Historic House Museums in California

We try to keep this list of historic house museums for California current, but it is best to check directly with the museums for their hours and other information. If you know of a historic house museum in California that should be listed here, please use our submission form to let us know about it.

Auburn

Gold Country Museum & Bernhard Museum

Museum depicts the early mining days of Placer County and includes a Victorian House and outbuildings.

Open Tue - Sun from 11-4 • 1273 High St. • (916) 889-6500

Belmont

Ralston Hall

Located on the campus of the College of Notre Dame, this Italian Villa was built for William Ralston, founder of the Bank of California.

Open by appointment. • 1500 Ralston Ave. • (650) 508-350

Benicia

Fischer-Hanlon House

Located next to the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, this building was originally a gold rush era hotel, later remodeled into a residence.

House, Sat-Sun noon-3:30 p.m. Garden, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • First & G Streets • (707) 745-3385

Bodie

Bodie State Historic Park

One of the best ghost towns in the U.S., Bodie encompasses 495 acres of what was one of the toughest gold mining camps. There are 170 buildings in the park, in a state of arrested decay. Due to its elevation, the park is often inaccessible in the winter.

Open 9-7 Memorial Day-Labor Day, 9-4 rest of the year • State Route 270 • (760) 647-6445

Calabasas

Leonis Adobe Museum

L.A. Historic Cultural Monument # 1. Built in the Monterey style in the 1840's, it was occupied by Miguel Leonis as early as the 1870's, one of the most colorful, influential and prominent figures of early Los Angeles. Also on the grounds is an barn built in 1912 as well as the Plummer House known as the "oldest house in Hollywood".

Open Wed - Sun 1-4, Saturday 10-4 • 23537 Calabasas Road • (818) 222-6511

Camarillo

Historic Camarillo Ranch

The house was built in 1892 by 28-year-old Adolfo Camarillo for his wife Isabel and their young family. An imposing 17-room mansion, the home was well suited for a man who would serve as a Ventura County Supervisor, manage a 10,000-acre ranch, found a city, develop a breed of horses (the Camarillo White Horses), and one day be known as the "Last Spanish Don". Camarillo lived in the house until his death in 1958. It was then occupied by family members and for a brief period by Augustine monks until it was acquired by the City of Camarillo in 1998.

Open Wed & Sun 12-4, Sat 10-2 • 201 Camarillo Ranch Road • (805) 389-8182

Campbell

Ainsley House

The Ainsley House is the 1926 home of canning industry pioneer J.C. Ainsley, now a museum showcasing life in Santa Clara Valley during the 1920s and 30s. Visitors learn the history of Campbell in the Morgan Gallery which features exhibits and the Campbell Museum Foundation Store. The house formerly sat at the corner of Hamilton and Bascom Avenues.

Thursday - Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm • 300 Grant St. • (408) 866-2119

Carson

Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum

The Rancho San Pedro is the site of the First Spanish land grant in California. The land was granted in 1784 by King Carlos III to Juan Jose Dominguez, a retired Spanish soldier who came to California with the Portola expedition and later with Father Juniperro Serra. The original land grant encompassed 75,000 acres, including the entire Los Angeles harbor. The land has passed through successive generations and remains in the Dominguez family.

Tours Wed & Sun, 1-3 • 18127 Alameda Street • (310) 603-0088

Chico

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park

The home of city founder Gen. John Bidwell, this 26 room mansion was built in 1865-68. Exhibits include displays of vintage clothing.

Wed. - Fri.Ý 12 pm to 5 pm; Sat. &ÝSun.Ý10 am to 5 pmÝ • 525 The Esplanade • (530) 895-6144

Death Valley National Park

Scotty's Castle

Built in the 1920s as a vacation retreat, it contains many fine furnishings and art objects.

Open daily 9-5 (619) 786-2331

Earlimart

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

The park commemorates the only California town founded by blacks. The park includes features several restored 1900's buildings including Col. Allenworth's home.

Visitor center open daily 10-4, buildings open upon request • 8 miles west on SR 43 • (805) 849-3433

Encino

Los Encinos State Historic Park

Los Encinos State Historic Park, at the corner of Balboa and Ventura Blvd., in Encino California, was, until the late 19th Century, the hub of human habitation in the Southern San Fernando Valley.

