Painted Ladies, San Francisco

Name: Painted Ladies
Address: Steiner St, San Francisco, 94117, United States

#35 among attractions in San Francisco

Vernacular architecture, Historical place, Park

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Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, the Painted Ladies are a charming row of Victorian houses that have become one of the city's most photographed landmarks. These historic homes, known for their vibrant colors and intricate architectural details, are a delightful representation of San Francisco's rich architectural heritage.

Located on Steiner Street, across from Alamo Square Park, the Painted Ladies are often referred to as "Postcard Row." Their stunning backdrop includes the modern skyline of San Francisco, providing a stark contrast that highlights the city's unique blend of old and new. Built between 1892 and 1896 by developer Matthew Kavanaugh, these Queen Anne-style homes are emblematic of the period's optimism and decorative craftsmanship.

While the term "Painted Ladies" can refer to any of the thousands of similar Victorian and Edwardian houses in the city, it is most commonly associated with this particular stretch. The colorful facades of these homes are painted in three or more colors to enhance their architectural details. This aesthetic was quite a departure from the monochromatic paint schemes that were common during their construction.

The Painted Ladies have gained fame not only for their beauty but also for their appearances in various forms of popular culture, including the opening credits of the television show "Full House" and the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire," further cementing their status as a cultural icon.

Though the interiors of the houses are private residences and not open to the public, visitors to San Francisco can admire the exteriors of the Painted Ladies and enjoy a picnic in Alamo Square Park. The park offers one of the best views of the houses and is a popular spot for photography, especially at sunset when the colors of the houses seem to glow against the city skyline.

Alternative names: Architectural style: Queen Anne style architectureElevation: 207 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 37°46'34"N, 122°25'59"W

Address

Steiner StNorthwest San Francisco (Alamo Square)San Francisco 94117 United States

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San Francisco

Day trips

Painted Ladies – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Wiggle Bicycles, The Fillmore, Alamo Square, Japan Center.

~1920 ftS
Cycling, Bike path
Wiggle Bicycles, San Francisco
10 min walk • The Wiggle is a one-mile, zig-zagging bicycle route from Market Street to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California, that minimizes hilly inclines for bicycle riders. Rising 120 feet, The Wiggle inclines average 3% and never exceed 6%.
0.5 miN
Theater
The Fillmore, San Francisco
14 min walk • The Fillmore is a historic music venue in San Francisco, California. Built in 1912 and originally named the Majestic Hall, it became the Fillmore Auditorium in 1954.
~580 ftW
Square
Alamo Square, San Francisco
3 min walk • Alamo Square is a residential neighborhood and park in San Francisco, California, in the Western Addition. Its boundaries are Buchanan Street on the east, Turk Street on the north, Baker Street on the west, and Page Street Street on the south.
0.6 miN
Shopping, Shopping centre, Entertainment
Japan Center, San Francisco
17 min walk • The Japan Center is a shopping center in the Japantown neighborhood of San Francisco, California. It opened in March 1968 and was originally called the Japanese Cultural and Trade Center. It is bounded by Geary, Post, Fillmore, and Laguna.
0.6 miN
Pagoda, Spiritual, Buddhist architecture
Pagoda, San Francisco
17 min walk • The San Francisco Peace Pagoda is a five-tiered concrete stupa between Post and Geary Streets at Buchanan in San Francisco's Nihonmachi.
~1330 ftW
Theater
Harding Theater, San Francisco
7 min walk • The Harding Theater is a historic movie theater located at 616 Divisadero Street in San Francisco, California. The space is currently occupied by the Emporium Arcade Bar.
0.6 miSE
Monuments and statues
California Volunteers Sculpture, San Francisco
16 min walk • California Volunteers, also known as the California Volunteers' Memorial and the Spanish–American War Memorial, is an outdoor sculpture installed in 1906 by Douglas Tilden.
0.5 miS
Park, Playground
Duboce Park, San Francisco
12 min walk • Duboce Park is a small urban park located between the Duboce Triangle and Lower Haight neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. The park is less than one block wide from north to south and two blocks wide from west to east. Its western boundary is Scott Street, and its eastern boundary is Steiner Street.
0.6 miSE
Theater, Concerts and shows, Event space
SF LGBT Center, San Francisco
15 min walk • The SF LGBT Center is a nonprofit organization serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community of San Francisco, California, and nearby communities, located at 1800 Market Street in San Francisco.
0.4 miE
Temple, Sacred and religious sites, Buddhist architecture
San Francisco Zen Center, San Francisco
11 min walk • San Francisco Zen Center, is a network of affiliated Sōtō Zen practice and retreat centers in the San Francisco Bay area, comprising City Center or Beginner's Mind Temple, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, and Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. The sangha was incorporated by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and a group of his American students in 1962.
0.6 miN
Nightlife, Cinema
AMC Dine-In Kabuki 8, San Francisco
16 min walk • AMC Kabuki 8 is a movie theater in the Japan Center complex in San Francisco's Japantown neighborhood.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Painted Ladies?

Nearby attractions include Alamo Square, San Francisco (3 min walk), William Westerfeld House, San Francisco (4 min walk), Harding Theater, San Francisco (7 min walk), The Independent, San Francisco (8 min walk).

How to get to Painted Ladies by public transport?

The nearest stations to Painted Ladies:

Trolleybus

Fillmore Street & Hayes Street • Lines: 22 (3 min walk)

Bus

McAllister Street & Pierce Street • Lines: 5 (5 min walk)
Haight Street & Fillmore Street • Lines: 7, N-Owl (8 min walk)

Light rail

Sunset Tunnel East Portal • Lines: N (13 min walk)
Duboce Avenue & Church Street • Lines: N (13 min walk)

Tram

Market Street & Buchanan Street • Lines: F (15 min walk)

Metro

16th Street Mission • Lines: Blue, Green, Red, Yellow (27 min walk)
Civic Center • Lines: Blue, Green, Red, Yellow (28 min walk)

Train

Carl Street & Cole Street (30 min walk)