These Photos of San Francisco Under Lockdown Versus Today Will Move You to Tears
Exactly three years ago, on March 16, 2020, a historic shelter-in-place order was set for San Francisco and neighboring counties in a desperate bid to prevent the spread of what was then a little-known virus.
Come morning, the city’s public spaces were deserted.
Empty highways. Shuttered box offices. Favorite tourist locations blocked off with “Sorry we're closed” signs hanging in restaurant windows. You remember.
Meanwhile, essential workers—from Muni drivers to nurses to grocery clerks—worked around the clock supporting the city.
It’s been a long three years. And while San Francisco is bouncing back in many respects, the city still has a ways to go.
Here are 12 before-and-after images comparing life in March 2020 with life in March 2023. We recommend spending some time with them. The changes—both positive and negative—can be found in the details.
Keep scrolling to continue reading.
The beach at Crissy Field is nearly empty on March 30, 2020, as Bay Area officials announce plans to extend the shelter-in-place order until May 1. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Groups gather at Crissy Field on a sunny day on March 3, 2023. The pandemic saw more San Franciscans utilize outdoor spaces. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
Light traffic is seen on Highway 101 in San Francisco on March 29, 2020, amid coronavirus concerns. With most states under stay-at-home orders from governors, traffic is down almost everywhere, and that means lower crash rates and fewer insurance claims. Many auto insurance companies are cutting rates, sending checks or offering credits on monthly bills. | Jeff Chiu/AP Photo
Traffic flows on Highway 101 in San Francisco on March 10, 2023. Data shows bridge and highway traffic at nearly pre-pandemic levels while public transit usage and commuter bus service remain a fraction of normal. Look closely, and you'll remember that the iconic Coca-Cola sign was removed in late 2020. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
The box office at the Chase Center is shown closed on March 12, 2020. The Warriors were supposed to host the Brooklyn Nets, but the game was postponed due to the coronavirus. The NBA, NHL, NCAA and MLB all announced cancellations or postponements of events. | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Fans gather at Chase Center for a Golden State Warriors game on March 3, 2023. San Francisco tourism spending levels are much improved from 2020’s low of $2.8 billion, though not yet back to 2019 levels. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A worker wipes down fare gates at the Montgomery Street BART station on March 7, 2020. As the coronavirus continued to spread, people were taking precautions to keep themselves and the general public safe by cleaning surfaces and wearing protective masks. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
BART customers enter and exit the Montgomery Street Station on March 3, 2023, as BART monthly ridership hovers at about 40% of pre-pandemic levels. The transportation agency is careening toward financial disaster, with federal funding expected to run out in two years and hundreds of millions in deficits. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
Famous Pier 39, part tourist destination and part shopping mall, is seen fenced off and closed to the public on March 18, 2020, as the city begins its three-week shelter-in-place order. | Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Pedestrians walk at Pier 39 on March 10, 2023, as tourism picks up across the city. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
Pedestrians walk by the Castro Theatre, which has a marquee announcing that it is closed due to a statewide ordinance banning gatherings of more than 250 people on March 15, 2020. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Pedestrians walk along Castro Street past the Castro Theatre on March 3, 2023. Berkeley’s Another Planet Entertainment took over management of the theater in January 2022. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A worker power-washes the sidewalk near City Hall on March 16, 2020. Public areas around the city were mostly empty, as people were staying away from large gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of Covid. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Pedestrians walk near City Hall on March 3, 2023. Board of Supervisors meetings within City Hall are back to being in-person, though remote public comment is still allowed. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A pigeon crosses an empty Powell Street during the coronavirus pandemic on March 30, 2020. Bay Area officials had announced plans to extend the shelter-in-place order until May 1. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Pedestrians cross Powell Street on March 3, 2023. Masks on public transportation, like San Francisco's cable cars, are recommended but not required. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
Exercise equipment at the Marina Green is closed off to the public on March 30, 2020. A posted sign says the area is closed for Covid heath precautions. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Individuals work out at an outdoor gym at Marina Green on March 3, 2023. San Francisco activities and traffic appear to be nearly back to pre-pandemic norms almost three years since Covid mostly shut down the city. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A couple eats while sitting on a bench at Fisherman's Wharf on March 22, 2020. Some 40 million Californians were coping with their first weekend under a statewide order requiring them to stay at home to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. | Ben Margot/AP Photo
Pedestrians walk at Fisherman’s Wharf on March 10, 2023. The important and iconic tourist district has been struggling in the wake of the pandemic, with widespread vacancies and closures. The sea lion statue in the first photo was part of an Aquarium of the Bay public art installation. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A woman walks through Chinatown along Grant Avenue on March 13, 2020, following Gov. Gavin Newsom's call for cancellation of all nonessential gatherings of 250 people or more. | Eric Risberg/AP Photo
Pedestrians walk on Grant Avenue in Chinatown on March 10, 2023. The neighborhood was hit hard by the pandemic, with many businesses closing. What was formerly an art gallery is now Jade Chocolates Teahouse & Cafe. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A person wearing a surgical mask pushes a child's stroller past the iconic Olafur Eliasson sculpture at Chase Center during a shelter-in-place order on March 23, 2020. | Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Fans gather at Chase Center for a Golden State Warriors game on March 3, 2023. Many San Francisco activities appear to be back to pre-pandemic norms almost three years after Covid mostly shut down the city, while others continue to lag. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
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