painted ladies tour san francisco

+1 415.326.4917

Painted ladies tour company.

A unique way to take in all of the sights of San Francisco in fully restored vintage Volkswagen buses.

painted ladies tour san francisco

Well worth it!

“Thank you so much for the amazing tour of San Francisco yesterday! As a Bay Area native, I saw things that even I had never seen before and learned so much about SF.”

painted ladies tour san francisco

Best SF tour ever!

“The best tour you can have in San Francisco! It was my first time in Sanfo and absolutely had wonderful memories in the city because of this trip. 

painted ladies tour san francisco

What a find!

“Fabulous tour this afternoon getting to know beautiful San Francisco. Our guide was awesome & navigated with ease whilst imparting a fact-filled commentary as well as personal anecdotes. I could do it all again.”

painted ladies tour san francisco

We are a proud finalist in the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards!

Wine country tour, san francisco city tour, private tour, taco tequila tour.

painted ladies tour san francisco

Painted Ladies Tour Company is a small family business, so Josh and his team take great pride in making sure guests feel well taken care of and have an awesome experience. Josh’s wife, Virgine, runs our front office to answer any questions or emails you might have prior to booking.

Painted Ladies Tour Company is fully licensed through the California Public Utilities Commission PSG 39255 as a Charter and Sightseeing company.

Our vintage buses have been thoroughly restored and updated with modern amenities to provide a safe and unique opportunity to see the sights of San Francisco. Because of our smaller group sizes, our buses can go many places that larger tour buses have been banned from or just cannot access, including Alamo Square (Painted Ladies), Lombard Street, and even those narrow alleys with beautiful murals in the Mission!

painted ladies tour san francisco

Find us on Instagram

Cover me in sunshine and flowers 🌸 🍷

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Sign up to receive exclusive offers and updates direct to your inbox!

(we promise never to share your info)

  • Mother's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • All Holidays
  • Alcatraz Tours
  • Attractions
  • Family-Friendly
  • Itineraries
  • Things to Do
  • Union Square
  • Fisherman's Wharf
  • All Restaurants
  • Concerts & Live Music
  • All Nightlife
  • All Lodging
  • SF Bay Area
  • Cruises from SF
  • All Beyond SF
  • Northern California
  • SF Arrivals and Transfers
  • Weather & What to Wear
  • Getting Around SF
  • Earthquakes
  • Games & Puzzles

SIGN UP  FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE  SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.

  • Things to Do in SF
  • Painted Ladies

Painted Ladies in San Francisco: History and Tips to Visit

Jill on a windy day at the Golden Gate Bridge

by Jill Loeffler   •

The Painted Ladies of San Francisco are a must-see on your visit. You'll find the most famous set across the street from Alamo Square Park along Steiner Street. You will also hear them called the Seven Sisters or Postcard Row.

But that’s not the only place you will find them.

Other top spots include streets around the Alamo Square District, the Haight-Ashbury, the Castro, Pacific Heights, and the Lower Haight.

I love strolling around the streets checking out these colorful gems. They are fun to photograph and check out their amazing colors! 

Read on to learn more about visiting the most famous set and where to find others throughout SF.

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

What are Painted Ladies?

The Painted Ladies of Alamo Square

Many people interchange the term painted ladies with the set of Victorians along Steiner Street near Alamo Square Park. However, they have a broader definition. 

The term “painted ladies” refers to any historic house (usually a Victorian or Edwardian house) built in the late 1800s or early 1900s with three or more paint colors.

You will see historic houses all around San Francisco, but the only true SF Painted Ladies are those with various colors on them.

In addition to SF, you can also see painted ladies in other famous cities such as Cincinnati, Baltimore, and St. Louis. 

Where Did the Term Painted Ladies Come From?

While the term is now famous, it's more of a recent term used to describe these historic gems. It was first used to describe these beauties in the 1970s.

This was when the book Painted Ladies: San Francisco’s Resplendent Victorians  by Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen was written, and they coined the term (find the  original  or  updated version  on Amazon).

It seemed to fit them perfectly and it quickly became popular. 

History of the Painted Ladies in San Francisco

Pink and Yellow House in the Haight

San Francisco builders started putting up Victorian houses around San Francisco in the mid-1800s. They built thousands of them, but it came to an abrupt stop in April 1906. 

This is when San Francisco was hit by one of its largest earthquakes in history . This massive quake destroyed hundreds of Victorian homes and a large part of SF. 

However, the fires that raged for days after the earthquake took the largest toll on the city and these gorgeous houses.

To help preserve the western and southern neighborhoods, the city built a fire line along Van Ness Street.

This is why you will find hundreds of Victorians on the western side of the city, but not very many painted ladies in the eastern districts such as Nob Hill , North Beach , and Telegraph Hill . 

