I’ve taken the new Central Subway north to Chinatown a number of times, but today is the first time I rode it south to Oracle Stadium. It’s easily the best way to get to the ballpark using public transportation. I wandered around the area for awhile updating some vintage pictures from the San Francisco Public Library Archive and opensfhistory.org. (Thumbnail images)
Looking northeast across China Basin (McCovey Cove now) from the Third Street Bridge (Lefty O’Doul Bridge now) in 1922: The Giants aren’t at home this weekend, so the area was quiet today. (opensfhistory.org)
Looking toward the Lefty O’Doul Bridge in 1933: The was major damage to the bridge from a barge that broke away during the storms earlier this year, so the area near the water is fenced off right now. (opensfhistory.org)
I wandered up Third Street past where the old Southern Pacific Railroad Station used to be. The vintage picture was taken from in front of the train station in 1940. The Gallenkamp’s Building is still around. (opensfhistory.org)
Looking down Third Street from Brannan in 1931: Yeah, I can imagine the luck I’d have today holding up a Metro Streetcar while I posed for a picture. (opensfhistory.org)
People crossing the intersection of Townsend and Third Streets during the 1950s: The vintage picture may have been taken during the Korean War. I moved down Brannan Street to the Fourth and Brannan Central Subway stop, and headed back to Market Street to round out the Labor Day Weekend. The blood advertisement sign reminds me that tax season isn’t over yet in California; I’m worried that I’m going to have an invasion of last minute income tax filers trying to beat the October 16th deadline that will make the zombies from ‘Night of the Living Dead’ look like trick-or-treaters. (The San Francisco Public Library Archives)
San Francisco Film Locations Then & Now 
Gee, vegetation is minimal within these pictures. So are the recognizable cars.
The Mission Creek and South Park Area was very fashionable in the 1800s, Tony. By the Twentieth Century it became more industrial, and by the middle to late 1900s it was getting pretty seedy. The Giants ballpark did wonders for this area. Tree planting around here hasn’t really taken off yet, but I imagine that’s on the way as well.
Well, trees are not for every neighborhood. Some architecture should not be cluttered. Shade is less necessary where there are already very tall buildings.
Is the old Lefty O’douls piano pub still down town? You mentioned the bridge by that name. And what of Edna’s Fish and Chips? I have fond memories of both.
The Geary Blvd. location of Left O’Doul’s Pub closed in 2017, Chuckster. It reopened on Jefferson Street in 2018, but I believe they filed for bankruptcy and are closed as well. The Edna Fish and Chips in North Beach closed awhile back and I haven’t heard anything about any relocation, but I may be wrong. I’ll let you know.