1709 Broderick Street: Why This San Francisco House Still Draws Massive Crowds

1709 Broderick Street: Why This San Francisco House Still Draws Massive Crowds

You’ve seen it. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in Northern California, you’ve definitely seen the cream-colored Victorian at 1709 Broderick Street in San Francisco CA. It sits there in Lower Pacific Heights, looking remarkably normal for a building that has launched a thousand pilgrimages.

It’s the Full House house.

But here is the thing about 1709 Broderick Street—the reality of the property is way more complicated than the upbeat theme song makes it out to be. While Danny Tanner and Uncle Jesse were supposedly raising three girls inside those walls, the actual interior of the home looks nothing like the soundstage where the show was filmed. Most people show up expecting a red door and a specific layout, only to find a sophisticated, multimillion-dollar piece of San Francisco real estate that has undergone some pretty dramatic transformations over the last few decades.

People still flock here. Every single day. Even in 2026, the sidewalk in front of this private residence is one of the most photographed spots in the city. It’s kind of wild when you think about it.


The Weird History of the Red Door

Let’s talk about that door. For years, fans were disappointed to find a dark, moody green or a neutral wood tone where the bright red "Tanner" door should have been. The homeowners who lived there during the 90s and early 2000s weren't exactly thrilled with the constant attention. Imagine trying to get your groceries inside while twenty tourists are doing the "everywhere you look" pose on your front let.

In 2016, something changed. Jeff Franklin, the creator of Full House, actually bought the house. He paid about $4 million for it. His plan was pretty bold: he wanted to renovate it to look exactly like the show version, potentially even using it for filming Fuller House or letting fans inside. He even painted the door red again.

The neighbors hated it.

San Francisco’s planning department and the local residents are notoriously protective of the "vibe" of their neighborhoods. A "shrine" to a 90s sitcom wasn't exactly what they had in mind for Broderick Street. Eventually, Franklin sold the property in 2020 for roughly $5.35 million. The new owners? They went the opposite direction. They stripped away the "sitcom" look, repainted the exterior a sophisticated navy/dark grey, and replaced the red door with a very classy, very "don't look at me" black door.

What's actually inside?

If you were to walk through the front door today, you wouldn't find a kitchen with a blue checkered floor or a basement apartment where a rockstar lives.

The house is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, originally built in 1883 by Charles Hinkel Lewis. It’s huge. We're talking nearly 4,000 square feet. It has four bedrooms and about four bathrooms. Because it’s been through high-end renovations, the interior is now a blend of ultra-modern luxury and classic San Francisco bones. Think marble countertops, Viking appliances, and a master suite that looks like a five-star hotel.

There is a small garden in the back—a rarity for SF—that is manicured to perfection. It’s a far cry from the cluttered, chaotic energy of the Tanner household. It’s a quiet, expensive, and deeply private sanctuary.


Why Lower Pacific Heights Matters

Location is everything in this city. 1709 Broderick Street in San Francisco CA sits in Lower Pac Heights, which is sort of the bridge between the grit of the Fillmore District and the extreme wealth of Pacific Heights proper.

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It’s walkable. You can head a few blocks over to Fillmore Street and grab a $7 latte at Jane the Bakery or do some high-end shopping. But because it’s a residential street, it’s supposed to be quiet. That’s where the tension comes from. The conflict between a quiet neighborhood and a global cultural landmark is palpable.

  1. The Traffic Issue: The street is narrow. When tour buses or Ubers double-park so people can jump out for a selfie, it creates a massive headache for locals.
  2. The Privacy Factor: The current owners have gone to great lengths to obscure the view into the home.
  3. The Property Value: Despite the "nuisance" of the fans, the house continues to appreciate. In San Francisco, fame adds a premium, even if it comes with crowds.

Honestly, the house is a victim of its own success. It represents a version of San Francisco that doesn't really exist anymore—the "middle-class" family living in a massive Victorian. Today, you’d need to be a tech executive or a venture capitalist to afford the mortgage on 1709 Broderick.


Common Misconceptions About 1709 Broderick Street

Most people think the show was filmed inside. It wasn't. Only the exterior "establishing shots" were filmed on Broderick Street. The rest was all Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.

Another big mistake? People get it confused with the "Painted Ladies" at Alamo Square. You know the ones—the row of colorful houses with the skyline in the background. While the Tanners are seen having a picnic in front of those houses during the opening credits, they didn't live there. They lived about a mile away on Broderick.

The "Fuller House" Era

When the reboot happened on Netflix, interest in the house spiked all over again. A new generation of kids started showing up with their parents. For a while, there was a rumor that the house would be turned into a museum.

That never happened.

The city essentially blocked any commercial use of the property. It remains a single-family residence. If you visit today, you’ll notice there aren't any plaques or signs. If you didn't know the address, you might walk right past it. But you won't, because there will likely be a group of people standing on the opposite sidewalk with their phones out.


The Architecture You’re Probably Ignoring

Because everyone focuses on the TV show, the actual architectural significance of the building gets buried. This is a classic "Italianate" Victorian.

Notice the tall, narrow windows. Look at the decorative brackets under the eaves. These were features meant to show off wealth and craftsmanship in the late 19th century. The house survived the 1906 earthquake, which is a feat in itself. Most of the city burned down, but this pocket of the Western Addition was largely spared.

When you look at the facade, you’re looking at over 140 years of history. It’s more than a backdrop for a sitcom; it’s a survivor of the "Old San Francisco" that existed before the tech booms and the high-rises.


Respectful Visiting: How Not to Be "That" Tourist

If you’re going to make the trek to 1709 Broderick Street in San Francisco CA, there’s a right way to do it. The neighbors are tired. They’ve been tired since 1987.

  • Stay off the stairs. This is the big one. Do not walk up to the front door for a photo. It’s trespassing, and the owners have cameras.
  • Keep it quiet. It’s a residential street, not a theme park. Screaming the lyrics to the theme song at 10:00 AM isn't as cute as you think it is.
  • Don't block driveways. Parking is a nightmare in SF. If you’re driving, park a few blocks away and walk.
  • Be quick. Take your photo and move on.

Why we are still obsessed

There is something nostalgic about physical locations from our favorite stories. We want to see the place where the "magic" happened, even if we know the magic was just a bunch of lights and cameras on a stage 400 miles away. 1709 Broderick Street represents comfort. It represents a time when TV families solved every problem in 22 minutes.

In a city that is changing as fast as San Francisco, this house is a weirdly constant landmark. The paint color might change, and the owners might swap out, but the silhouette remains the same.


Actionable Steps for Your Visit

If you are planning a trip to see the house, don't just see the house. Make a day of it in a way that actually supports the local economy.

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First, grab breakfast at b.patisserie. It’s only a few blocks away on California Street. Their Kouign-amann is world-famous for a reason. Seriously, get two.

Second, walk the neighborhood. Look at the other Victorians. Some of them are even more ornate than the Full House house, they just didn't have a talent agent.

Third, head to Alamo Square afterward. This is where you can get that iconic shot of the Painted Ladies and the city skyline. It completes the "Full House" experience and gives you a place to actually sit down and have a picnic, unlike the sidewalk on Broderick Street.

Finally, check the lighting. If you want the best photo of 1709 Broderick, go in the mid-morning. The sun hits the front of the house beautifully before it moves behind the building in the afternoon, leaving the facade in shadow.

The house at 1709 Broderick Street is a private home first and a landmark second. Treat it with that level of nuance, and you’ll have a much better experience. It’s a piece of pop culture history that you can touch—just don't touch the doorbell.