When I take guests out on a private tour of San Francisco, the number one request, right after Golden Gate Bridge, is to see the Painted Ladies. Which, if I’m doing the math right, makes it the second most favorite destination.
The Painted Ladies. A simple image that captures the contrast of old and new San Francisco.
You can take a tour of the Blue House on Postcard Row.
This group of Victorians go by many names: The Painted Ladies, Postcard Row, The 7 Sisters, the Full House Houses. Recently, many of my guests have been baffled when they see them because they were expecting a sculpture, or actual naked woman. Really. I blame this on travelers clicking on “Ten Things to See in San Francisco” and only reading the headline as the extent of their travel research.
The reason these Victorians are popular is the image tells a simple, vivid story. Old San Francisco in the front, contrasting with modern San Francisco in the background. The repetition–they are similar, not identical–we find ascetically pleasing. It is an easy photo to take. All that combines in being featured in countless television shows, movie, postcards, and refrigerator magnets.
After July 3rd, book by texting 1-415-377-8559
You can get a tour of one of the most famous houses in San Francisco most everyday at 4pm. The story of George Horsfall and his house was featured in the Chronicle, and is worth a read.
I’ve taken the tour and I highly recommend it. Not only is it a chance to experience the inside of a house that, every time you see it on television or a postcard, you can brag “I’ve been in the blue one,” but George is delightful host and an entertaining storyteller. It’s billed as tour, but is really is a rare opportunity to hang out with an interesting San Franciscan as he tells stories about his house, his family, and the history of the neighborhood.
As shown in the photo, you can reserve a place by texting 1-415-377-8559, but don’t use What’s App. $20 per person, and truly worth it.
I write more about how Victorians tell the story of neighborhoods here.