After the destruction around the city, it took years to rebuild it. Even though the earthquake destroyed thousands of these homes, they decided to rebuild them up until around 1915. 

The next interesting period for these beauties is during the First World War and Second World War. 

As these homes aged, thousands were destroyed and replaced with more modern houses. 

Many of those that owned these Victorian homes started to spruce them up by using left-over battleship grey paint from the Navy to repaint them.

YUCK!!! Can you imagine all these gorgeous houses with cheap gray paint? I don’t want to even think about it.

The houses stayed this way for several years as the paint was inexpensive, easy to get, and seemed okay since other homeowners were doing the same during this time. 

Luckily, we can thank artist Butch Kardum as the creative genius behind the change back to brightly colored Victorians. In 1963, he painted his house bright colors including a combination of blues and greens.

Some people loved it, some hated it. Those that loved his colorful home decided to do the same with theirs. 

This started a trend that was eventually dubbed the "Colorist Movement."

It led to the writing of the book mentioned above about the painted ladies which gave them a new name. It also allowed even more homeowners the freedom to express their creativity on the outside of their homes.

This trend continues today as more and more homeowners add bright colors of paint to highlight the lovely details of these historic homes. 

Alamo Square Painted Ladies

painted ladies tour san francisco

Now that you know a bit about the painted ladies let's talk about where you can find some of the best houses around San Francisco.

I’ll start with the most well-known set, the famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. 

These seven sisters line up along Steiner Street just to the east of Alamo Square Park.

Six are the same, and then one larger sister on the northern end. This is why they are called the Seven Sisters.

The beauty of this set is not just in the houses but the fact that they are easy to photograph without any homes across the street because it is the park. More than that, you can also climb the hill at Alamo Square Park to get a beautiful view of downtown SF behind them.

These are two of the reasons they are also called Postcard Row.

You will find them (from south to north) at 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, and 722 Steiner Street.

Does anyone live in the Painted Ladies San Francisco?

Yes, all seven are privately owned, and you are not allowed to visit inside them. When visiting, please be respectful to the people living in these homes. 

TV Series Full House

While locals and visitors to San Francisco always enjoyed these colorful Victorian houses, they became famous and a top attraction once they were featured in the opening credits of the TV series, Full House .

This TV show first aired in September 1987 and ran through May 1995. The opening credit features the Tanner family playing around in Alamo Square with a gorgeous view of this set of seven painted ladies and downtown SF behind them.

As you can imagine, immediately after the first show, these San Francisco attractions were no longer hidden gems known mostly to locals.

Keep in mind, however, that the show does not feature the Tanner family living in one of the Painted Ladies along Steiner. In reality, their "house" in the show is in San Francisco, but it's located north of the park, about a mile away at 1709 Broderick Street.

More History, Cost, and Size

Postcard Row Victorians in SF

How big are the Painted Ladies along Alamo Square, and how much do they cost?

According to public records, the biggest one, 722 Steiner Street, was built first in 1892. It’s around 4,700 square feet and is estimated at around $4.5 to $5 million. 

I think this estimate is incredibly low since it's the biggest, but it sold in 2014 for $3.1 million. At the time, it sold for under asking. I’m guessing it needed some work.

The original builder and owner of 722 Steiner Street also built all the other six similar houses along Postcard Row.

The next one built was 710 Steiner, which is on the south side. It was built in 1894. It's around 2,500 square feet.

Next was 712 Steiner Street, which is around 2,600 square feet. 

The other four (714, 716, 718, and 720) were all built around the same time, with the final one completed around 1896. They vary in size from 2,400 to 2,900 square feet. They are estimated at around $3.5 to $4.5 million each.

Even though they look the same from across the street, each is unique!

The most famous owner over the years lived at 720 Steiner. It was the home to Alice Walker, who wrote The Color Purple . She lived here in the mid-1990s. She was very social and would host famous people at her parties. However, her neighbors were not fans of her late-night concerts in her garden.

Now for the best part: For years, no one could get a peek inside, but lately, the owners of these homes have started to open their doors to the public.

Blue Painted Lady House Tour

The owners of the blue painted lady, #712, are now offering guided tours of the top three floors of their home. There is only a tiny section of the house they keep private for their family.

This tour is an hour long and led by the homeowner. You’ll learn all about its history and interior design. You'll also get the chance to ask questions.

The tour runs in the afternoons most days.

>> Find out more about this tour

Other Movies and TV Shows Featuring the Painted Ladies

Although most people know them from the Full House opening credits, these Painted Ladies in San Francisco have been featured in several TVs and movies.

Here are just a few.

  • Dirty Harry (1971)
  • The Five-Year Engagement (2012)
  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
  • The Woman in Red (1984)
  • So, I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)
  • Murder in the First (1995)

>> Learn more about visiting these famed ladies in Alamo Square

>> More movies filmed around San Francisco

Four Seasons Painted Ladies

Winter, one of the Four Seasons in SF

Another set of San Francisco’s Painted Ladies that are starting to get noticed is the Four Seasons. This set is in the Haight Ashbury District.

