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Old Maps of San Francisco, California for Academic Research

Study the evolution of San Francisco with 64 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.

  • Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
  • Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
  • Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.

These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how San Francisco has changed over the decades.

San Francisco, CA maps

(64)
  1. 1892 Map of San Mateo
    1892 Map of San Mateo
    1892 San Mateo
    1892 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula in the 1890s reveals a landscape of ranchos and rising rail towns. Trace the early footprints of Colma, Millbrae, and South San Francisco alongside vital water infrastructure like the Crystal Springs Dam.
  4. 1895 Map of San Francisco
    1895 Map of San Francisco
    1895 San Francisco
    1895 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Bay Area thrives as a maritime and rail power at the close of the nineteenth century. Genealogists and researchers can trace early neighborhoods in Berkeley, the layout of the Presidio Military Reservation, and rail terminals like the Oakland Mole.
  7. 1896 Map of San Mateo
    1896 Map of San Mateo
    1896 San Mateo
    1896 Print · USGS
    The northern San Francisco Peninsula comes alive in this late nineteenth-century survey. Genealogists and historians can trace early trackage of the Southern Pacific R. R. through Colma and Millbrae, or locate the Industrial School and Brewer School.
  10. 1897 Map of Tamalpais
    1897 Map of Tamalpais
    1897 Tamalpais
    1897 Print · USGS
    Marin County's ridges and coastal lagoons are shown in the late nineteenth century as rail lines began to stitch together its small towns and land grants. Genealogists and historians can trace the early footprints of Eastland, Larkspur, and Woodville alongside the winding routes of the North Pacific Coast R. R.
    12 unique versions available
  13. 1899 Map of San Francisco
    1899 Map of San Francisco
    1899 San Francisco
    1899 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area at the close of the nineteenth century reveals a burgeoning metropolis still tied to its maritime and rail roots. Trace the early layouts of the University of California and the Presidio, or locate the now-vanished Lone Mt. Cem. and Shell Mound.
    7 unique versions available
  16. 1899 Map of San Mateo
    1899 Map of San Mateo
    1899 San Mateo
    1899 Print · USGS
    The northern San Mateo peninsula appears here in the late nineteenth century as a landscape of early rail lines and critical water infrastructure. Trace the early development of South San Francisco, the sprawling Cemeteries of Colma, and rural schoolhouses like Hoyt School.
    6 unique versions available
  19. 1915 Map of San Mateo
    1915 Map of San Mateo
    1915 San Mateo
    1915 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula at the start of the twentieth century shows a landscape transitioning from rural ranchos to industrial centers and suburbs. Genealogists can trace family footprints at Colma, locate the Hoyt School, or follow the Southern Pacific RR through Baden Sta.
    6 unique versions available
  22. 1915 Map of San Francisco
    1915 Map of San Francisco
    1915 San Francisco
    1915 Print · USGS
    San Francisco and the East Bay appear at a pivotal moment just before the First World War, featuring the grand layout of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Genealogists and historians can trace the early rail networks of the Key Route Pier, the industrial waterfront at Winehaven, and historic landmarks like Cliff House.
    6 unique versions available
  25. 1939 Map of San Mateo, 1956 Print
    1939 Map of San Mateo, 1956 Print
    1939 San Mateo
    1956 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula at the brink of the 1940s reveals a landscape of ridge-top vistas and growing railroad towns. Researchers can trace the early layouts of Burlingame, San Bruno, and Millbrae, or locate institutional landmarks like St Josephs Military Academy and the extensive Chinese Cem.
    3 unique versions available
  28. 1941 Map of Tamalpais
    1941 Map of Tamalpais
    1941 Tamalpais
    1941 Print · USGS
    Marin County's coastal defenses and rail-connected towns are captured here just as the nation entered World War II. Researchers can trace the early fortifications at Fort Cronkhite, the path of the Northwestern Pacific RR, and old landmarks like Bolinas School.
  31. 1943 Map of San Mateo
    1943 Map of San Mateo
    1943 San Mateo
    1943 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula during the mid-war years shows a region of expanding shoreline industry and established hillside communities. Researchers can trace historic landmarks like St Josephs Military Academy and the Golden Gate National Cem.
  34. 1947 Map of San Francisco, 1948 Print
    1947 Map of San Francisco, 1948 Print
    1947 San Francisco
    1948 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area in the late 1940s reveals a region transitioning from wartime intensity to post-war suburban growth. Trace the historic rail lines of the Southern Pacific RR or locate early military footprints at Fort Funston and Moffett Field.
  37. 1947 Map of Richmond, 1952 Print
    1947 Map of Richmond, 1952 Print
    1947 Richmond
    1952 Print · USGS
