Ainsley House
(and Campbell Historical Museum)
300 Grant Street, Campbell CA 95008
HOURS April-Dec.; Thurs.-Sun., noon-4:00p.m.
PHONE (408) 866-2118
PRICES $6.00 adult; $3.00 senior (over 55); $2.00 child 12-18; free to children under 12
GROUP RESERVATIONS Two weeks in advance for groups of 10 or more.
The Ainsley house was built in 1926 and is furnished in the style of the 1920's-30's. The Campbell Historical Museum offers exhibits and videos on the history of Campbell. The grounds also include gardens laid out in the original 1926 design.
Alta Mira Club
(Ygnacio Peralta Home)
561 Lafayette., San Leandro, CA 94577
HOURS 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Tuesday-Friday (By appointment only)
PHONE (510) 562-7144
PRICES $1 per person, student under 12 free
GROUP RESERVATIONS Only 15-45
The Ygnacio Peralta Home was built in 1860 and is a California Historical Landmark. The Peralta family occupied the house until 1875. It was sold again in 1909 and then in 1926 to the Alta Mira Women's Club who uses the house for club functions and tours.
Alvarado Adobe
#1 Alvarado Square, San Pablo, CA 94806
HOURS Third Sunday, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
PHONE (510) 234-7518
PRICES No admission charge
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 234-7518
The Alvarado Adobe was built in 1845 and was later recostructed to original condition to house the tours and local history displays. Also in Alvarado Square is a 1905 Victorian style farmhouse, bunkhouse, and the landscaped square.
Camron-Stanford House
1418 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612
HOURS 11-4 Wednesdays, 1-5 Sundays. Special group tours by appointment
PHONE (510) 836-1976
PRICES Guided tours by trained volunteer docents. $4.00 adults; $2.00 seniors; $1 juniors (age 12-18); free under age 12
GROUP RESERVATIONS(510) 836-1976 House available for special event rentals.
The Camron-Stanford house is the last Victorian Mansion still standing in Lake Merrit. Built in 1875, it housed the Oakland Public Museum from 1910-1967. The Camron-Stanford House Preservation Association saved the house from demolition and has restored and redecorated the house.
Casa Peralta
384 W. Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577
HOURS Fri. through Sun., 12:00-4:00 p.m.
PHONE (510) 577-3490
PRICES Donations accepted.
GROUP RESERVATIONS For group tours please contact San Leandro Library, (510) 577-3480.
Casa Peralta was built in 1897 for the Peralta family and was later remodeled by a descendant of the family. Incorporated in the remodeling are bricks from the Peralta's home in east Oakland. The house is now owned by the City of San Leandro.
Cohen-Bray House
1440 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
HOURS 4th Sunday of each month, 2:00 p.m. Reservations are required.
PHONE (510) 532-0704
PRICES $5 Adult
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 532-0704
The Cohen-Bray house was built 1884 and has been comtinuously lived in by descendents of the family. The house is headquarters for the Victorian Preservation Center of Oakland. The goal of the center is to promote study of the 19th century culture in the Bay area.
Dunsmuir House and Gardens
2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605
HOURS Most weekdays, 10 a.m.-4p.m., and April through September, 1st & 3rd Sun., 11 a.m-3 p.m. Call for Holiday Faire dates and times.
MANSION TOURS April through September, Wed., 11&12; 1st & 3rd Sun., 12, 1 and 2 p.m. Group tours by reservation.
PHONE (510) 615-5555
PRICES Mansion Tour: $5 adult, $4 Jrs. and Srs., Child under six free. Grounds only: $2 donation.
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 615-5555
Built in 1899, the Dunsmuir house has 37 rooms, with three floors restored and available to the public. The grounds include 40 acres with gardens, carraige house and milk barn.
Falkirk Cultural Center
also known as The Robert Dollar Estate
1408 Mission Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901
HOURS 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tues., Wed., Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Thurs., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.
PHONE (415) 485-3328
PRICESNo admit fee except for group tours.
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 485-3328, by advance request.
The Falkirk Cultural center is situated on 11 acres, one of the largest victorian estates in the bay area. The grounds include the Queen Anne-style mansion, reflecting pool, bunya-bunya trees, a herd of deer, and gothic-style greenhouse.
Haas-Lilienthal House
2007 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109
HOURS 12-3:30 p.m., Wed. (Last tour 3:15 p.m.) 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sundays (Last tour 4:15 p.m.)
PHONE (415) 441-3004
PRICES $5 adults; $3 seniors/students
GROUP RESERVATIONS (415) 441-3004
The Haas-Lilienthal House was built in 1886 by wealthy businessman William Haas. The house was continuously occupied by the family until 1972, when it was donated to The Foundation for San Fransisco's Architectural Heeritage. It is now fully furnished and open to the public.
