city.
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Thank you..:)
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The flower’s bougainvillea (I think I’m spelling that right). Gorgeous, isn’t it? Thanks for the photos. They’re beautiful.
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You’re welcome! And thank you for the visit.
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Great post! Makes me nostalgic. I lived in the So. Bay for 2 decades and I love The City.
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Thanks for reading the post–I hope that you’re feeling better.
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Stunning photos. What a great walk through a great city!
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Thank you for your comment and thank you for reading my blog.
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Yo are so welcome. I look forward to your future postings.
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I am so happy that you did this, Rob. I enjoyed this walk through San Francisco. So much color, life, and of course, eccentricity. This was refreshing, as I’ve seen nothing but two weeks of rain, ridiculous humidity, and cold when walking to work and back.
Also, that song about gentle people with flowers in their hair is now stuck in my head.
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Thank you! I’m glad that you enjoyed it, I’m glad that I took OM’s challenge. I think that in 2015 if you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear money in your hair.
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Loved your pictures – but not quite as much as I love San Francisco. When we moved from California and drove across country San Francisco was one of our last stops in our gorgeous golden state and one of the most enjoyable. San Francisco is the best of California – and even though I absolutely love LA, SF is the yin to LA’s yang. They are totally different to each other but as needed as each bookend. Great little love letter.
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Thank you.
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I think that is called bougeinvillea flower. We have them in abundance in India and the branches have thorns too. If I am not wrong, they don’t any fragrance.
I absolutely love SF and its suburbs and had time to explore it on my own some years back. Might be back again this year, if my plans go well 🙂
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Thank you for visiting my blog and for your generous comment.
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I love your Golden Gate Park photo (I like the others also), it speaks to me.
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Thank you, I’m glad that you like the photo.
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Great photos! I could use a little sunshine right now.
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Amazing. I’ve only been to San Francisco for a very short amount of time. I believe it was not even 2 days but I could feel the great vibe this place has. I definitely want to visit again and stay longer. See it properly. Discover it.
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Moving here was the best decision I ever made.
My advice to anyone who visits is to grab a map and walk the City–
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That is the best way to see a city!
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Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
Daily Life in San Francisco! Thanks for sharing some daily photos and for taking part in the HR Challenge! -OM
Note: Comments disabled here, please visit their post.
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Oh, Robert. I am so glad you did this. I love seeing my friends’ world. Yours is wondrous!
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I’m glad I did it too…I think I’ll start to do more challenges as a way of balancing the other work…thank you for reading it.
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Wow, Great post and details!!!!! I can only imagine what it must be like to fly down a hill on one’s bike, the photos are beautiful and thank you for sharing!!!!!
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Flying down one of these hills on a bike? It’s great at 1 AM! 🙂
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all is quiet:)
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and there is a chill because of the fog
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Ahhhhhh!
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Thank you–I know it’s me, but I really want to blame the interface…:)
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that last photo is amazing!
the one above it didn’t come out.
What a great picture story! I did manage to come cross country from Maine to CA in 97 ish but we never made it up to San Fran, which broke my heart!
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