The 1970s in California was a vibrant and transformative time. It saw the rise of counterculture movements, the emergence of Silicon Valley as a tech hub, and environmental activism. The music scene flourished with the rise of disco, punk, and rock genres, while Hollywood continued to shape global pop culture.
The state’s landscape included bustling cities, iconic beaches, and sprawling suburbs, but also faced challenges like economic recession, social unrest, and environmental concerns, leading to significant shifts in politics and society.
Overall, it was a dynamic decade that left a lasting impact on California’s culture and identity. These vintage photos were found by Mark Susina that show street scenes of California in the 1970s.
  |
| Last run of the California Zephyr, March 1970 |
 |
| Last run of the California Zephyr, March 1970 |
 |
| Last run of the California Zephyr, March 1970 |
 |
| San Diego border crossing, California, circa 1971 |
 |
| Christian Brothers Winery, California, circa 1972 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, 1972 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, 1972 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, 1972 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, circa 1972 |
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, 1973 |
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, 1973 |
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, 1973 |
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, 1973 |
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, 1973 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, 1973 |
 |
| California State Fair, 1974 |
 |
| La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, California, circa 1974 |
 |
| Pebble Beach, California, circa 1974 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, July 1974 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, July 1974 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, July 1974 |
 |
| “Cannery Courtyard”, San Francisco, California, 1975 |
 |
| Alcatraz, San Francisco, California, 1975 |
 |
| Chinatown, San Francisco, California, circa 1975 |
 |
| Chinatown, San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| Coit Tower, San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| Fishermen’s Wharf, San Francisco, California, circa 1975 |
 |
| Flower stand, San Francisco, California, 1975 |
 |
| Griswold’s Smorgasbord, Redlands, California, circa 1975 |
 |
| National Hotel, Nevada City, California, circa 1975 |
 |
| Nuclear Power Plant, California, 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco cable car, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, September 1975 |
 |
| San Francisco, California, circa 1976 |
 |
| Port of Los Angeles, California, circa 1977 |
 |
| Swim Meet, Southern California, 1978 |
 |
| Couple at Queen Mary Tickets, Long Beach, California, circa 1970s |
