Review Of The Marston House Museum In San Diego California

[caption id="attachment_721" align="aligncenter" width="500"] George Marston House Museum In San Diego, CA[/caption]

It was a beautiful morning when we left our city of Hemet, California on our road trip to San Diego.  Still early in the morning the traffic was light due to the 4th of July parade and events scheduled for later in the day and evening.  The weather was cool and breezy with a lush view of palms and shrubs on both sides of the freeway in many areas.  We arrived early at our destination just outside Balboa to one of San Diego's most famous Historical areas where the Marston House Museum, one of California's finest examples of the Arts and Crafts Movement, is located.

The outside of the home isn't quite the typical look of the Art's and Crafts architecture, but once we entered, the style was clearly present with a simple elegance.  Our guide pointed out the rare Irving Gill furniture interspersed throughout the home which was a nice fit with the mission furniture in the first floor living area.

The property was designed and built by the Internationally famous architects William Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill in 1905 for George W. Marston and his wife, Anna Gunn Marston.  George Marston was a prominent civic leader in the areas of historic preservation, conservation and history, even though he was very low-key about his constant work and philanthropy.

I've included my photos of some of the property below.  It's beautiful with five acres of blooming flowers, lovely gardens surrounding the property and lush rolling lawns.  The house is 8,500 square-feet, 3 stories high.  However the 3rd story is not available for viewing.  Marston House became a house museum in 1987 after the Marston family gifted it to the City of San Diego for the enjoyment of the public.  The tall trees surrounding the property are pine, eucalyptus and oak.

 

My Recommendation:

I highly recommend a visit if you're in the Southern California area.  It's well worth the time and you'll thoroughly enjoy the 45 minute tour.  The guides are very knowledgeable and make the time spent an adventure. The tour is inexpensive. It's $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for 65 and older and students with ID, $4.00 for children and free for children 5 and under.

Parking: No designated parking. Drop off passengers at the carriage house, then find a spot on the street to park.
 
Visiting Hours: Hours Can Change, it's best to call. See below.
 
Walking: If you have problems walking, the layout of the grounds are easy to walk through. However, there are random steps because of different levels in the gardens. There is no ramp for wheelchairs into the home so call ahead about information on this. There are three levels within the house, but only two levels are shown on the tour. The stairs are wide and the steps short, making it easy to climb the stairs.


 

Views Of The Marston House Museum

[caption id="attachment_677" align="alignnone" width="196"] Marston House Back View[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_689" align="aligncenter" width="204"] Side Garden[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_690" align="aligncenter" width="197"] Front Of Property[/caption]

Call Marston House Museum For Information
3525 Seventh Avenue in Balboa Park
Phone (619) 297-9327