With a PoD no earlier than the death of Emperor Norton in 1880*, how does the Golden Gate City become the third largest in the US?
Provisions: aside from Los Angeles, this cannot be achieved by keeping down other US cities (the noted exception is encouraged). In that same vein, the land area of SF cannot surpass that of LA proper OTL. And all seismic activity in the area must remain as OTL.
Any thoughts?
*will also accept him living longer as a first PoD