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Seven Painted Ladies

Seven Painted Ladies

Highlight • Monument

Seven Painted Ladies

Name: Seven Painted Ladies
Rating: 2

Recommended by 72 hikers

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Location: San Francisco, United States

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Best Hikes to Seven Painted Ladies

4.7

(10)

hikers

1. Northwest City loop — San Francisco

26.5km

07:08

340m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

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2. Painted Ladies & Haight-Ashbury loop — San Francisco

5.70km

01:36

110m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

3.5

(2)

hikers

3. Seven Painted Ladies – Conservatory of Flowers loop from Van Ness

21.0km

05:32

190m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

Tips

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

December 22, 2019

One of the best-known groups of "Painted Ladies" is the row of Victorian houses at 710–720 Steiner Street, across from Alamo Square park, in San Francisco. It is sometimes known as "Postcard Row;" they are also known as the Seven Sisters. The houses were built between 1892 and 1896 by developer Matthew Kavanaugh, who lived next door in the 1892 mansion at 722 Steiner St. They appear frequently in media and mass-market photographs of the city and its tourist attractions and in over 70 movies, TV programs, and ads, including the opening credits of the television series Full House and its sequel Fuller House.
In American architecture, painted ladies are Victorian and Edwardian houses repainted, starting in the 1960s, in three or more colors that enhance their architectural details. The term was first used for San Francisco Victorian houses by writers Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen in their 1978 book Painted Ladies: San Francisco's Resplendent Victorians. About 48,000 houses in the Victorian and Edwardian styles were built in San Francisco between 1849 and 1915 (Edwardian starting with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901), and many were painted in bright colors. As one newspaper critic noted in 1885, "...red, yellow, chocolate, orange, everything that is loud is in fashion ... if the upper stories are not of red or blue ... they are painted up into uncouth panels of yellow and brown ..." Many of the Nob Hill mansions were destroyed by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, thousands of the mass-produced, more modest houses survived in western and southern neighborhoods.
During World War I and II, many of these houses were painted battleship gray with war-surplus Navy paint. 16'000 were demolished, and many others had the Victorian decor stripped off or covered with siding. In 1963, San Francisco artist Butch Kardum began combining intense blues and greens on the exterior of his Italianate-style Victorian house. Criticized by some, but other neighbors began to copy the bright colors on their own houses. Kardum became a color designer, and he and other artists / colorists such as Tony Canaletich, Bob Buckter, and Jazon Wonders began to transform dozens of gray houses into Painted Ladies. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_ladies
For many people, the best photo is when the sun is setting in the west, casting a sunset glow over these houses and Alamo Square. If the opportunity arises, make time to take a tour inside one of the homes.

Lahaina

October 29, 2018

At Alamo Square you have the perfect view of this attraction, which has also become known through the series "Full House".

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🅰️RNE

November 4, 2018

From the opposite Alamo Square Park you have a great view of the row of houses of the US sitcom "FullHouse". Just sit on the grass and relax.

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Volker 🇩🇪🚵‍♂️🚶‍♂️

May 27, 2019

We also settled in Alamo Square Park and enjoyed the view of the Victorian-style houses. Worth seeing.

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Biene

August 29, 2019

For colorful photos is rather the afternoon recommended, because in the morning the sun is behind the houses.

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einbisschenSauer 🤙🏻

February 1, 2021

Must see in SF. Unfortunately, there are always a lot of tourists on site. But from the right angle, you can take great photos with the Financial District in the background.

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Beyond the Horizon

January 24, 2024

These charming Victorian houses, painted in vibrant colors, not only reflect architectural history but also tell a story of resilience and artistic expression.

Located across from Alamo Square Park, the Painted Ladies offer a picturesque scene appreciated by visitors and locals alike. Built between 1892 and 1896, the houses stand on Steiner Street and offer scenic views of the city. They became famous through the popular TV series "Full House," but their significance extends far beyond pop cultural recognition.

In the 1960s, when many Victorian houses in San Francisco were threatened with demolition, a movement began to save and revitalize these architectural treasures. Artists and neighbors began painting the houses in bold colors to highlight their architectural details. This was a reaction to the gray monotony that had covered many of these houses for decades. The Painted Ladies are thus not only a symbol of the aesthetics of the Victorian era, but also of San Francisco's creative rebirth and community spirit.

The best time to visit is in the late afternoon, when the sun sets in the west and casts a warm, golden glow over the buildings and Alamo Square. This moment, when the colors of the buildings glow in the soft light, provides a perfect backdrop for an unforgettable photo. The juxtaposition of the old architecture with the modern skyline panorama of San Francisco in the background is an enchanting sight.

A stroll through Alamo Square Park, overlooking these colorful gems, offers a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can simply sit on the grass, relax, and absorb the atmosphere. The Painted Ladies are more than just a tourist attraction; they are a living example of San Francisco's love of history, art, and life.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 60 m

Weather

Sunday 16 November

17°C

11°C

86 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: San Francisco, United States

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Seven Painted Ladies

1. Northwest City loop — San Francisco

2. Painted Ladies & Haight-Ashbury loop — San Francisco

3. Seven Painted Ladies – Conservatory of Flowers loop from Van Ness

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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