KILLED - The Painted Ladies: Alamo Square’s 'Full House' Painted Ladies with Exclusive Private Home Tour

Highlights

  • Take the only tour in San Francisco that goes inside a privately owned Victorian mansion - built in 1865 - to explore its interiors from top to bottom

  • Enjoy a fully guided, intimate tour of the lovingly restored, era-perfect home, before slipping downstairs to the saloon of self-playing instruments

  • Explore San Francisco's most beautiful streets, stopping at leafy Lafayette Park and the famous 'Spreckels' Mansion - with insights from a local guide

  • Visit Alamo Square - home to the proud 'Painted Ladies' on the pretty Postcard Row

Summary

A truly special and intimate experience, this tour of San Francisco’s unique and defining architecture takes you inside one of its most inspiring private homes. Explore this ‘secret’ house from top to bottom with its caretaker - learning about its vivacious owner and his sprawling collection of Victoriana - on a journey that will no doubt be a highlight of your visit to the city.

Tour info

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
20
Pricing (From)
39.00: (15-99 years)
$39.00
34.00: (2-14 years)
$34.00
0.00: (0-1 years)
$0.00
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

2000 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109, US

Dropoff location

Alamo Square, San Francisco, CA, 94117, US

Why take this tour?

Whether you’ve a passion for Victorian architecture, or simply wish to explore an authentic aspect of San Francisco’s eclectic character, our Victorian Houses tour will leave you with a wholly different perspective on life inside some of the city’s prettiest properties.

Our journey begins in the leafy Lafayette Park, where we’ll discuss the foundations of some of San Francisco’s most prestigious residences and the people who made them their homes. Strolling by some of the area’s most beautiful facades, we’ll explore just what went into designing and building the city’s most striking streets, and hear how they’re regarded by locals today.

Stopping at the magnificent 55-room Spreckels Mansion in Pacific Heights (now home to novelist Danielle Steele), we’ll share secrets and stories - including the true tale behind that Arthur Conan Doyle residence - plus we’ll discuss what life is like in the beautiful houses on Cottage Row - a ‘hidden’ street lined with homes built in the 1800s.

In a true picture-perfect moment, we’ll stop at Alamo Square to survey the famously pretty ‘Painted Ladies of Postcard Row’, which for many act as an emblem of San Francisco. Of course we’ll take time to snap a photo or two with the backdrop of the colorful homes, plus stop by the home that featured in the credits of popular sitcom ‘Full House’.

Now for the highlight of our tour: special access to a privately-owned Victorian mansion. Truly a time to savor, our small group will step inside this special setting for an intimate tour with a difference. Guided by the home's conscientious caretaker, we’ll explore this time capsule from top to bottom, taking in its impressive collection of Victorian trinkets and curiosities - before making our way downstairs to the saloon for a musical experience like no other.

This tour leaves you with a piece of San Francisco you didn’t know you craved: the true heart of the city in one of its most unique characters and an experience that will stay with you long after your vacation has come to an end.

Sites Visited
Alamo Square Historic District
Private Victorian Home (Interior)
Spreckels Mansion
Lafayette Park
Cottage Row
Painted Ladies of Postcard Row (Steiner Street)

What’s included?

  • Local English-speaking guide

  • Expertly guided walking tour

  • Exclusive Access inside private Victorian home

  • Transportation (during tour) to Alamo Square

  • Gratuities

Things to know

Before you book

  • While we try to avoid extreme inclines and declines, due to San Francisco's hills, guests with mobility limitations, wheelchairs, or strollers cannot be accommodated.

  • Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to San Francisco government guidelines for the most up to date information

Before you go

  • This tour is conducted in English only.

  • This is a walking tour. While there are stops along the way, guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

  • While we try to avoid extreme inclines and declines, due to San Francisco's hills, guests with mobility limitations, wheelchairs, or strollers cannot be accommodated.

  • The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the tour start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows after tour commencement or departure.

  • Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

  • Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to San Francisco government guidelines for the most up to date information

Covid Policy

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands

Cancellation Policy

    Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no-shows are non-refundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive or arrives after tour departure.

Redemption information

    Mobile tickets will be accepted.


    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

About operator:

Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.

In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.

Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...

Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.