Open Wed-Sun 10-5 • 16756 Moorpark St. • (818) 784-4849

Escondido

Escondido History Center

Located in a downtown park, the Escondido History Center features an 1890 home furnished to reflect turn of the century life, along with 1888 Santa Fe Depot, working blacksmith shop, city's first library (1895) and a 1901 barn.

Open Tue-Sat 1-4 • 321 N. Broadway • (760) 743-8207

Ferndale

Fern Cottage

Gold Rush pioneers Joseph and Zipporah built Fern Cottage as their family home in 1866. Family members lived in it continuously for over a century. Today, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the few homes in California containing the original family furniture and furnishings.

See their web site for hours • 2121 Centerville Road • (707) 786-4835

Fremont

Ardenwood Historic Farm

More than just an old house, Ardenwood is a living, working farm, showing the technology available from the 1870s to the 1920s. Even if you just visit to see the Patterson House, you will find your time well spent.

Open 10-4 Tue-Sun year round, and Labor Day and Memorial Day. • Ardenwood Blvd. • (510) 797-5621

Fresno

Kearney Mansion Museum

This French Renaissance style home was built for one of the county's agricultural pioneers. The home includes many original furnishings and wallcoverings.

Guided tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons; 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm • (559) 441-0862

Meux Home Museum

The Meux Home Museum recaptures the flavor of Victorian Fresno by presenting a middle-class residence -- furnished in the period, as a representative house museum.

Open 12:00 noon to 3:30 PM • 1007 R. Street • (559) 233-8007

Grass Valley

Empire Mine State Historic Park

In addition to the mining exhibits, the park includes the owner's cottage, which displays where some of the mine's wealth went. Beautiful landscaping around the house.

Jan to Apr10 am - 5 pm; May to Aug 9 am - 6 pm; Sep to Dec 10 am - 5 pm • 10791 E. Empire St. • (530) 273-8522

Hayward

McConaghy Home & Carriage House

The McConaghy Estate includes a 12-room farmhouse, tank house, and carriage house. The home is furnished in the style of 1886 -- the date it was built.

Open Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun; 1-4 • 18701 Hesperian Boulevard • (510) 276-3010

Lake Forest

Heritage Hill Historical Park

Four preserved and restored structures: 1863 Serrano Adobe, 1891 St. George's Episcopal Mission, 1890 El Toro Grammar School, and the 1908 Bennett Ranch House.

Open Wed-Sun 9-5 • 25151 Serrano Rd. • (949) 923-2230

Lake Tahoe Area

Tallac Historic Site

Three summer estates are open to the public.

Open Daily June 13- Sept. 17 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Grounds open dawn to dusk • SR 89, north of Camp Richardson • (530) 541-5227

Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

This 1902 Queen Anne summer home has upstairs exhibits on the early owners.

Guided tours daily on the hour 11-4 Jul 1-Labor Day • Located in Sugar Pine Point State Park • (530) 525-7982

Long Beach

Rancho Los Cerritos

Built in 1844, remodeled in 1930, and furnished in 1870s decor.

Open Wed-Sun 1-5 • 4600 Virginia Rd. • (562) 570-1755

Los Angeles

Grier Musser Museum

The Grier Musser Museum is a beautifully restored Victorian house. Throughout the year the museum features special holiday exihibits.

Heritage Sqaure Museum

A living history museum reflecting the settlement and development of Southern California from the Civil War to the early 20th Century, Heritage Square Museum offers visitors a look into the everyday lives of Southern Californians at the close of the 19th Century. From the simplicity of the Octagon House to the opulence of the Perry Mansion, the Museum provides a unique look at the lifestyles of the people who contributed so much to the development of modern Los Angeles and Southern California.

Open Fri-Sun, 12-5 • 3800 Homer Street • (323) 225-2700

Hollyhock House

One of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces.

Tours on the hour, Tue-Sun 12-3 • 4800 Hollywood Blvd. In Barnsdall Park • (323) 662-8139

Sepulveda House

Eloisa Martinez de Sepulveda built this 1887 Eastlake Victorian as a boarding house with shops and as her own residence.

