As followers to my blog probably already know, I love street art. No matter where I go I’m always on the prowl for it, and I feel lucky to live in a city where it’s so prolific. From the grand to the simple, the ridiculous to the thought-provoking, the streets of San Francisco are a veritable art gallery.
So here for your viewing pleasure are samples of the street art I’ve captured with various cameras over the course of the past few years. Some of these pics were taken last weekend while others were shot three years ago. I tried to pin down the actual street locations of these pics, just in case locals or visitors want to check them out. Alas, a lot of this art (and it is art) no longer exists, either painted over, or in some cases replaced with equally excellent street art. Like life itself, the walls and buildings of San Francisco are always evolving.
Oh, and as you might imagine, my archives are bottomless, and I’m always grabbing pics of stuff I see in my daily travels, so expect to see more San Francisco street art in the very near future!
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- On Polk St., Tenderloin
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- Castro and 19th, Castro
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- Haight and Shrader, Haight
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- On Mission St.
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- Duboce at Church, Duboce Park
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- Portrero at Mariposa, Potrero Hill
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- In Chinatown
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- Laguna at Haight, Lower Haight
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- Bush at Grant, Union Square
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- On Folsom Street, SOMA
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- Clarion Alley, Mission
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- 15th at Sanchez, Castro
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- On O’Farrell St., Tenderloin
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- Franklin St., Hayes Valley
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- On Market St., Financial District
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- On Folsom Street, SOMA
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- New People, Post St., Japantown
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- Illinois at Mariposa, Potrero Hill
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- Mark Lane, Union Square
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- In SOMA (South of Market)
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- On Valencia Street, MIssion
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- On Folsom Street, SOMA
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- On Haight Street
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- In Chinatown
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- Bethany Center, Capp St., Mission
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- Broadway and Columbus, North Beach
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- Market and 16th, Castro
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- Columbus and Broadway, North Beach
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- Laguna at Haight, Lower Haight
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- Belden Lane, Union Square
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- Broadway and Columbus, North Beach
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- Keith Sklar’s ‘Learning Wall’, Franklin St., Hayes Valley
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- On Valencia Street, Mission
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- In Potrero Hill
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- Clay and Waverly, Chinatown
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- On Polk St., Tenderloin
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- On Valencia Street, Mission
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- Haight at Webster, Lower Haight
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- In SOMA (South of Market)
Stephen Kelly Creative 
These are great, loved the street art in San Fran. I looked back at some old photos and saw that I had shot part of the Piano man from a bus (on Columbus and Broadway). Your photo makes me realise what I was trying to shoot. Also some murals of whales down on Olive and Polk (??) and various vans and trucks that were painted also. Great collection!
Thanks Jeff! Yah, that mural at Broadway and Columbus is pretty famous, and nice call on the whales at Polk and Olive! Glad you liked this set, and look for more soon!
I’m not sure whether you work so hard that you don’t have time to play, or that you play so hard that there’s little time for work (actually, I suspect that you are such an enthusiastic and inspired soul that luckily for you work and play are one, which makes me envious). Lovely photos, Stephen, and I hope you will keep sharing!
hehe … actually, all of the above. it has always been my intention in life to make my hobbies my career and vice versa, and i’m always super proud that i’ve been able to do just that. my work is my play, and i never grow tired of it, and i suspect i never will.
These are amazing, Stephen. I don’t have this kind of talent so I can’t figure out how they do it. There are some portraits that are very well done. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing more. 🙂
Hi Pat! I know! Some of this work is really, really well done. You can tell a lot of thought and craft went into it. That’s why I like to think of it as art and not graffiti.
When I saw “Volume 1” I smiled………you’re gonna have a lot of volumes considering this City!
And you’re right, the art changes, I think the one over Le Central is or was different when I saw it. Great post.
Hi Angeline … as a comedian might say, “I’ve got a million of them!”
You’re right … the art above Le Central is constantly changing. That particular shot was taken two years ago.
I like the first photo since I like baseball. So I assume that one is not the typical graffiti, it must have been something “approved” prior to the creation?
Hi Annie. Many Giants-themed murals went up around the city after the World Series win, but I don’t believe any of them were officially sanctioned. The building behind this particular mural has since been demolished, so the mural didn’t last long.
Interesting. There are similar arts in Tokyo.
Hello, my friend. I will be in Tokyo in September and I’m looking forward to taking pics of all the street art I find there!
Props for archiving this great form of art – love the humorous ones!
Hi there ideflex … glad you like them. I really love it when the street artists get all humorous with it!
beautiful collection of art work…Dan Francisco is my next vacation spot …always wanted yo go and now I have a chance to get away soon
Hi there … thanks for visiting. Yes, San Francisco is indeed a beautiful place that has a lot of great things to offer tourists. But think about visiting in September and October … that’s when the weather is perfect! summer is foggy, windy and cool.
that is what I been told and my girlfriend is inviting me has been there on various occasions .she loves it
Well, there’s a lot to love. You should make a visit and see for yourself!
Impressive street art, Stephen and so many wonderful examples of it 🙂
thanks paula … there’s a lot more where that came from! I’m taking new shots all the time!
I have never doubted that :D. Take care, Stephen 🙂
Wow – these are amazing and great to see in areas I have not ventured in a long time!
Hi Sally .. glad you liked this collection. Got a lot more coming up … I’m also on the prowl for interesting street art.
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There is definately a great deal to find out about this issue.
I love all of the points you’ve made.