Fascinating house with plenty of history in the roots of San Diego and the creation of Balboa Park. The tour guides are very knowledgeable about the house and the area and the rooms are beautifully setup. Touring the grounds can be done individually and is well worth it on a sunny day.

The Marston House is a spectacular, walkable house, Museum and Garden. I invite you to pack a picnic lunch and just roam the grounds. Early morning and evenings are when the local critters are active.

Must get tickets for a guided tour to go inside. Tours are about an hour long and the docent does a great job of describing the history and architecture.

Even as a native San Diegan, I only just recently discovered this architectural gem on the edge of Balboa Park. This stretch of 7th St is gorgeous and dominated almost exclusively by beautiful homes designed by Irving Gil in the early part of the 1900s. Gil was a Quaker and appropriately reminds me of a less decorative Frank Lloyd Wright. The docent did an amazing job pouring out Gil’s unique details throughout the tour of the house’s first and second floors and I learned a lot about his style. The tour is also provided a wealth of information about the Marston family - who you learn was influential in the growth and development (and preservation) of San Diego from starting the turn of the century. This family besides being endlessly generous to the community was remarkably ahead of their time socially. All around, the tour of the Marston house was a great and engaging learning experience that I would highly recommend to every resident of San Diego with any interest in history or just pretty old houses. I was able to visit on a weekday for a 3pm house tour and was the only guest so i lucked out and got a personal tour. The lady staffing the gift shop is incredibly nice and also full of interesting facts as well!

I absolutely loved it! I love history in general, but to have a price guided tour and learn first hand about the Marstons, was simply amazing.The other amazing thing is the family itself, I had no idea the impact they had on san diego! Our docent was fantastic and new the answers to my many detailed questions.I would say the only disappointing part is we didnt get to see the basement or attic, but I understand why and it was still a 5 star experience for sure!

I have been selling Real Estate in San Diego for 3 decades. I would go to this Lively Irving Guild home. Today I decided to give back and be an upstairs docent. The Marston Family is a very Philanthropic family. They were always creating in doing for other people. A great story something that you should go and listen to and learn about.

We came here on a whim because we didnt feel like leaving San Diego yet to go back to the OC.Parking was a bit difficult, since there was Earth Day fair going on at Balboa Park next door but we eventually found one close by :)We didnt do the indoor tour and had fun walking around the gardens and grounds instead as there were really cool picture spots that totally reminded me of Secret Garden.Theres also some hidden paths too that take you parallel to the freeway.All in all, a nice spot for photography :D

This is a small hidden gem not to be missed, i enjoy how relaxing it is walking around this house and garden. Gives you the feel of that place of when it was built and gives you its San Diego history and why its stand till today. Its not free but a few bucks. Tickets are sold at the small hidden gift shop. Please support places like this to keep these places open for years to come and many to enjoy.

This house and its surrounding property are marvelous. Its a great place to see some unique flora and fauna. Its tucked away at Balboa Park.

Beautiful example of early 20th century arts & crafts architecture, shown by a highly informed tour guide. A low-key, quiet, uncrowded attraction that isnt for everyone, but we enjoyed it very much.

Well maintained historical site in San Diego. Really informative tours.

Beautiful home museum with very knowledgeable tour guides. They have different tours available. My wife and I find architectural history interesting so we took the architectural tour which runs about 90 minutes. Jennifer was our tour guide and did an outstanding job.

Wonderful part of San Diego history that more people should see. We took the 90 minute architectural tour from Jennifer and she was a great host. Tons of interesting info about the local architect who designed and built the house in 1905 for the Marston family, and about the architecture of the house and of the period. Highly recommended.

Amazing architectural tour. Jennifer does a wonderful tour.

Great tour guide, very knowledgeable.

I love this place. I do not go inside as much as Id like. I walk the grounds mostly. Its a beautiful place. Beautiful grounds. I like to think of the original owners and how they would walk their grounds and how it was, before the freeway, before homeless. Dont ever walk alone, some of the path/trails lead away to more secluded places and due to the over run of homelessness, it is not smart to venture off without the company of friends, dogs, others.

Total hidden gem in Balboa park. Great for painting, meditation or whatever.

Historically interesting tour. The property is beautiful. The details about the life of an early San Diego business person showed him to be an innovative and progessive citizen

Must not be missed while exploring San Diego. The essence of our history begins at Marston house.

We learned a lot about San Diego history from the perspective of a founding father, a philanthropist who contributed so much to the common good 100 years ago. A memorable experience for residents and tourists alike.

Best spot to talk a dog walk, I havent been in the museum, but I have walked the gardens with my dog Rebel almost daily. Beautiful hidden Balboa park gem.

Excellent walk and a lot beautifull houses around that your eyes can enjoy.

