9 San Francisco Victorian Homes Featuring Beloved Historic Details
San Francisco’s Victorian homes are treasured landmarks that showcase stunning architectural craftsmanship from the late 1800s.
These colorful houses, with their ornate details and distinctive silhouettes, tell stories of the city’s rich past. Walking through neighborhoods like Pacific Heights or Alamo Square feels like stepping back in time to San Francisco’s golden era.
1. The Painted Ladies – Alamo Square
Standing proudly against the downtown skyline, these pastel-colored Queen Anne beauties have become San Francisco’s postcard stars. Built between 1892 and 1896, they survived the devastating 1906 earthquake.
Each house displays intricate wooden trim, decorative brackets, and spindle work that craftsmen painstakingly created by hand. Their carefully restored facades showcase the period’s most beloved architectural elements.
2. William Westerfeld House – Alamo Square
Nicknamed the “Witch’s Hat” by locals, this 1889 mansion stands four stories tall with its distinctive pointed turret commanding attention. Russian nobility once danced in its grand ballroom before the property later became a nexus for 1960s counterculture.
Elaborate spindles, brackets, and bay windows showcase the Stick-Eastlake style at its finest. The dark exterior gives this architectural gem a mysterious aura compared to its more colorful Victorian neighbors.
3. Haas-Lilienthal House – Pacific Heights
A rare survivor that escaped both the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires, this Queen Anne Victorian serves as a living museum today. The original redwood paneling remains untouched since 1886, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into Victorian family life.
Hand-carved newel posts adorn the grand staircase while stained glass filters colorful light throughout the interior. The octagonal corner tower and decorative shingles make this home instantly recognizable.
4. Abner Phelps House – Western Addition
Legend claims this Gothic Revival cottage was shipped around Cape Horn from New England in 1850, making it possibly the oldest surviving house in San Francisco. Its asymmetrical design features charming dormers and a steep pitched roof unlike most city Victorians.
White picket fencing surrounds the property, enhancing its storybook appearance. Though modest compared to grander Victorians, its historical significance and rustic charm make it an architectural treasure.
5. Octagon House – Cow Hollow
Revolutionary for its time, this eight-sided home was built following Orson Fowler’s belief that octagonal living was healthier and more efficient. Sunlight floods the interior from multiple directions, a feature that was truly progressive in 1861.
Restored by the National Society of Colonial Dames, the Federal-style details include a graceful central staircase and period furniture. The unusual geometry creates surprisingly spacious rooms with excellent ventilation, practical Victorian innovation at its best.
6. Full House House – Lower Pacific Heights
Made famous by the beloved 90s sitcom, this Italianate Victorian actually sits miles from where the show placed it. Built in 1883, its architectural integrity remains intact despite its pop culture fame.
The elegant bay windows and dentil moldings exemplify classic Victorian craftsmanship. Fans still make pilgrimages to see the exterior, though the iconic red door from the show has since been repainted to discourage excessive tourism.
7. Mrs. Doubtfire House – Pacific Heights
Cinema immortalized this stately 1893 Victorian when Robin Williams transformed into the beloved nanny character. The four-bedroom home features quintessential San Francisco architecture with its prominent bay windows and detailed trim work.
After Williams’ passing, the house became an impromptu memorial site. Ornate brackets support the overhanging eaves while decorative balustrades add refined elegance to the exterior. Its perfect proportions exemplify why San Francisco’s Victorians remain architectural icons.
8. Party Of Five House – Pacific Heights
Before becoming famous as the Salinger family home in the 90s drama, this magnificent 1880s mansion had already graced Pacific Heights for a century. The sprawling Queen Anne Victorian boasts a dramatic corner turret and wraparound porch.
Intricate fretwork adorns the exterior while tall windows capture sweeping bay views. The grand scale of this home reflects the prosperity of San Francisco’s post-Gold Rush era when successful merchants built impressive residences to showcase their wealth.
9. Atherton House – Pacific Heights
Whispers of ghostly encounters add mystique to this magnificent 1881 Queen Anne mansion built for Dominga Atherton. Extraordinary craftsmanship appears in every corner, from hand-carved rosettes to leaded glass windows that cast rainbow patterns across original hardwood floors.
The asymmetrical façade features a prominent tower and multiple gables typical of high-style Victorian architecture. Local lore claims Dominga’s spirit still roams the halls, perhaps admiring the painstaking restoration work that preserved her beloved home.
