The earthquake happend on April 18, 1906 earthquake The main temblor, having a 7.7–7.9 magnitude, lasted about one minute and was the result of the rupturing of the northernmost 296 miles of the 800-mile San Andreas fault. The earthquake was felt from southern Oregon to south of Los Angeles and inland as far as central Nevada.

One eye witness from Oakland named Joaquin Miller stated "I felt about four of these bumps and got up and went to my chapel door, and saw one of my Japanese boys at my right hand, and one at my left. I said "Earthquake?" and they answered "earthquake," and we went back to bed. The cats went out and everything seemed satisfactory." From his perspective it seams as tho he was not verry affected in oakland.

Another eye witness from San francisco named Dr. Charles V. Cross. In a letter to his brother he wrote "The reports you read cannot give you any idea of the terrible extent of this disaster. It cannot be exaggerated, and must be seen to be appreciated." from his perspective it seams that where he was was one of the only parts not severily affected he states "people seemed good-natured, but the quakes that continued at intervals sent terror to their souls. Everybody joked and laughed and altogether up to that time it looked well, but the picture was soon to change."

Another eye witness was a woman from from San Francisco named Emma M. Burke he lived with her family on Waller Street, near Golden Gate Park, at the time of the earthquake. She stated "The shock came, and hurled my bed against an opposite wall. I sprang up, and, holding firmly to the foot-board managed to keep on my feet to the door. The shock was constantly growing heavier; rumbles, crackling noises, and falling objects already commenced the din." from her perspective it seems as tho they were hit verry hard by the earthquake.