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Marston Gardens: Beauty, History, Healing
March/April 2025
 Roses in all their splendor in the Marston House formal garden. Photo by Dean Glass |
Gardens have always been thought of as sanctuaries of peace, beauty, and renewal, offering a powerful antidote to the stresses of daily life. At the Marston House Museum Gardens, this timeless link between nature and well-being comes to life in an emerald realm that invites visitors to explore, muse, and find their own sense of calm.
Designed to complement the home’s style, the gardens are a carefully curated blend of natural beauty and thoughtful landscaping. As you walk along pathways, enjoy seasonal blooms, or sit quietly, it’s easy to feel the restorative power of nature.
As garden designer Lottie Delamain writes in a recent article for House & Garden magazine (UK version), “Gardens have long been linked to good health and quiet reflection,” with their benefits rooted in ancient traditions. From Persian pleasure gardens to medieval hospital cloisters, green spaces have historically been places of healing contemplation and connection to the rhythms of nature. Today, this relationship is more vital than ever. Studies show that even brief interactions with gardens—whether by walking through them or simply viewing them—can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and promote feelings of happiness.
Gardening and time spent outdoors have been shown to lower blood pressure, induce calm, and, among gardeners, even foster a sense of accomplishment and mastery. As Delamain notes, “You don’t even need to physically engage with gardens for them to have a profound impact on your health.” Simply being surrounded by greenery or gazing at the interplay of light and shadow among the trees can have transformative effects on mental well-being.
We are delighted to announce that SOHO’s monthly guided tours of the Marston House Museum Gardens are back on Sunday afternoons, from March 16 through October 19, 2025. We invite you to visit and experience this haven of history, beauty, and healing. Time spent in a garden always offers an escape—from the strains of life, the bustle of city living, or moments of personal challenge. In the Marston gardens, you’ll discover not only a deep connection to a remarkable, nurturing San Diego family, but also a renewed sense of peace and vitality that lingers long after your visit.
SOHO’s 45-minute tour takes you on a journey through the estate’s historic plantings, offering insight into our first steps towards restoring one of San Diego’s most intact historic gardens. Designed to complement the Arts and Crafts home’s style, the gardens are a carefully curated blend of natural beauty and thoughtful landscaping. As you stroll the property’s two-and-a-half acres, you’ll discover the evolving landscape, from its earliest rustic ramble dipping into Cabrillo Canyon to the elegant formal garden introduced in 1928.
Perfect for those seeking the restorative power of nature, this tour provides a chance to relax, breathe in the fresh air, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of nature.
So, put on your walking shoes and join us for guided enchantment through history, beauty, and renewal. Tickets by date are available for purchase online. Please note: Parts of the tour are not wheelchair accessible.
And if you are a history and garden lover who would like to join our volunteer garden docent educators, we’d love to hear from you! Find details online.
Plan your visit today and let the Marston House Gardens inspire and uplift you. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you.
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