What is and is not a Victorian can be confusing even amongst San Franciscans. It is very simple, really. Queen Victoria was the longest reigning queen in history, from 1837 - 1901. Buildings built during this time period are Victorians, those that were not, are not. More confusion is found in thinking that Victorian is a style. It is NOT a style, however, a time period in which a few distinct styles occurred here in San Francisco.
Queen Victoria
These categories are local in nature, recognizing that these terms may refer to different styles in other parts of the country and world. Primarily redwood "boxes" with predictable floor plans and fanciful facades, there are basically three types of Victorians of note in the City: Italianate, Eastlake or San Francisco Stick & Queen Anne.
Eastlake or San Francisco Stick