Save Our Heritage Organisation

---

Visit the Marston House
Museum & Gardens

The Marston House Museum is one of California's finest examples of the Arts and Crafts movement and was constructed in 1905 for George W. Marston and his wife, Anna Gunn Marston. George Marston is noted for many things but most prominently as a civic leader whose interest and work in historic preservation, conservation and history is renowned.

The property was designed and built by the internationally renowned architects William Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill. Surrounded by five acres of rolling lawns, manicured formal gardens, and rustic canyon gardens, this 8,500 square-foot home became a house museum in 1987 after the Marston family gifted it to the City of San Diego for the enjoyment of the public.

Spend some time exploring the grounds, formal gardens and canyon pathways in the shade of towering pine, eucalyptus and oak trees. Learn about one of San Diego's most prominent families and the master architects and renowned landscape designers who worked with the family to create one of the region's most important estates.

Rare Irving Gill furniture on display (Ongoing)

Visit the Marston House Museum
3525 Seventh Avenue in Balboa Park
Phone (619) 297-9327
Directions & Parking

Summer Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Open five days a week · Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm
Tours start every half hour and are 40-45 minutes in length.
Please note: The last tour of the day begins at 4:30pm.

Winter Hours (Day after Labor Day through day before Memorial Day)
Open · Friday-Monday 10am-5pm
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Tours start every half hour and are 40-45 minutes in length.
Please note: The last tour of the day begins at 4:30pm.

General Admission for House Tours only
$10 Adults
$7 Seniors (65 & older) & Students (with ID)
$4 Children (ages 6-12)
Free for children 5 & under
Save Our Heritage Organisation Members receive unlimited free admission

Additional Museum Site Tours
Marston House Garden Tour
- Saturdays & Sundays, 11am · 1pm · 3pm
The garden tour takes you on a walk through the 5-acre estate beginning with the first plantings and landscape plan in 1905 to the 1928 introduction of a formal garden. You will also learn about the grand restoration plans for one of the few remaining arts and crafts canyon landscapes in southern California.

Historic Seventh Avenue
- Saturdays & Sundays, 12 noon · 2pm · 4pm
Nestled into Balboa Park's northwest corner, the 3500 block of Seventh Avenue is one of San Diego's great neighborhoods. Learn about the architecture, the families who lived in and built the homes, and the connection of all the homes to the fabled Marston family. Such notable architects as Irving J. Gill, William S. Hebbard, Frank Mead, and Richard Requa have a stunning presence on Seventh Avenue built for San Diego's leading citizens.

All three tours are $10 each or can be combined for substantial discounts
$15 to tour the Marston House Museum & your choice of one additional tour
$20 to enjoy all three tours

Historic Bankers Hill
- Third Sunday of the month, 10:30am · 90 minutes
$20
This walking tour of Bankers Hill will observe various architectural styles, including Craftsman, classic Gill Modernism, Spanish Revival, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Prairie, and more in one of San Diego's most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

Bankers Hill was first developed in the late Victorian period and, as it grew into the 20th century some of San Diego's first families and community leaders chose to live here. Because of this influx of wealth coinciding with a flourish of master architects working in San Diego at that time, today we have significant works by Irving Gill, William S. Hebbard, Frank Mead, Richard Requa, Emmor Brooke Weaver, Hazel Wood Waterman, the Quayle Brothers, William Templeton Johnson, and many lesser known, but talented builders, as well as landscape design by horticulturalists such as the renowned Kate Sessions.

Are you interested in Volunteering at the Marston House?

Adult, Senior & Group Tours
Looking for unique local tour opportunities for your group? Reserve an exclusive visit to one or more of our museums.

SOHO offers a choice of self-guided and docent-led tours designed for schools, adult, and senior citizen groups. The tour package may include a visit to one or more of our historic site museums, and programs can be designed to meet your group's needs. Our docents can also travel to your facility or meeting place to offer programs for your organization or club. Details

School Group Tours
We have exceptional field trip possibilities for students that are both fun and educational. Details

Weddings & Private Events at the Marston House
The historic beauty of the Marston House Museum and Gardens in Balboa Park offers a lovely setting for weddings, corporate functions and other special events. The lush manicured gardens and towering trees make this historical monument a perfect setting for a garden wedding or special event.

The picturesque gardens accommodate up to 150 guests for a wedding ceremony. Featuring formal and rustic gardens, teahouse, fountain backdrop and beautiful historic landscaping have made this the wedding site choice for generations of San Diegans.

Are you interested in having your wedding in the gardens at the Marston House? FAQ's

Email Weddings@SOHOsandiego.org

Marston House Museum Shop - Now open

Directions & Parking
The Marston House is located at 3525 Seventh Avenue in an early twentieth century historic district. There is no parking on this residential street. For your convenience there are several choices for parking. Utilize the ample free parking all along Balboa Drive, Sixth Avenue, Upas and Thorn Streets. You may also park in the Inspiration Point parking lot (east side of Park Blvd. at Presidents Way), and take the free tram, which will shuttle visitors every 15-20 minutes (30-40 on busy days) from Inspiration Point Tram Central to the edge of the estate where it's a short walk to the front of the Marston House Museum Shop at the carriage house to purchase admission tickets. Parking for disabled or elderly: Friends or family should deliver disabled or elderly guests to the front of the Carriage House and assist them in their arrival. Vehicles should then be immediately moved to the parking areas noted on the Parking Map.

Public bathrooms are located in the parking area near the playground on Balboa Drive at Thorn Street, indicated on the parking map with an orange circle. The permanent facilities at the Marston House are limited.

The area is accessed from Upas Street via 6th Avenue. From Interstate 8, take 163 South to the University Street Exit, which will put you on 6th Avenue. There is ample parking nearby (MAP).

Marston House In the News

---

Join Our Email List

Email:

SOHO Home

email: SOHOSanDiego@aol.com

Copyright © 2000 , Save Our Heritage Organisation. Copyright Warning