Old Maps of South San Francisco, California for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 35 historic maps of South San Francisco. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.

  • Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
  • Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
  • Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.

Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of South San Francisco.


South San Francisco, CA maps

(35)
  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.

  2. 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.

  3. 1899 Map of Haywards
    1899 Map of Haywards
    1899 Haywards
    1899 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline at the end of the century was a landscape of industrial salt works and vital maritime landings. Genealogists and historians can trace the early rail stops at Haywards Sta. or locate family trade hubs at Mulford Landing and Jarvis Landing.
    5 unique versions available

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 1915 Map of Haywards
    1915 Map of Haywards
    1915 Haywards
    1915 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline and inland foothills are shown here in the mid-1910s during a height of coastal industry. Genealogists and historians can trace old shipping points like Mulford Landing, early salt operations at Union City Salt Works, and the rail lines of the Western Pacific.
    4 unique versions available

  7. 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

  8. 1942 Map of Hayward
    1942 Map of Hayward
    1942 Hayward
    1942 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline and inland foothills come alive in the early 1940s as industry and infrastructure reshape the landscape. Researchers can trace the original footprints of Russell City and Mt Eden or locate the historic Oakland Speedway and Fairmont Hospital.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 1947 Map of San Leandro, 1956 Print
    1947 Map of San Leandro, 1956 Print
    1947 San Leandro
    1956 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline in the late 1940s shows a fascinating mix of industrial salt production and rapid suburban development. Researchers can trace early aviation at the Oakland Municipal Airport or locate community anchors like San Lorenzo Village and the Oakland Speedway.

  13. 1948 Map of San Leandro
    1948 Map of San Leandro
    1948 San Leandro
    1948 Print · USGS
    Post-war East Bay growth is on full display in this late 1940s survey of the shoreline. Genealogists and historians can trace the emergence of San Lorenzo Village or locate local landmarks like the Oakland Speedway, Powder Works, and the Naval Chapel.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 1956 Map of San Francisco
    1956 Map of San Francisco
    1956 San Francisco
    1956 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Bay Area is captured in the mid-fifties, showing a landscape of rapid post-war growth and massive military installations. Researchers can trace the sprawling rail lines of the Southern Pacific and locate historic sites like Stanford University or the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.
    4 unique versions available

  18. 1956 Map of San Francisco South, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of San Francisco South, 1958 Print
    1956 San Francisco South
    1958 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco peninsula transitioned into a post-war suburban and industrial hub during the mid-fifties. Researchers can trace the vast cemetery complex of Colma, the early layout of San Francisco International Airport, and the Naval Reservation at South Basin.
    6 unique versions available

  19. 1956 Map of Hunters Point, 1967 Print
    1956 Map of Hunters Point, 1967 Print
    1956 Hunters Point
    1967 Print · USGS
    San Francisco Bay’s industrial and military coastline comes into focus during the mid-fifties, centered on the strategic US Naval Reservation. Maritime researchers can trace deep-water access through the Oyster Point Channel or locate the early structures of the San Francisco International Airport.
    5 unique versions available

  20. 1957 Map of San Francisco
    1957 Map of San Francisco
    1957 San Francisco
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area in the mid-fifties reveals a rapidly growing metropolitan landscape connected by its iconic spans and rail networks. Researchers can trace the layout of military sites like the Presidio and the extent of the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific railroads.

  21. 1959 Map of San Leandro, 1960 Print
    1959 Map of San Leandro, 1960 Print
    1959 San Leandro
    1960 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline in the late fifties shows the post-war transition from landings and marshes to a dense suburban corridor. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous neighborhood schools and landmarks like Russell City, Lorenzo Sta, and the Oakland Naval Air Station.
    4 unique versions available

  22. 1959 Map of Hayward, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Hayward, 1961 Print
    1959 Hayward
    1961 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline in the late fifties reveals a period of massive suburban and industrial growth along the new Nimitz Freeway. Genealogists and historians can trace old neighborhoods and sites like Russell City, Mt Eden Cem, and the Oakland Naval Air Sta.
    2 unique versions available

  23. 1960 Map of San Francisco
    1960 Map of San Francisco
    1960 San Francisco
    1960 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Bay Area at the start of the sixties reveals a landscape of rapid expansion and critical infrastructure. Researchers can trace the development of East Bay communities like Russell City and Mt Eden or locate early rural landmarks like Alpine School.

  24. 1961 Map of San Francisco
    1961 Map of San Francisco
    1961 San Francisco
    1961 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area at the dawn of the 1960s reveals a landscape of growing cities and massive Cold War military installations. Genealogists and historians can trace the mid-century urban footprint from Berkeley to San Mateo, while locating landmarks like the Presidio, Alcatraz Island, and Moffett Field Air Station.

  25. 1964 Map of San Francisco
    1964 Map of San Francisco
    1964 San Francisco
    1964 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area in the mid-sixties shows a region of rapid suburban expansion and major military installations. Researchers can trace the development of the South Bay near Stanford University or locate family plots in the historic Cypress Lawn Cem and Holy Cross Cem.

Showing maps 1-25 of 35

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Frequently asked questions

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