Painted Ladies

These houses, built en masse at the turn of the 19th and 20th century, are a popular feature of every San Francisco photograph. You might have seen them in the opening scene of the television series Full House.

Called painted ladies for the trademark bright-colored paint on their exterior, these Victorian and Edwardian houses were first mentioned in a 1978 book "Painted Ladies - San Francisco's Resplendent Victorians." The newly-coined term has been used to describe them ever since. They can be easily recognised by their multiple balconies and huge porches.

Even though there are many such houses left all over San Francisco, these 7 at Alamo Square are the most iconic ones. When you take a picture of them with the city in the background, you are sure to get an unforgettable photograph. The best time to visit is when the sun is setting for even better photography opportunities.