Painted Ladies Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Painted Ladies. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

• Skip The Bus: San Francisco By Luxury Van Tour

• Vantigo - The Original San Francisco VW Bus Tour

• San Francisco City Tour, Muir Woods & Sausalito: Half or Full Day

• San Francisco Small Group City Highlights and Alcatraz Tour

The Painted Ladies are a row of Victorian Houses that are private residences; it’s free to view their exteriors, but you can’t actually go inside. However, to see these homes from afar, hop-on hop-off bus tours start at US$50, vintage bus tours cost upwards of US$82, and electric bike tours are US$100 and up.

Yes, the Painted Ladies are worth visiting, as these colorful houses are a prime photo opportunity in San Francisco, and a great pick for anyone interested in the city's historic architecture. To explore the Painted Ladies as well as wider San Francisco landmarks, consider booking a sightseeing tour, such as a hop-on hop-off bus tour for lots of flexibility, an electric bike tour to see landmarks up-close, or a retro bus tour for a fun way to travel.

Per one customer who booked the Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour, "Highly recommend this tour. Jack was an excellent guide with deep local knowledge and a great way of explaining the history behind the Painted Ladies and the surrounding neighborhood. The tour was informative, fun, and well organized. Definitely worth doing."

No, not unless a resident invites you in. The Painted Ladies are private homes and not open to the public except on rare exclusive tours. Be mindful that people live in the candy-colored Victorians—visitors can respect the San Francisco residents by not posing for photos on the front steps or near the front doors.

The best times to visit the Painted Ladies are mid-morning and at sunset. You’re less likely to bother residents if you visit during mid-morning, when many people are out for the day. Visitors should remember that these ladies face west, making sunset a great time to take pictures.

Does the TV show Full House ring a bell? The Painted Ladies appeared in that sitcom's opening credits, dozens of movies, and endless postcards. They're also a prime example of the Victorian homes built in San Francisco until the early 20th century—and repainted in candy colors in the 1960s.

It's hard to get a bad shot of the Painted Ladies, no matter where on Steiner Street you happen to be standing. To snap the best photos, stand atop the staircase entrance to Alamo Square in front of Grove Street or farther up the park path towards Hayes Street.

Yes, people live inside the Painted Ladies. These colorful townhouses may be a tourist attraction, but they are also private homes and not open to the public except on rare exclusive tours. Avoid posing for photos on the front steps or near the front doors, as doing so could disturb residents.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Painted Ladies. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in San Francisco:

• Alcatraz

• Golden Gate Bridge

• San Francisco Bay

• Golden Gate Park

• Bay Bridge

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in San Francisco.