Twin Peaks

Unfinished History

The view from Twin Peaks is world famous. Under the Burnham Plan of 1905 a straight boulevard would have ascended all the way to the top, but after the earthquake of 1906, the Burnham Plan was buried by events.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

Stairs ascend from the Castro to Twin Peaks under proposed Burnham Plan

The famous view from Twin Peaks, here in 1906 a month after the big earthquake.

Photo: Private Collection, San Francisco, CA

Close-up of 1906 view from Twin Peaks

Photo: Private Collection, San Francisco, CA

Classic tourist view of city from Twin Peaks, 1998.

Photo: Marina McDougal

View from south peak of Twin Peaks, April 2008, with California poppies in foreground.

Photo: Chris Carlsson


1957 photo: Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives (P09400)

2007 photo: Chris Carlsson

View in June 2023, with City Hall and old PT&T building highlighted.

Photo: Chris Carlsson


View from Twin Peaks

top: March 5, 1955; bottom: July 6, 2009.

1955 photo: Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives (P07658)

2009 photo: Chris Carlsson

View from Twin Peaks, c. 1920.

Photo: OpenSFHistory.org wnp13.279

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