    Post-war development transforms the East Bay shoreline as industry and suburbs expand between the bay and the hills. Trace mid-century landmarks like the Oil Tank Farm, Richmond Union HS, and the sprawling Charles Lee Tilden Regional Park.
    2 unique versions available
  40. 1947 Map of San Francisco South, 1955 Print
    1947 Map of San Francisco South, 1955 Print
    1947 San Francisco South
    1955 Print · USGS
    Post-war San Mateo County and the city's southern edge are caught here during a period of rapid peninsula growth. Genealogists can trace the many memorial grounds of Colma, while historians can locate the Tanforan Race Track and early San Francisco International Airport.
  43. 1947 Map of San Francisco North, 1955 Print
    1947 Map of San Francisco North, 1955 Print
    1947 San Francisco North
    1955 Print · USGS
    San Francisco and the Marin coastline are captured here in the years following World War II, just as the city's modern skyline began to take shape. Researchers can trace historic landmarks like Mission Dolores, early waterfront infrastructure at Mission Rock, and the military outposts of Fort Baker Military Reservation.
  46. 1947 Map of San Quentin, 1956 Print
    1947 Map of San Quentin, 1956 Print
    1947 San Quentin
    1956 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Bay area in the late 1940s reveals a landscape of ferry-connected shores and burgeoning industry. Trace the historic Richmond-San Rafael Ferry route, the State Penitentiary, and the Tiburon Naval Net Depot.
  49. 1948 Map of San Quentin
    1948 Map of San Quentin
    1948 San Quentin
    1948 Print · USGS
    The North Bay waterfront comes alive in the late 1940s, showing the active ferry routes and military installations of the era. Genealogists and historians can trace the Richmond-San Rafael Ferry, the State Penitentiary, and the Tiburon Naval Net Depot.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1948 Map of San Francisco, 1951 Print
    1948 Map of San Francisco, 1951 Print
    1948 San Francisco
    1951 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area in the late 1940s reveals a landscape defined by rapid post-war growth and a heavy military presence at the Golden Gate. Trace the development of early trans-bay infrastructure like the Oakland-Bay Bridge and historic coastal defense sites such as Fort Funston and Alcatraz Island.
  55. 1949 Map of Oakland West
    1949 Map of Oakland West
    1949 Oakland West
    1949 Print · USGS
    The East Bay waterfront was a bustling landscape of rail yards and military installations in the late 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace the neighborhood schools and piers of Berkeley and Oakland, from the Oakland Mole to Notre Dame Academy.
    2 unique versions available
  58. 1949 Map of Richmond
    1949 Map of Richmond
    1949 Richmond
    1949 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline in the late forties shows a booming industrial and residential corridor shaped by the Southern Pacific rail lines. Researchers can trace mid-century neighborhood growth and find local landmarks like the Oil Tank Farm, St Joseph Cem, and Stege.
    2 unique versions available
  61. 1950 Map of San Francisco South
    1950 Map of San Francisco South
    1950 San Francisco South
    1950 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco peninsula mid-century is a landscape of rapid suburban growth and massive memorial parks. Trace the historic grounds of the Tanforan Race Track, the early runways of the International Airport, and the sprawling Golden Gate National Cemetery.
  64. 1950 Map of San Francisco North
    1950 Map of San Francisco North
    1950 San Francisco North
    1950 Print · USGS
    Mid-century San Francisco and the Marin headlands are captured here during a period of peak maritime and military activity. Local historians can trace the street-level detail of Chinatown, find the old Townsend St Station, or locate neighborhood schools like Lowell HS.
  67. 1950 Map of Mt. Tamalpais, 1954 Print
    1950 Map of Mt. Tamalpais, 1954 Print
    1950 Mt. Tamalpais
    1954 Print · USGS
    Marin County's dramatic coastline and the approach to the Golden Gate are shown here in the mid-fifties. Genealogists and historians can trace the early boundaries of Mill Valley, the coastal outposts of Bolinas and Stinson Beach, and several coastal military sites.
    4 unique versions available
  70. 1954 Map of Point Bonita, 1955 Print
    1954 Map of Point Bonita, 1955 Print
    1954 Point Bonita
    1955 Print · USGS
    The entrance to the Golden Gate is captured in the mid-fifties, showing a landscape balanced between coastal defense and urban growth. Local historians can trace the military reach of Fort Cronkhite alongside landmarks like the Cliff House and Sausalito.
    6 unique versions available
  73. 1955 Map of San Francisco
    1955 Map of San Francisco
    1955 San Francisco
    1955 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Bay Area and central coast are captured during the postwar boom as suburbs and infrastructure expanded rapidly. Trace the development of local communities and military installations like the Presidio and Fort Mason, or follow the Southern Pacific rail lines.
Showing maps 1-25 of 64

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for San Francisco?
  • What is the oldest map of San Francisco?
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  • Where are historical maps of San Francisco sourced from?