SF Officials Ban Tour Buses from Alamo Square, Painted Ladies
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Board of Directors voted 5-0 to ban tour buses from a 25-square-block area around and including Alamo Square Park.
The park is across the street from the colorful “Painted Ladies” houses, which is a major tourist draw because it provides panoramic views of downtown San Francisco. The classic set of Victorian homes is also featured in the opening credits to the hit classic television show “Full House” from the ’80s and ’90s.
Residents complained that buses frequently double-park, block driveways and even sideswipe parked cars, according to the Chronicle:
Neighbors, including one who posted a much-photographed sign: “Get off your big, fat tour bus and experience San Francisco,” overwhelmingly favored the ban. A preponderance of speakers at the MTA meeting, as well as at earlier hearings on the issue, called on the board to approve the ban, proposed by the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association.
“This is unsafe,” said Kelly Edwards, a resident of the big, brown Westerfeld House at the corner of Fulton and Scott streets and creator of the sign. “In peak season, there are over 50 buses a day.”
Starting in 30 days tourists will have to experience Alamo Square the same way most residents do—on foot.