It’s four Victorian houses along Waller Street. Their addresses are 1315, 1321/1323, 1327, and 1333 Waller Street. 

These four similar-looking, colorful Victorian houses all have ornate details. Each one is considered a "season" based on its colors and a square with art inside it, which is located outside the house on its second floor.

This group of homes was also built in the 1890s.

"Winter," the one at 1315 Waller, was the first to be built. The man who built it was John A. Whelan, a shipwright, and real estate developer. It’s a Queen Anne style Victorian painted in blues and greens with a snowflake on it, which is why it’s dubbed "Winter."

It sits on the eastern end of these four houses.

The one on the western end is "Fall" due to its bright red colors. 

This set is a little more challenging to photograph, but they are a brilliant display of colors for Painted Ladies in San Francisco.

These four aren't the only beauties on this block. Its neighbors also feature beautiful colors and details, so you'll have plenty of pictures to take as you walk by them.

>> More about visiting the Haight

More Around the San Francisco Haight Ashbury District

painted ladies tour san francisco

You will also find several others in and around the Haight Ashbury District. I also like to explore the area just to the west of the Four Seasons Painted Ladies. You will find several beautiful houses in this area.

There is also an exciting row called the Haight Ashbury Painted Ladies on Central Avenue at Haight Street (in the photo above). They are brightly colored and are an excellent set to photograph. 

Blue Victorian in NOPA

I also love exploring the NOPA (North of the Panhandle) area for more San Francisco Painted Ladies and historic Victorian houses. This area has some beauties all around the district.

Some of my favorites are on Broadrick Street. There is a beautiful set on Broadrick between McAllister and Fulton Streets. You will also find other great ones on Baker and Lyon Streets in this same area.

These are to the west of Divisadero Street.

>> More about what to see and do along Divisadero Street

Lower Haight

Blue Victorian in the Lower Haight

You will also find some gorgeous houses around the Lower Haight District. You’ll find them between Alamo Square and Haight Street. 

These big and beautiful houses are much larger than others on this list. They aren't as bright or colorfully painted, but you will find some painted ladies, and the others have gorgeous details on them.

As you can see from my pictures, I'm drawn to those painted with bright blues! 

>> More about visiting the Lower Haight District

Tours of the San Francisco Painted Ladies

In addition to visiting the inside of the blue painted lady, here are a few additional tours outside these Victorian houses where you can learn more about the history, how much they cost, and more! 

Here are just a few of my recommendations.

  • 5-Hour GoCar Tour: This GoCar tour is a popular guided tour. This tour is fun because you have a little “GoCar” that you can drive around, and it will tell you the stories of the houses as you pass by. It starts in Fisherman's Wharf and offers ten stops before you make your way back to your starting point. You'll see the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks and then get a chance to take pictures of the famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. More about this tour .
  • San Francisco Movie Sights Tour: If you are a fan of Full House or want to see the locations for other TV series and movies filed in San Francisco, then this guided tour is a MUST! You'll see scenes from movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Dirty Harry, and Bullitt were filmed. It's a fun way to see the city! More about this tour here .

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group ! 

It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.

You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!

Come join the fun here !

Painted Ladies Pin

Contact Me    |   Privacy Policy    |   Terms of Service    |   Site Map    |   Advertising Disclaimer

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

Copyright © 2009-2024 by SFTourismTips.com. All rights reserved.

This website does not sell any personal information. (See privacy policy )

Painted Ladies Tour Company

painted ladies tour san francisco

  • See all photos

painted ladies tour san francisco

Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

painted ladies tour san francisco

Painted Ladies Wine Country Tour

painted ladies tour san francisco

Painted Ladies Private San Francisco Tour

painted ladies tour san francisco

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

All About T

Painted Ladies Tour Company - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Bay Area Telegraph

San Francisco’s Painted Ladies: Everything to Know

Photo of Derek Souza

Easily one of the most recognizable and photographed sights in San Francisco, the “Painted Ladies” have become a staple of The Golden City’s culture and history.

The term was first coined in the book, Painted Ladies: San Francisco’s Resplendent Victorians written by writers Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen in 1978. Although the homes had been around for some time, their colorfulness was unprecedented throughout most of their history.

This article will help you find out more about these beautiful architectural icons: how they came to be, why they’ve become famous, some interesting details and trivia, and even some travel tips for visiting them yourself.

Table of contents

Historical color scheme, 1906 san francisco earthquake, why are the painted ladies famous, “postcard row”, how much does a painted lady cost.

  • Which painted lady is the Full House?

Visiting the Painted Ladies

History of the painted ladies.

