The primary responsibilities of the consulate general were to disseminate information about Sweden and Swedish collaboration opportunities, promote business activities through the organization of various events, handle consular matters (mainly passport and visa processing), and provide assistance to Swedish citizens in the western United States.

The consulate general's jurisdiction included, in addition to the city of San Francisco, the states of California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and later New Mexico until 1980 when Sweden's Consulate General in Los Angeles opened, taking over responsibility for certain states.

The conflict led to frustration and highlighted tensions surrounding the potential closure of the consulate under the cost-cutting plan.

The position of consul general ceased in the spring of 1982, and the remaining staff would then, during a transitional period, oversee the continued winding down of the authority.

[7] In connection with the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, it was reported that Sweden's honorary consulate general in San Francisco had evacuated.

The organization had emphasized to Foreign Minister Ann Linde on multiple occasions that Swedes living on the West Coast of the United States were in great need of a consulate general.

[11] The career consular mission opened on January 1, 2024 in San Francisco, and its areas of responsibility includes the states of California and Hawaii.

[13] On February 20, 2024, Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden presided over the inauguration of the new consulate general at a ceremony in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, in the presence of the Minister for Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

[15] The consulate general's district from 1969 to 1975 included, in addition to San Francisco, the states of California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

The property on Jackson Street consisted of two interconnected houses, built in 1915 and 1920, and was located in a desirable residential district near the city's business center.

A real estate expert had assessed that the property was in good condition, and the purchase was suggested as an economically advantageous solution.

The consul general justified the acquisition by pointing out the increasing rental costs for current premises and the difficulties for the staff in finding reasonable housing in San Francisco.

He also mentioned that certain furnishings should be obtained for seamen's and meeting rooms, to be funded from the proposed budget for stationery materials at embassies and consulates.

The first house was intended for the residence of the consul general, who would have access to three living rooms and four bedrooms, in addition to the kitchen area and quarters for service personnel.

This move sparked concerns among Pacific Heights residents, echoing past disputes over the neighborhood's character.

Anne Bloomfield, representing the Pacific Heights Residents Association, vehemently opposed any proposal that conflicted with the single-family zoning of the Swedish Consulate's buildings.

This stance put potential buyers in direct conflict with Bloomfield's organization, as well as city planning authorities.

This clashed with residents like Mrs. Spreckels and Mrs. McGinnis, who strove to preserve Pacific Heights' unique character and avoid increased traffic.

[39] The history of conflicts over prime Pacific Heights property, such as the Matson family's earlier tussle before the Planning Commission, highlighted the ongoing struggle between preservationists and those seeking to redefine the use of historic estates.

As the former Swedish Consulate's fate hung in the balance, it reflected broader challenges in maintaining single-family residences amid evolving real estate trends in San Francisco.