Pose for pictures against the backdrop of the San Francisco skyline and the Painted Ladies! Featured in the opening credits of the TV series Full House, the Painted Ladies consist of five beautiful Victorian homes facing Alamo Square. The square offers 12.7 acres of open space for a picnic, a nap, or a variety of other activities.

Getting Here

Muni Lines 5, 21, and 22 drop off near Alamo Square. Parking is available in the area and includes metered parking as well as 2-hour parking.

Location

The Painted Ladies are located at 710-720 Steiner Street, facing Alamo Square Park. Alamo Square Park is located just three blocks northeast from the panhandle of Golden Gate Park. One block further is the Haight shopping district.

Painted Ladies

Constructed between 1892 and 1896 by Matthew Kavanaugh, this famous row of houses has been featured in numerous print and TV ads, movies, television programs, and more. The most memorable TV spot includes the opening credits of the television series Full House, which ran from 1987 to 1995.

These Victorian homes have been dubbed the “Painted Ladies” for the three colors of paint (or more) that decorate their exteriors. When Butch Kardum, a San Francisco artist, began painting his Victorian home in this fashion, he did not know he would spawn a movement that continues to this very day. Today, visitors can see Victorian homes in the process of repainting in the tricolor style and can see numerous painted Victorian houses throughout the city.

Also called “Postcard Row,” these homes are featured on numerous postcards and other memorabilia at stores across the city.

Alamo Square

Comprised of 12.7 acres and boasting a playground and tennis courts, Alamo Square Park’s prime location offers views of the San Francisco skyline and the Painted Ladies. On a clear day, visitors can see the Transamerica Pyramid and the tops of both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge. A number of mansions and homes line the square, featuring a diverse array of architectural styles. Interestingly, the Russian and German Imperial consuls were located in some of these homes in the early 1900s.

Public bathrooms are available at the peak of the park, and multiple benches provide resting spots throughout the park. This park bears the distinction of being relatively homeless-free, as the park’s distance from major retailers and its uphill journey may discourage them from taking up residence.

A number of popular restaurants and shops have opened in recent years near Alamo Square Park, providing locals and tourists with shopping and dining options that are chain-free.

Nearby Points of Interest

The Haight: shopping district is four blocks southeast of Alamo Square and offers boutiques, retail clothing stores, smoke shops, cafes, a used music shop, and more.

Golden Gate Park: A half-mile further is the eastern end of Golden Gate Park, which offers lawn bowling, polo, the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and California Academy of Sciences.

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