These Victorian homes have been around well before their nickname. Construction of around 48,000 Victorian and Edwardian houses were built in the city between 1849 and 1915.

This large demand was fueled mostly by the Gold Rush of 1849. The population of San Francisco skyrocketed from only 800 all the way to 25,000 in just that year. The city truly hit the ground running!

painted ladies tour san francisco

The homes were mostly painted in varying shades of white to hide their redwood structure. It is not difficult to imagine the entire city of San Francisco gleaming white under the California sun; like a city of marble.

Sadly in 1906, San Francisco was ravaged by a record-breaking earthquake which took 3,000 lives and destroyed about 80% of the city. Most of the Victorian/Edwardian mansions of Nob Hill were destroyed, but the more modest homes on the south and west side were mostly spared.

painted ladies tour san francisco

In 1963, San Francisco artist Butch Kardum painted the exterior of his Victorian-style house with rich green and blue colors. This was following a period after WWII in which many Victorian and Edwardian homes were painted gray using surplus paint from the Navy.

Many of the antique homes were either lost in the historical 1906 earthquake, or remodeled. What followed Kardum’s bold move was his neighbors mimicking his colorful style and thus, the Colorist Movement took off in San Francisco.

Where a charming aspect of the city’s history and architecture was slowly disappearing, the movement injected a new life into the facades and gave us one of The Golden City’s greatest phenomena.

Since then the movement has spread to other American cities like Baltimore, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Chicago .

Sprinklings of these colorfully-painted Victorian and Edwardian homes can be found all over the city, but it is the row along the eastern side of the Alamo Square Park that have become the most famous.

Perhaps the backdrop of the wide skyline of Downtown offers a photogenic view that is too pretty to resist visiting and taking pictures of. Photos of the homes are a common site on San Francisco postcards and other memorabilia, even adopting the nickname, “Postcard Row”.

They are also sometimes called “The Seven Sisters” due to six of them being so structurally similar, with the bigger “sister” on the north end of the row.

The homes were built between 1892 and 1896 by Matthew Kavanaugh, a San Francisco developer who lived just next door to them.

painted ladies tour san francisco

Does anyone live in the Alamo Square Painted Ladies?

Many people who plan to visit Postcard Row often wonder if they are open for tourist viewings of the interior. All seven of the houses are privately-owned, thus visitors to the homes should do their best to respect the privacy of those within.

That said, at least one resident does offer private tours inside one of the painted ladies.

As of 2022, the painted ladies along Alamo Square are estimated to be between $3 and $5 million. When these homes do get listed on the market however, the asking price may be considerably higher.

Which painted lady is the Full House ?

Those of you with a keen eye may have noticed something familiar, even possibly nostalgic, about the houses along Postcard Row.

During the music intro of the 1980s-90s sitcom Full House , the Tanner family can be seen enjoying a picnic in the grass of Alamo Square with Postcard Row in the background. Many went on to assume that, within the fiction of the show, the Tanners actually lived on Postcard Row.

However, this is a common misconception. The Tanner home was actually located about a mile north of Alamo Square at 1709 Broderick Street. Many die-hard fans of the show go on pilgrimage to it for some quick photos and bragging rights.

painted ladies tour san francisco

You can visit the Painted Ladies by navigating to Alamo Square in San Francisco. For a unique experience, book a tour to see the inside of one of these iconic homes.

Although the Seven Sisters on Postcard Row are the most iconic of the city’s Painted Ladies, they can be found almost all over the city.

If you’re up for a little “Victorian expedition”, here are a few other homes and streets that are definitely worth seeing in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood:

  • 144-146 Central Avenue
  • The “Four Seasons Houses” at the intersection of  Waller Street and Masonic Avenue
  • The “Grateful Dead House” at 727 Ashbury

Those are some of the most notable sights in the colorful, 60s hippie atmosphere of Haight-Ashbury. And what better way to experience the hippie vibes of Haight-Ashbury then in a vintage Volkswagen bus tour?

San Francisco is a city which has become inseparable from its charming aesthetic and colorful personality. Today it stands as a shining result of its upstart history from the Gold Rush, through its vivid evolutions in the decades following.

The Painted Ladies are standing testaments to San Francisco’s character, and one cannot fully appreciate the Golden City without recognizing the significance of their contribution.

Hopefully, through reading about their story you have come away with a better idea of what makes San Francisco what it is today.

So plan a day, or even half a day, and get out there and get to know the Painted Ladies personally.

Share this:

Photo of Derek Souza

Derek Souza

Leave a reply cancel reply, discover more from bay area telegraph.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Company Logo - Home Link

The Painted Ladies: An Iconic San Francisco Site

painted ladies tour san francisco

Whenever I lead a walking tour in San Francisco, I almost always get asked about the Painted Ladies, those colorful Victorian houses that have adorned postcards for decades.

That's why I wrote this post about these iconic houses, also known as the Seven Sisters.

