Contains photographs and picture postcards depicting scenes of San Francisco places, people and events. Each listing represents a file containing from one to more than fifty images. Some files may also include a small number of non-photographic reproductions and prints.

Includes images of places listed by category (parks, beaches, cemeteries, islands, etc.), types of establishments (banks, churches, hotels, saloons, etc.), specific buildings and structures (City Hall, Holmes Book Store, Jewish Home for the Aged, Golden Gate Bridge, etc.), as well as districts and neighborhoods (Mission District, Chinatown, North Beach). Views of San Francisco homes and street scenes are found under the headings for architecture-- domestic, and transportation. Also includes images depicting members of organizations (Bohemian Club, San Francisco Bicycle Club, Swedish Athletic Club, etc.) and social groups (Chinese, Italians, etc.), as well as general categories of people by occupation (butchers, labor, newsboys, police). Also includes photographs of events such as expositions and fairs, including the Panama Pacific International Exposition, holidays, parades, strikes, and the earthquake (1906). Images included here complement those found under the named streets and general views files in the San Francisco Streets Photography Collection.