Open Mon-Sat 10-3 • 622 N. Main St. • (213) 628-1274

Los Gatos

Villa Montalvo

1912 Mediterranean-style mansion was the summer home of U.S. Senator and San Francisco mayor James Phelan. The grounds feature a formal garden and trails to the surrounding hills.

Open Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat-Sun 9-5 • Montalvo Rd off of SR 9 • Saratoga (408) 741-3421

Malibu

Historic Adamson House

This 1920s residence features Moorish, Spanish, and Colonial influences with colorful tile, and handcrafted wood and iron work.

Guided tours offered Wed-Sat 11-2 • 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy • (310) 456-8432

Martinez

John Muir National Historic Site

The 1882 house is furnished as it was in the late 19th century when it was the home of John Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club.

Open Wed - Sun, 10 to 5 • 4202 Alhambra Ave. • (925) 228-8860

Marysville

Mary Aaron Museum

This 1856 restored Victorian houses a museum with changing exhibits.

704 D. St. • (916) 743-1004

Mendocino

The Ford House

Built by Jerome Ford in 1854. Jerome Ford was one of the early founders of the town of Mendocino. This home was one of the first three permanent residences in Mendocino. Great exhibits and photographs of the early redwood logging industry along the north coast of California.

Open Sun-Thu 11-4, Fri 11-5, Sat 10-5 • Main Street • (707) 937-5397

Kelly House Historical Museum

This 1861 restored house contains a genealogy and research library and museum.

Open daily 1-4 Jun-Sep, Fri-Mon 1-4 rest of year • 45007 Albion St • (707) 937-5791

Modesto

McHenry Mansion

Restored Victorian home furnished with period artwork and antiques.

Open Tue-Thur, Sun 1-4, Fri 12-3 • 15th and I Streets • (209) 577-5344

Monterey

Cooper-Molera Adobe

California life in the 1850s is depicted in this 3-acre complex by living history demonstration, farm animals and historic vegetable and flower gardens. The buildings reflect the period from 1823, when Monterey was the major city in California, to 1900, when it had waned to a small town.

Guided tours onÝWed at 2:30 p.m., and Fri, Sat, Sun and MonÝat 3 p.m. • 525 Polk Street •(831) 649-7111

Monterey State Historic Park

The park encompasses 7 acres and features houses and buildings from the 1820s to the late 1800s.

Park open daily 10-5 Memorial Day-Labor Day, 10-4 rest of the year • 20 Custom House Plaza • (831) 649-7118

Mountain View

Rengstorff House

Moved from its original site, this 1867 Italianate was built for Henry Rengstorff. The house is now situated in Shoreline, just north of the ampitheatre. The upstairs is not open to the public as it is used for offices, but the downstairs features several rooms that have been renovated and feature Bradbury & Bradbury wallpapers, as well as some nice examples of Eastlake and Renaissance Revival furniture.

Open Sun , Tue, and Wed 11am-5pm • 3070 N. Shoreline Blvd. • Mountain View (650) 903-6392

Oakhurst

Fresno Flats Historical Park

The park features a collection of late 19th century buildings.

Open Mon - Fri 10 to 3; Guided tours are available from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sat andÝSun • SR 41 & CR 426 on School Rd. • (559) 683-6570

Oakland

Camron-Stanford House

The only remaining Victorian on Lake Merritt, the 1875 Italianate stands as a grand reminder of what this exclusive neighborhood used to look like.

Tours 2nd and 3rd Wed, 11am and 4pm; 3rd Sun, between 1pm and 5pm • 1418 Lakeside Drive • (510) 444-1876

Cohen-Bray House

The Cohen-Bray house was built in 1884 as a wedding present to Emma Bray Cohen and her husband Alfred H. Cohen. Emma's parents bought them the land and house, and Alfred's parents bought them the furniture, which is still in the house to this day. Emma and Alfred had four children; the youngest one, Emelita, lived in the house for 90 years.

Open: 4th Sunday of every month, 2:00 p.m. • 1440 29th Avenue • (510) 532-0704

Dunsmir House and Gardens

This 37 room Colonial Revival mansion was built in 1899 and has been restored. The house sits on forty acres of hills and gardens.