In addition to directions to the Painted Ladies, I explain a bit of their history and architectural style, the best spot for that perfect picture, and what tours you can take to see inside one.

I even tell you which house is from the TV show Full House !

Lastly, at the bottom of this post, I include tips and comments from members of San Francisco travel groups on Facebook, like our own, San Francisco Travel Tips .

WHERE ARE THE PAINTED LADIES?

The Painted Ladies are located at 710-720 Steiner Street between Grove and Hayes Streets across the street from Alamo Square Park in the Alamo Square Park neighborhood of San Francisco. 

You can use this Google Map to get directions from your departure point to the houses.

The Painted Ladies are a stop on several hop-on-hop-off tours.  Be sure to read our post comparing the different bus tour companies .

painted ladies tour san francisco

By public transportation, take the #21-Hayes Muni bus from Market Street to Alamo Square, getting off on Steiner St.

You'll see Alamo Square to the left and the Painted Ladies on your right, about halfway up Steiner Street.

The ride from Fisherman's Wharf is approximately 40-45 min.

If you are new to the city, read our post on how to ride the Muni buses .

Free San Francisco Walking Tours

WHEN AND WHERE TO TAKE THE BEST PHOTOS

It's best to take photos at midday to get a clear view of Downtown San Francisco in the background of your picture.

You'll recognize the most popular view of the houses if you go inside Alamo Square Park where there is a rise in the landscaping.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hans ♠️♥️♣️♦️ (@hans_wanderlust)

When there is no fog, you can see the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid from the park.

Below, we have embedded a photosphere taken from a previous visitor.

Despite the fog, you can take a look around the area by putting your cursor on the image and moving it around.

For other amazing skyline views, check out our post on the Top 10 San Francisco Photo Locations.

HOW MUCH ARE THE PAINTED LADIES WORTH?

Millions, plural. However, one of the homes sold in 2014 for  $900K less than asking the price!  

As of 2023, many of the homes are estimated to be worth between $2 million to over $4 million .

The variation in value is due to the different amenities and sizes that affect the value.

While these historic homes are icons of San Francisco, owners have to deal with thousands of photo-taking tourists - not an appealing aspect of one's home.

They are almost all at least a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom house with a garage - all with a story behind it.

Here's a tour of one of the Painted Ladies put up for sale in 2022.

TIP : Want to learn about why these houses are the way they are? Read below about their glorious architecture!

TOURS OF THE PAINTED LADIES

Although these homes are privately owned, there have been companies, like Take Walks, that from time to time have offered tours.

Currently, the only tour available is through one of the homeowners.

Tour of the Interior of 712 Steiner Street

As of 2021, the owner of 712 Steiner Street, George Horsfall, has been offering 90-minute tours of his house.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by George Horsfall (@bluepaintedladyhousetour)

For $30 a person, you can see the top three floors of the home. Tours run daily at 4 pm.

Find more details on his Instagram account @bluepaintedladyhousetour .

You can also book this tour as an Airbnb Experience . Check out the rave reviews!

In addition to getting access to one of the Painted Ladies, you'll also enjoy a tour of the area providing details about the history of the Victorian houses.

  • $39/Adults, Students | $34/Children
  • Spring Availability: Sundays at 10 am
  • Summer/Fall Availability: Sun & Fri at 10 am
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Includes admission to a Painted Lady.
  • Purchase tickets or learn more .

Reviews indicate that this tour is quite entertaining and the opportunity to step inside a Painted Lady has been described as an "eccentric adventure."

Visitors are typically very impressed with their tour guide, describing them as both knowledgeable and friendly.

NOTE : As of April 2024, this tour is not currently available.

How to Get a Sneak Peek Inside the Painted Ladies

At an Open House!

If you're in luck, maybe one of them will be on the market!

In 2022, the owner of the pink Painted Lady listed the house at $3.55 million. It's 2,996-square-foot with 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

As you can see from the video, this house is a fixer-upper!

WHICH HOUSE IS FROM FULL HOUSE ?

If you watched television in the early '90s, you will probably recognize these homes from the opening credits of Full House .

This well-known scene leads to the homes being referred to as the Full House Houses, but actually, the Full House is quite a distance away - still in San Francisco, though!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ian Bulaclac (@ian_boolocklock)

Within the row of seven houses, viewers are never told which one is meant to be the Tanner's home, and the actual house used to film the exterior shot - the Victorian House with the red door isn't even one of those houses.  

The Full House house is located at 1709 Broderick Street , a 20-minute walk from Alamo Square.

Read our details post to help you find the Full House house.

THE PAINTED LADIES IN MOVIES AND TV:

Full Hous e isn't the only place you may have seen these homes!

It is estimated that they have been used in over 70 films and TV Shows.

