The Streets of San Francisco

Set in early 1970s San Francisco, the series follows veteran Lieutenant Mike Stone and his younger partner Steve Keller as they investigate homicides and other serious crimes across the city. Stone brings steady experience, procedural knowledge, and a calm authority, while Keller's energy and impatience push cases forward and create tension. Episodes pair street-level detective work with courtroom procedure and police politics, and Stone gradually becomes a mentor figure who teaches Keller investigative technique, evidence handling, and the human costs of policing. The show balances case-of-the-week structure with moments that reveal how the job affects officers' personal lives, without leaning on sensational twists.

Premiering in 1972 on ABC, the series was created by Edward Hume and shot extensively on location around San Francisco. Karl Malden led the cast as Mike Stone, with Michael Douglas as Steve Keller and Richard Hatch in a recurring role, and the show ran through the mid 1970s.

The program drew industry notice during its run, receiving television award nominations that highlighted the strength of its lead performances and guest turns. Reviewers often singled out Karl Malden for his authoritative screen presence and noted Michael Douglas as an emerging talent who brought charisma to the younger role.

Its scrap of foggy hills, city vistas, and gritty neighborhoods gave the show a distinct sense of place, and the veteran-plus-rookie pairing helped normalize that dynamic for later police dramas. The Streets of San Francisco also helped raise Michael Douglas's profile early in his career, and its on-location photography influenced how urban crime series captured setting in the 1970s.

Audience ratings and user votes sit solidly in positive territory, around 7.0 out of 10, reflecting steady appreciation rather than cult fandom. The series emphasizes mentorship, procedural rigor, ethical dilemmas, and generational contrast, alternating tense action with quieter, character-driven scenes that foreground the responsibilities and strains of detective work.