We were fortunate enough to have a gentleman who had lived in the house as our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about preservation. This added an extra level to our visit. As said elsewhere, the gift shop and personnel were also a treat.

5 stars for the house, gorgeous Craftsman style home. Beautiful woodwork and lovely room layout. 1 star for our guide, who was confusing and even quite rude. House is beautiful though, do visit and hope for a better guide. Woman in the gift shop was very pleasant.

Beautiful historical house. Wonderfully kept by SOHO.

I didnt get the tour, but I walked around the grounds. Beautiful, large lot in the middle of a highly urban area.

A great place. A great tour. A great legacy of a philanthropic family!

Wonderfully restored Arts and Crafts style home.

Its a lovely Arts and Craft home a must see

Had a very interesting tour in a cool old mansion. Probably not exciting for kids but if you enjoy 1900 s home and seeing how the other half lives stroll on over . $15 but check first to see if they are open..

Great example of a Craftsman house. The tour guide gave an enlightening account of the family who were remarkable, inspiring people.

HISTORIC HOUSE ! My wife and I were riding our bicycles in the area and decided to take a close look at this large historic house. The residence sits on an elevated site with excellent views particularly from the rear. Built in 1905 it was home to the wealthy Marston family of San Diego for many years. A guided tour is available which could be quite fascinating. Its a very interesting looking house.

Pls come check this place out if you are into history or architecture. Amazing, not included in the explorer annual pass though, still need to pay 15pp.

Great information and interesting house

Very beautiful old mansion

Very interesting and informative. Loved learning more of the history of San Diego. The Marston Family contributed a lot to the growth of our great duty.

Dont miss this beautiful home of George Marston and his family. Lovingly taken care of by San Diegos premier preservation organization, Save Our Heritage Organisation, this is a not to be missed visit while youre in Balboa Park. Dont miss the gift shop located in the old carriage house. Nice souvenirs and gifts. Not the usual tacky stuff.

Its fun to see San Diegos history, and to hear all the stories.

Very good I like

I love this place. If you just went for the house alone, its an amazing piece of architecture on its own, but combine that with the fact that it was owned by the man who made san diego what it is today and the history it flat out incredible. The old photos, the views from it. It really is a unique piece of San diego history. Balboa park was the houses actual backyard.

A beautful house and trip back in time. The atmosphere is beautiful and peaceful.

If you like architecture, you better go see this beautiful house and garden. The tour was informative and not too expensive. Go see it.

Interesting history & architecture. Excellent docent. Gardens need some TLC.

Beautiful woodwork and interesting history. Our particular guide didnt have all the facts or details memorized and rambled. We felt we missed some information. It gives a look into a time gone by.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in vintage architecture or historical San Diego sites. This is one of those off-the-beaten path hidden gems of San Diego. Even the houses in the neighborhood are amazing to see (albeit they are not open the public) The tour is very informative, photos are welcome and the grounds are immaculately kept.

I tried to tour Marston House yesterday (Monday, July 31) during their supposed hours of operation and found it to be closed. Then I found out on my phone it was closed for renovation. I was not told this at the Balboa Park visitors center. Nor was there any notice on the door. What a waste of time. I was most disappointed and peeved. I probably will not bother to stop back if I am in San Diego in the future. - Kaye Judt

Excellent place with highly qualified guidance

10/7/14We recently stayed with a friend in San Diego who lives across the street from this home at Balboa Park. We walked past it several times as we walked her dogs and I really wanted to check it out.Unfortunately, the day we made it over to look around was the day we were leaving and had limited time. We were told the tours are guided and take 45 minutes. Declining the tour, we opted to walk around the pretty gardens instead.Before leaving the property we visited the gift shop. The woman working was very familiar with the famous homes near our house (Galindo House, John Muirs home, and the Bancroft Gardens). They had really great gifts in here, including unique vintage games, jewelry, and books.Well definitely take the tour next visit, but I was glad we were welcome to walk around and see a little of the property on our own this trip.

Beautiful place in our lovely city .

Great tour, Great house, friendly people. The house has many innovative features. Must See.

House tour worth every penny! Really gives you an appreciation for Irving Gills amazing craftsmanship and George Marstons civic heroics.

If youre a San Diegan, or a regular visitor, youd like to visit some of the local historical museums, such as this early 20th Century home.

Very interesting San Diego history!

I love the history here and the docents are so nice.

5 Star house, great place.

Get ya food here if cv you leave here hungry then you didnt eat

A hidden gem on the edge of Balboa Park. 1905 house of the San Diego Marston family that owned a Dept store here in San Diego. Guided tour is 45 minutes and costs $15 with various discounts available.

Great scenery

Amazing! Beautiful home!

Great tour

Good place

Beautiful craftsmanship!

Beautiful

Great

Beautiful Gardens

Stoning place

The gardens are open every day, all day, but the museum is open only during posted hours.

Wow