  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
  • Junior (1994)
  • Full House (1987-1995)
  • Bicentennial Man
  • Dirty Harry
  • The Five-Year Engagement
  • So I married an Axe Murdere r
  • Not exactly filmed at the Painted Ladies, but only located about one mile north of Alamo Square at 2640 Steiner St., the 1993 film  Mrs. Doubtfire  was shot on this and other San Francisco locations .
  • Other films that have used Alamo Square are Murder in the First , Nine Months , and The Conversation.
  • Author Alice Walker ( The Color Purple ) used to live in one of the homes - even having house concerts until the neighbors complained about the same song being played over and over.

Want to learn more about some of the historic sites in San Francisco? We offer walking tours throughout the city - Free Tours by Foot San Francisco Walking Tours .

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THE PAINTED LADIES

The Painted Ladies are one of the most iconic attractions in San Francisco.

This row of seven colorful Queen Anne-style Victorian homes is known as “postcard row” because they appear on countless postcards.

What makes these homes so beautiful, besides their jovial colors, is the array of Victorian architectural features they all have.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sf Painted Ladies (@paintedladiestourcompany)

They are 2 or 3 stories tall and have multiple balconies, large porches, gingerbread-style gables, overhanging eaves, detailed brackets, front-facing gables, cutaway bay windows, and stained-glass paneling.

To clarify, it is not just these houses that are known as ‘The Painted Ladies’. Any Victorian house with 3 or more colors is considered a ‘Painted Lady’. 

There are Painted Ladies in other U.S. cities, like Baltimore, Maryland, Cape May, New Jersey and Cincinnati, Ohio.

In fact, there are more Painted Ladies in San Francisco, in Haight-Ashbury. They just aren't as famous!

SUGGESTIONS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

We always do our best to provide helpful information, but sometimes we might miss a few things. That's why we have a San Francisco Travel Tips group on Facebook!

Our group and others like San Francisco Travel are a great resource for advice from locals and visitors to the Bay Area.

Here are a few of the most helpful suggestions we found in these Facebook groups.

A common question is if the Painted Ladies are worth a visit. 

Most comments indicated that they were, but that the best way to enjoy them is to spend some time in Alamo Square across from the houses.

As we mentioned above, this is where you can get a great photo of the Painted Ladies.

painted ladies tour san francisco

What if you have a minted amount of time to see the best sights in San Francisco? Should the Painted Ladies make it into your itinerary? 

This reply said that unless you’ve seen the best sights in San Francisco first. If there’s time left over, then a visit is worth the time.

painted ladies tour san francisco

Another popular question is if the hop-on hop-off buses, like Big Bus, go past the Painted Ladies.

Indeed, the buses do not go past the houses but do stop nearby, giving people the opportunity to walk over and take a look.

painted ladies tour san francisco

For those who want to see the houses, it is necessary to get off as the houses cannot be seen from the bus.

As for how much time to spend at that particular stop, these commenters feel that not much time is warranted.

Essentially, hop off at the Painted Ladies stop. Head over to see them, then head back to the same stop they hopped off.

painted ladies tour san francisco

Those visiting San Francisco with their car wanted to know if it is possible to see the Painted Ladies by driving past them or if it is necessary to stop. 

This commenter replied that while you can drive past them, your experience (and photos) will be better if you stop and park, even if for a short time.

painted ladies tour san francisco

For more helpful advice on the Painted Ladies or any San Francisco topic, check out our San Francisco Travel Tips on Facebook.

RELATED POSTS

  • Free Walking Tours San Francisco
  • Things to Do in San Francisco

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

painted ladies tour san francisco

North America

United kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

San Francisco City Guides

  • Find Your Tour
  • How It Works
  • Become a Member
  • Become a Sponsor
  • Become a Guide
  • Resources & Links
  • Private Tours
  • Resources & Links

Alamo Square and its Painted Ladies

Neighborhood: Western Addition

Description

While standing in Alamo Square park across from the iconic Painted Ladies, famously known as Post-card row, visitors will see the incredible views of the San Francisco skyline.

Beyond the Painted ladies, this official Historic District Neighborhood is home to countless other examples of Victorian architecture; including, Italianate, San Francisco Stick and of course the elegant Queen Anne homes. On Sunny days, the neighborhood and its park fill up with tourists and dog-walkers. In addition to the stunning views, you’ll hear many intriguing tales of how this neighborhood came to be while witnessing one of most complete collections of the era’s architecture.

It’s an historic district that’s more than meets the eye—come along on a journey through time.

  • Saturday, May 11 at 11:00 am given by Elizabeth O. Sign Up
  • Saturday, May 25 at 11:00 am given by Lois B. Sign Up

Tour Length: Approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours

Meet in front of 824 Grove Street. Public transportation: MUNI lines 21, 22, 5.

