Bay Area Adventures: The Painted Ladies

As anyone who has been recently unemployed can attest, mid-day reruns of the deliciously cheesy 90's time capsule that is Full House are the bomb.  When I first moved up to the Bay Area and was job hunting, I especially loved that the opening credits (complete with fantastic 90's fashion and hair styles) showcased my new surroundings.  

Along with panoramic shots of the Golden Gate Bridge and trolley cars, the opening credits also show the family tucking in for a lovely picnic in front of their amazingly picturesque San Francisco home.  That row of houses so prominently featured is known collectively as "The Painted Ladies" and, though they could serve as San Francisco's Cultural Museum, are actually private residences.  While in San Francisco a while ago, I made it a point to take a walk and see these Painted Ladies.

The Ladies are located adjacent to Alamo Square Park, and the whole area looks basically the same as it did in the mid-90s Full House montage.  Except, in 2013 there were more Asian girls taking selfies, and less families in bright colors enjoying picnics. 

We took a quick walk through Alamo Square (it was a really lovely day) and then around the block to see some other, just as impressive, houses in the neighborhood.  It was a nice 30-minute adventure, and mostly served as a real-life introduction for me to some of the beautiful home architecture San Francisco has to offer.

Full House Season 5 opening credits, circa 1992

I appreciate that the owners have kept the houses the same colors throughout the years