Last Updated on seventh March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
One of essentially the most iconic vistas of San Francisco is undoubtedly that of the Painted Ladies, a row of seven pastel hued Queen Anne Victorian homes within the Alamo Square Park neighborhood within the Fillmore part of San Francisco. Here’s how one can go to the Painted Ladies of San Francisco, in addition to what to know earlier than you go.
What is a Painted Lady?
Painted Ladies isn’t just the time period for the row of Victorian House sin SF. Instead, Painted Ladies is a common time period in American structure which denotes a row of Victorian or Edwardian homes which have been repainted (often publish Sixties) in three or extra shiny colors with loads of gildings.
It’s price noting that, whereas the Victorians weren’t ones to draw back from portray constructions in shiny colors, the tones used on Painted Ladies as we speak wouldn’t have been used traditionally.
The time period was truly first coined within the guide by Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen, Painted Ladies: San Francisco’s Resplendent Victorians, which was printed in 1978.
There are literally Painted Ladies in different US cities, together with St. Louis, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. However, these of SF stay essentially the most well-known.
How did the Painted Ladies come about?
Between 1849 and 1915, it’s thought that as much as 48,000 homes had been constructed in San Francisco within the Victorian fashion. They had been painted in every kind of various colors, although in the course of the World Wars many had been painted in battleship grey.
It wasn’t till 1963 when the San Francisco artist Butch Kardum started portray his home in shiny colors that others quickly adopted go well with, resulting in the brightly colored Painted Ladies look that so many individuals get pleasure from to at the present time. The pattern was often known as the “Colorist Movement.”
Though there are dozens of Victorian and Edwardian homes nonetheless standing in SF as we speak, when referring to the Painted Ladies, most individuals are speaking in regards to the row of seven homes at 710–720 Steiner Street, simply throughout from Alamo Square Park, on the japanese aspect of the inexperienced area.
These homes are generally fondly known as ‘Postcard Row’ or the ‘Seven Sisters’ on account of their beautiful look. Another space the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from lovely Painted Ladies is in Haight-Ashbury. One explicit group of Victorian houses on this district which is beginning to develop into well-known is the 4 seasons.
How to see the Painted Ladies in San Francisco
The best method to go to the Painted Ladies (you’ll be able to solely see their exteriors) is by heading to Alamo Square Park. It’s a preferred spot for picnics in the summertime months and you may get pleasure from your snacks whereas overlooking the homes, with an additional view of town past.
The greatest time to go to is undoubtedly sundown when the gorgeous colours of the sky are mirrored on the equally lovely gingerbread gabling, a number of balconies, overhanging eaves, detailed brackets, and stained glass paneling of the houses.
You may also guide a hop-on-hop-off tour bus as a number of corporations embody passing the Painted Ladies as a part of their loop. Alternatively, one other method to see the outside of the Painted Ladies is by reserving onto a Movie Sights Tour like this one.
For extra inspiration about visiting San Francisco, take a look at our guides on the greatest issues to do in San Francisco and our ideas for how one can spend 3 days in San Francisco.
The Painted Ladies in Popular Culture
If you need to see their interiors, you’ll have to do this by watching YouTube or by watching a film (except you comply with my tip beneath). Indeed, so emblematic of town are these seven homes that they’ve been utilized in numerous movie productions through the years (nicely over 70).
One explicit movie that actually options one of many Painted Ladies is the 1978 model of the Bodysnatchers, which options 720 Steiner avenue. The movie showcases various the home’s interiors, thus lifting the lid on an inside that’s in any other case little seen.
Other movies which function the Painted Ladies of SF embody:
- The Five-Year Engagement (2012)
- Shut Up Little Man (2011)
- Bicentennial Man (1999)
- So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)
- “Full House” (TV present: 1987–1995)
- The Woman in Red (1984)
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
- The Conversation (1974)
- Dirty Harry (1971)
Does anybody reside within the Painted Ladies San Francisco?
Yes, the entire Victorian homes are privately owned and it’s not potential to enter most of them. Currently not one of the Painted Ladies are used as vacationer lodging.
Every few years, one of many homes finally ends up on the market and these historic landmarks are so iconic that it typically makes the information when one is put up on the market!
Visiting the within of the Painted Ladies
As of 2021, it has been potential to enter the within of the blue painted home, i.e. No. 712 Steiner Street. The guided tour is by home-owner George Horsfall and permits guests to see the highest three flooring of the house. You can discover extra particulars on Instagram @bluepaintedladyhousetour.
Tours price a urged donation of $20, with funds raised going to charities, funds, and causes. Alternatively, you’ll be able to guide a go to via Airbnb expertise. Check extra data right here.