Please note: Private group tours required for groups of 8 or more.

painted ladies tour san francisco

2:=E@iE@FCDoD74:EJ8F:56D]@C8');"> gro.sediugyticfs@sruot

415-375-0468

Mailing Address San Francisco City Guides c/o SF Public Library 100 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102

EIN: 85-3688709

Trip Advisor Hall of Fame

TripAdvisor Hall of Fame

  • Group Tours

Subscribe to Newsletter

© 2024 San Francisco City Guides

WordPress Web Design and Development by HyperArts

painted ladies tour san francisco

painted ladies tour san francisco

Haight Ashbury & Painted Ladies Tour

Requirements, discover the painted ladies & haight-ashbury tour.

On this Painted Ladies San Francisco tour, you’ll go on a 3-hour tour that includes plenty of memorable stops as you make your way to your destinations.

You’ll drive to the winding top of Twin Peaks and get a beautiful, panoramic view of San Francisco if it’s a clear day outside. You’ll then drive down to Alamo Square to view the Painted Ladies, also made famous by the popular sitcom, Full House. For our Painted Ladies San Francisco Tour, you also have the option to venture off to Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill before you drive off to visit either Downtown or Presidio and Lombard Street and learn more about this iconic area.

The Painted Ladies San Francisco tour is great for anyone that wants to explore some of the most iconic landmarks that are within San Francisco’s busiest districts. If you want to explore a different side of the city, take a look at our other San Francisco tours .

Book Now in Two Easy Steps

Book online now!

Vehicles available on tour

painted ladies tour san francisco

The Original Little Yellow Car

Classic GoCar

The Classic GoCar is powered by an Italian engine and GoCar Technology.

  • 30MPH top speed
  • Driver’s license required
  • Driver must be 21 years of age

How it works

  • Stop when and where you want!
  • Follow the GPS at your own pace!
  • Discover the secrets of the city!

What you will see

  • Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Ghirardelli Square
  • Crissy Field
  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Baker Beach
  • Lincoln Park Golf Course
  • Legion of Honor
  • U.S.S. San Francisco Memorial
  • Land’s End, Sutro Baths
  • Cliff House
  • Ocean Beach
  • Golden Gate Park
  • Dutch Windmills
  • Spreckles’ Lake
  • Buffalo Paddock
  • Japanese Tea Garden
  • DeYoung Museum
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Conservatory of Flowers
  • Strybing Arboretum
  • AIDS Memorial Grove
  • Inspiration Point
  • Palace of Fine Arts
  • Lombard “Crookedest Street”
  • Alamo Square
  • Painted Ladies
  • Haight-Ashbury

gocars parked in front of the Painted Ladies in San Francisco

Best Selling Tours

Two GoCar Passengers Driving Near San Francisco

San Francisco to Sausalito Tour

Visit Sausalito, the quaint bayside town just beyond the City via the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Explore beyond San Francisco with speed in our Arcimo...

Tourists Parked at a Red Light in an Electric Vehicle

All Day Golden Gate Tour

A one of a kind experience as you explore beyond the City limits in our new Arcimoto electric vehicle!

IMAGES

  1. Painted Ladies: how to get to the famous Victorian houses of San Francisco

    painted ladies tour san francisco

  2. Painted Ladies

    painted ladies tour san francisco

  3. Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

    painted ladies tour san francisco

  4. Painted Ladies Tour Company

    painted ladies tour san francisco

  5. Painted Ladies, San Francisco by Joe Daniel Price

    painted ladies tour san francisco

  6. Painted Ladies in San Francisco: History, Pictures, and Visiting Tips

    painted ladies tour san francisco

COMMENTS

  1. Painted Ladies Tour Company

    Painted Ladies Tour Company bus tours are a unique way to take in the sights of San Francisco in fully restored vintage Volkswagen buses. ... Painted Ladies Tour Company is a small family business, so Josh and his team take great pride in making sure guests feel well taken care of and have an awesome experience. Josh's wife, Virgine, runs our ...

  2. Painted Ladies Tour Company

    Painted Ladies Tour Company. 2,905 reviews. #2 of 197 Food & Drink in San Francisco. City ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursFood ToursWine Tours & Tastings. Open now. 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Write a review. See all photos. About.

  3. Painted Ladies in San Francisco: History and Tips to Visit

    The term "painted ladies" refers to any historic house (usually a Victorian or Edwardian house) built in the late 1800s or early 1900s with three or more paint colors. You will see historic houses all around San Francisco, but the only true SF Painted Ladies are those with various colors on them.

  4. Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

    Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour. 1,342. 2 hours. Free Cancellation. From. $79.00. Likely to Sell Out. San Francisco Guided City Tour. 25. 4 to 5 hours. Free Cancellation. From. $69.00. Likely to Sell Out. Combo Small-Group Tour: SF City plus Muir Woods & Sausalito. 80. 8 hours. Free Cancellation. From. $149.00.