Open Tue - Fri 10am to 4pm • 2960 Peralta Oaks Ct. • (510) 615-5555

Pardee Home Museum

This Italianate Villa has the original carriage house and tank house on the grounds.

Tours Wed, Fri, and Sat, from noon to 4pm, reservations are recommended. Group tours may be arranged at other hours. • 672 11th St. • (510) 444-2187

Oroville

Historic Lott Home

1856 Victorian furnished in period.

Open Sun-Tue, Fri 1-4 Feb-Dec • Montgomery St. between 3rd and 4th Aves • (530) 538-2415

Pasadena

The Gamble House

This house defines quality woodwork for the Arts & Crafts period. Filled with the original Greene & Greene furnishings, including a custom made piano, the house is a definite must see.

Guided 1 hour tours Thu‚Sun from 12pm‚3pm • 4 Westmoreland Place • (626) 793-3334

Pasadena Museum of History

Contained in the Fenyes Mansion, a 1905 Beaux Art style home, the museum features original furnishings, period pieces, artworks and antiques. Don't be deceived by the exterior, the interior, especially the entryway, is simply spectacular.

Tours Wed - Sun 1:30pm and 3pm • 470 W. Walnut Ave • (626) 577-1660

Palo Alto

Museum of American Heritage

Located in the historic Williams House and Gardens

Open Fri-Sun 11-4 • 351 Homer Avenue • (650) 321-1004

Porterville

Zalud House

Featuring its original furnishings, this 1891 Rococo style house is surrounded by the 1930s era garden.

Open Wed-Sat 10-4, Sun 2-4 • 393 Hocket St. at Morton Ave. • (559) 782-7548

Redlands

Kimberly Crest House and Gardens

Three story French chateau style home built in 1897, surrounded by formal Mediterranean gardens.

Open Thu-Sun 1-4, Sep-Jul • 1325 Prospect Dr. • (909) 792-2111

Redwood City

Lathrop House

After being relocated twice, this 1863 Gothic Revival house features a restored interior and exterior.

Open Tue-Thu 11am - 3pm • 627 Hamilton St. • (650) 365-5564

Riverside

Heritage House

Queen Anne style house.

Open Fri 12-3pm, Sat-Sun 12-3:30pm; Closed during Jul-Aug • 8193 Magnolia Ave. • (951)826-5273

California Citrus State Historic Park

The park pays tribute to the citrus industry and features a grove of orange trees. The visitor center is in a Victorian house.

Oct-Mar 8am - 5pm; Apr-Sep 8am - 7pm • Van Buren Blvd at Dufferin Ave. • (951) 780-6222

Sacramento

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park

Grand Italianate used as the governor's mansion until Ronald Reagan deemed it not to his standards. Furnished with items from the state's former governors.

Open daily 10-4 • 16th and H Streets • (916) 323-3047

Leland Stanford Mansion

The stately brick and plaster Renaissance Revival home at the corner of 8th and 'N' Streets in Sacramento has special historical and architectural significance for California.Ý In its early years, it served as the executive office of three governors: ÝLeland Stanford, Frederick Low and Henry Haight.ÝIt was also the site of California's first presidential visit by Rutherford B. Hayes and General William T. Sherman. It is the oldest house in Sacramento open to the public.

Call for Hours • 8th and N Streets • (916) 324-0575

San Diego

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

A six block area bounded by Wallace, Juan, Twiggs, and Congress streets contains many of San Diego's original buildings. Robinson-Rose House 4002 Wallace St. is the park's headquarters.

Open daily 10-5 • San Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street • (619) 220-5422

Whaley House

Built in 1856, this two story brick home has served as a residence, store, courthouse, and theater. It contains period furnishings.

Check their website for hours • 2482 San Diego Ave. • (619) 297-9327

San Jose

Fallon House & Peralta Adobe

A fully restored and furnished 15 room Italianate Victorian, built around 1855 by Thomas Fallon, an officer in the U.S. Army during the War with Mexico and later mayor of San Jose. The structure stood empty for a number of years after the Fallon family vacated in 1878. Reopening as a hotel in 1900, the structure housed one of the most popular restaurants in the Valley, frequented by celebrities such as John Steinbeck, Fatty Arbuckle and Charlie Chaplin. Admission includes guided tours of the Peralta Adobe.

