Photos of Porsches Spotted in San Francisco

So, here are some photos I took of Porsches spotted in San Francisco. First up, a Porsche I saw at the airport on the day we arrived: the “Panamera S E-Hybrid.”

This is a late model 970 Panamera, and since it’s an E-Hybrid, the “Porsche” logo is yellow. Next, at the hotel, I saw the “new model (though it’s not so new anymore) Panamera.” From the rear, it looks completely different from the earlier model—more sporty and cool. When I asked my husband, “Why doesn’t it have a license plate?” he explained, “In the U.S., new cars don’t come with plates right away. They get mailed later, so you can drive for a few months without plates.”

Wow, license plate rules really vary by country. Next, a Porsche I saw downtown: the “Panamera Turbo.” This is also a previous generation 970. It’s a bit hard to see in the photo, but above the “PORSCHE” logo, there’s a turbo wing that opens at certain speeds (or when you set it yourself).

Then, the frequently seen “Macan.” I’m not sure if this is a Macan or Macan S, but it’s simple and cute. Lately, I’ve been interested in the Macan because it looks easy to drive—a compact SUV with good maneuverability that still offers sporty driving. No wonder it sells worldwide.

Next, the “Cayenne.” I saw this model a ton. Also, since there were many large pickup trucks (big trucks with beds) in San Francisco, the Cayenne looked really small in comparison. I also had the impression that many Cayenne and Macan owners were Asian, but maybe that’s just me.

Also, the “first-generation Cayenne” was common. The Cayenne in the photos below was parked in Sausalito, about a 40-minute drive from San Francisco. From behind, it’s hard to immediately tell it’s a Porsche (or is it just me?). Since many other SUVs have similar designs, you only realize it’s a Cayenne when you see it from the front or up close.

Also parked in a Sausalito restaurant lot was a Macan. I found it hard to distinguish between the Cayenne and Macan from the front, especially with so many big SUVs on the road in the U.S. (Though honestly, I don’t really need to tell them apart.) White really suits Porsches—they look so clean and elegant.

Then, the “911 Targa 4S.” Since Cayennes and Macans were so common, this 911 was a rare sight, so I went out of my way to take photos, haha. The license plate is a bit wider and only has letters and numbers, which I think fits the 911’s design better. (Japanese plates tend to stand out awkwardly in photos.)

Also, a Carrera S. Surrounded by SUVs, it looks even smaller.

And a Boxster. I think this is a late second-generation Boxster?

And a 981 Boxster. This gray color looks really cool. I’ve never seen a Boxster in Japan with this body color and a brown soft top. It’s quite understated and stylish.

That’s all the Porsche photos I took in San Francisco. (Not many!) After this, we flew to Los Angeles, where I plan to take lots more photos at the Porsche Experience Center while sightseeing.