  5. Painted Ladies Tour Company

    336 reviews and 442 photos of PAINTED LADIES TOUR COMPANY "We booked this tour a day or two before arriving in San Francisco, after taking a similar tour of Seattle. Needless to say tour exceeded our expectations. Josh (tour guide and owner) was incredibly friendly and easy going. He shared insightful tidbits of history and local lore along the way.

  6. Painted Ladies

    The Painted Ladies are the best-looking ladies in San Francisco, especially against that jaw-dropping backdrop of Alamo Square Park. Learn how to find them, fun facts, and what to do in the neighborhood. See photos and tips from visitors who have admired these pastel-colored homes.

  7. Painted Ladies, San Francisco

    Big Bus San Francisco: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour. 3,625. Ride a double-decker sightseeing bus to San Francisco's most famous landmarks with a choice of 2 different passes. Explore the city's 49 square miles, including stops at big-name attractions like Pier 39, the Palace of Fine Arts and Union Square.

  8. Painted Ladies Tour Company

    Painted Ladies Tour Company. We provide a unique way to take in all of the sights of San Francisco in our fully restored vintage Volkswagen buses named Pearl & Poppy! As well as providing extended excursions outside of San Francisco to Muir Woods and Wine Country. They are all lot's of fun.

  9. Painted Ladies

    According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Painted Ladies: Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour (From $79.00) San Francisco ALL DAY SPECIAL GoCar Tour (From $311.03) 2-Day San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Chinatown Tour (From $73.00) Skip The Bus: San Francisco By Luxury Van Tour (From $99.00)

  10. Painted Ladies Tour Company

    Painted Ladies Tour Company, San Francisco, California. 11,907 likes · 1 talking about this. PLTC offers a unique fun way to see the sights of San Francisco, Wine Country ( Sonoma and Napa), Sau Painted Ladies Tour Company

  11. San Francisco Blue Painted Lady House Tour 2024

    Meeting point. Postcard Row. 710-720 Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. Open in Google Maps. Please wait on the low park wall directly opposite #712, (blue painted lady), no later than 4PM. Have ID, vaccination card and mask ready. George will bring you over to the house to begin the tour.

  12. 2024 Painted Ladies Wine Country Tour

    Painted Ladies Wine Country Tour. Wine lovers in San Francisco—this is the tour for you! Visit the world-renowned wine region of Sonoma Valley for wine tasting adventure in a vintage VW bus. Save time researching where to find the best wineries, and instead, go to a shortlist of award-winning wineries.

  13. One of San Francisco's Painted Ladies is open to tours

    Daily tours are now being offered at 712 Steiner St., the blue house in San Francisco's iconic row of Painted Ladies, as seen on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 22, 2022. Kevin Kelleher & Emily Trinh ...

  14. San Francisco's Painted Ladies: Everything to Know

    History of the Painted Ladies. These Victorian homes have been around well before their nickname. Construction of around 48,000 Victorian and Edwardian houses were built in the city between 1849 and 1915. This large demand was fueled mostly by the Gold Rush of 1849. The population of San Francisco skyrocketed from only 800 all the way to 25,000 ...

  15. The Painted Ladies San Francisco

    The Painted Ladies are located at 710-720 Steiner Street between Grove and Hayes Streets across the street from Alamo Square Park in the Alamo Square Park neighborhood of San Francisco. You can use this Google Map to get directions from your departure point to the houses. The Painted Ladies are a stop on several hop-on-hop-off tours.

  16. Painted Ladies

    The term 'Painted Ladies' was first used by Elizabeth Pomada and Micheal Larson in their 1978 book Painted Ladies - San Francisco's Resplendent Victorians. The houses were built between 1892 and 1896 by developer Matthew Kavanaugh, who lived nextdoor at 722 Steiner Street. The Painted Ladies of Postcard Row have appeared in more than 70 ...

  17. Alamo Square and its Painted Ladies

    Description. While standing in Alamo Square park across from the iconic Painted Ladies, famously known as Post-card row, visitors will see the incredible views of the San Francisco skyline. Beyond the Painted ladies, this official Historic District Neighborhood is home to countless other examples of Victorian architecture; including, Italianate ...

  18. Haight Ashbury Painted Ladies Tour

    Discover the Painted Ladies & Haight-Ashbury Tour. On this Painted Ladies San Francisco tour, you'll go on a 3-hour tour that includes plenty of memorable stops as you make your way to your destinations. You'll drive to the winding top of Twin Peaks and get a beautiful, panoramic view of San Francisco if it's a clear day outside.

  19. 1250 Grove St APT 6, San Francisco, CA 94117

    1250 Grove St APT 6, San Francisco, CA 94117 is an apartment unit listed for rent at $2,350 /mo. The 450 Square Feet unit is a Studio, 1 bath apartment unit. View more property details, sales history, and Zestimate data on Zillow.