Open Sat-Sun 12pm-5pm • 175 West Saint John Street • (408) 993-8300

San Jose Historical Museum

On 25 acres in South Kelley Park, the museum has 21 original & fully restored Victorian buildings, including a printshop, candy store, bank, hotel, doctor's office, firehouse, livery & homes (including the VPA's Andrew Hill House). There are also exhibits on early Indian, Spanish & Mexican influences on the Santa Clara Valley.

See their web site for hours • 1650 Senter Road • (408) 287-2290

Winchester Mystery House

If you can look past all the hype about how crazy Sarah Winchester was, and instead concentrate on what she did with the incredible wealth she inherited, what you'll see is an amazing Victorian filled with some of the finest woodwork, lincrusta, and art glass of the period. Then again some of it you won't see because Sarah built right over it. VPA members wish they could have just a few minutes unescorted in the storeroom. Here you'll find a great collection of doors, windows, and rolls and rolls of lincrustra that never made it into Sarah's plans. If you want to see the house at its best, visit during the Christmas holidays, when many of the rooms get decorated by local non-profit groups. To brag just a little, the VPA has won the decorating contest the last six years in a row. We also have some cool historical picts of the mansion.

Hours • 525 South Winchester Boulevard • (408) 247-2101

San Francisco

Haas-Lilienthal House

This magnificent towered Queen Anne was built in 1886 and features a remarkable interior that has been kept intact.

Call for hours • 2007 Franklin Street • (415) 441-3000

Octagon House

The Octagon House was built in 1861 and houses a museum run by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America.

Open 2nd Sunday, 2nd & 4th Thur, 12-3 Closed Jan & holidays • 2645 Gough St. • (415) 441-7512

San Juan Bautista

San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

Attractions include the 1868 Zanetta House, the 1840 Castro House and the 1858 Plaza Hotel.

Open daily 10-4:30 • Highway 156 • (831) 623-4526

San Simeon

Hearst Castle

The house and gardens are so large there are four different tours offered. As if the 115 rooms in the main house weren't enough for newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, there are also three guesthouses and 127 acres of grounds.

Tours by ticket only daily 8:20-3:20 • State Route 1 • (805) 927-2020

Santa Barbara

Judge Charles Fernald Mansion and Trussell-Winchester Adobe

The Judge Charles Fernald Mansion is an elegant Victorian Queen Anne style mansion that has been restored to reflect life in the household of a Santa Barbara judge and his family, circa 1900. The Trussell-Winchester Adobe was constructed by Captain Horatio Gates Trussell for his family in 1854 and embodies the transition from Mexican American rule.

Guided tours every Saturday 1 and 2 pm & group tours by appointment. • 414 West Montecito Street • (805) 966-1601

Santa Clara

Harris-Lass Historic Museum

The Harris-Lass Historic Museum is located on the last farm site in the City of Santa Clara. The two story Italianate house has been fully furnished and renovated. The site also includes a barn, tank house, summer kitchen and chicken coop.

Open Sat & Sun 12-4pm 1889 Market Street, Santa Clara (408) 249-7905

Santa Rosa

Luther Burbank Home and Gardens

Luther Burbank was a famous horticulturist and his home and gardens are a fine testament to his life.

Open Wed-Sun 10-3:30 Apr-Oct • Santa Rosa Ave at Sonoma Ave • (707) 524-5445

Wilmington

Banning Residence Museum

This restored 18 room Greek Revival mansion was the home of Wilmington's founder, Gen. Phineas Banning.

Guided tours Tue-Thu 12:30-2:30, Sat-Sun 12:30-3:30 • 401 E. M St. • (310) 548-7777

Woodside

Filoli

With its beautifully-preserved Georgian Revival house and magnificent gardens, Filoli is a rare and historically-important example of an early 1900s country estate.

Open Tue-Sat 10-3 mid-Feb to Oct • 86 Cañada Road • (650) 364-8300