Millions of tourists visit Northern California every year. Most of them buy mementos of their time in its City By the Bay to take home with them. It is not unusual for these visitors to purchase affordable artwork of some iconic landmarks that distinguish the city. Many choose views depicting the Golden Gate Bridge while others opt for the more unusual, but equally distinctive historical prints San Francisco collectors prefer.

If you were lucky enough to dine at the Cliff House during your visit to this city, you might want to take a visual memento of this famous, and some would argue infamous, restaurant back to show friends and family. You may know the story about the gingerbread house precariously perched above Ocean Beach, but your friends probably won't.

The Sutro Baths no longer exist, but you can visit the remains just north of Cliff House. The mining engineer and one time mayor of San Francisco, Adolph Sutro, had a vision for a bathhouse where the public could come to exercise and socialize in style. The product of this vision became the biggest indoor swimming facility in the world. In its heyday, there were seven heated pools, paintings, history exhibits, and Egyptian mummies. The only way to enjoy it today is in a photograph.

Market Street is a favorite of tourists and residents as well. If you enjoyed your time strolling among the stalls located in the amazing Farmer's Market, you might want to take home a print showing the way the street appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century. Most depict a busy intersection bustling with trolleys and horse drawn carriages.

Mark Hopkins' Mansion is now a luxury hotel, and if you were fortunate enough to spend the night there, you couldn't help but notice the photos of its time as a private residence. It was controversial in its day with many citizens repulsed by its gaudy vulgarity, but others admired its impressive size. Although fire gutted it in 1906, it lives on in black and white photography.

San Francisco is no stranger to colorful characters, and one that is still remembered fondly today is Emperor Norton. The local citizenry accepted his eccentricities and looked forward to his latest proclamations and decrees. His reign as self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States lasted almost a quarter of a century. During that time he was a welcome guest at theaters and restaurants throughout the city.

There are numerous prints depicting the aftermath of the horrific earthquake of 1906 and the many fires that raged through the streets afterward. It may not be what San Franciscans want tourists to take away with them, but the photos are interesting and sobering. The Call Building and City Hall scenes are particularly striking.

This City By the Bay is beloved by many, and it has a unique cultural and architectural history with pivotal moments created by natural disasters. Pictures of its Golden Gate Bridge abound and are beautiful. It is interesting to see some lesser known photos though that give a real sense of this city's golden past.