Harris-Lass Historic Museum
1889 Market Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050
(Mail: P.O. Box 3311, Santa Clara, CA 95055)
HOURS Saturday & Sunday, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Guided tours by trained docents.
PHONE (408) 249-7905. Call to verify hours and arrange school tours, group tours or for grounds rental information.
PRICES $3 Adults; $2 Seniors (60+); $1 Children (6-12)
The Harris-Lass house is named for the two families that lived on the property for 125 years before the city of Santa Clara purchased it in 1987. The grounds include nearly one acre of land, housing the fully restored home, barn, tank house, summer kitchen, and chicken coop. The museum is operated by the Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara.
Kohl Mansion
2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010
HOURS Tours by special appointment.
PHONE (415) 992-4668
PRICES $6 per person; $12 with coffee, tea & cake, sandwiches
GROUP RESERVATIONS Minimum of 20 people in a group, as the house must be specially opened.
One of only two remaining Tudor mansions on the San Fransisco Peninsula, the Kohl Mansion was completed in 1914. The construction of the manor was begun in 1912 by Charles Kohl. He and his wife Bessie lived in the house for only 2 years, after which it closed for 10 years. It was then re-opened as a convent and then became a girl's school, which it remains today.
Lathrop House
627 Hamilton street, Redwood city, CA 94063
HOURS 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tues., Wed., Thurs. Closed Aug. and last two weeks of December.
PHONE (415) 365-5564 (Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
PRICESContributions and donations
GROUP RESERVATIONS By advance request. Write: R.C. Heritage Assn., P.O. Box 1273, Redwood City, CA 94063. Phone: (415) 365-5564
PARKING City lot, two blocks southwest of house on Hamilton at Aguello or in county parking structure at Veterans Blvd. & Middlefield.
The Lathrop House, built in 1863 by Benjamin Lathrop is a rare example of the Steamboat Gothic style of architecture. Later it was the home of the Civil War General Patrick Edward Connor, and after the turn of the century was inhabited by San Mateo County Sheriff Joel Mansfield. Later it was converted into a boarding huse and then into a series of apartments before being restored to its original condition by San Mateo County and the Redwood City Heritage Association.
Los Altos History House Museum
51 South San Antonio Rd., Los Altos, CA 94022
(Mail: P.O. Box 1165, Los Altos, CA 94023)
HOURS Wed., 1:00-5:00 p.m.; Sat., Noon-4:00 p.m.
PHONE (415) 948-9427
PRICES No admission fee — Donation
GROUP RESERVATIONS Scheduled by appointment.
The Los Altos Histoy House Museum is located on the grounds of a former apricot orchard. The recently restored house depicts the lifestyle of a 1930's farm family. The surrounding land includes further exibits such as a one acre apricot orchard, an apricot processing display, a tank house and period gardens. As well as regular hours, the house and grounds are host to various events throughout the year.
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens
Santa Rosa Avenue at Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA
(Mail: P.O. Box 1678, Santa Rosa, CA 95402)
HOURS Guided tours: April-October, Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Gardens: Open daily, free.
PHONE Information: (707) 524-5445
PRICES Guided tours: Adults $2; children 12 and under free.
GROUP RESERVATIONS By reservation only; deposit required; call (707) 524-5445
The Luther Burbank Home and Gardens is the site of the famous horticulturalist's working garden. Today, the gardens feature plants introduced by Burbank. Tours include a description of his life and work, a look at Burbank's greenhouse and a walk thorugh his home, which contains original furnishings.
McConaghy House
18701 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94541
HOURS 1-4 p.m., Thurs. through Sun. Last tour 3:30 p.m. Closed during January and Thanksgiving week.
PHONE (510) 276-3010
PRICES $3 adult, $2 senior (over 65) $.50 child (6-12). (Phone for Christmas rates.)
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 278-0198. If no answer, (510) 581-0223.
The McConaghy Estate, built in 1886, includes a 12-room farmhouse, tank house and carriage house. The house is decorated for Christmas 1886 during December and is decorated in the Victorian style on other holidays as well.
Meyers House and Garden Museum
2021 Alemeda Avenue, Alemeda, CA 94501
HOURS By appointment only
PHONE (510) 521-1233
PRICES $2 per person
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 521-1233
The Meyers House and Garden Museum was designed in 1897 for Henry H. Meyers, a prominent East Bay architect. The house was bequeathed to the City of Alemeda by Meyers' three daughters. The house is a prominent example of the Colonial Revival style and is situated on a double lot with the original fencing, entrance gate, and pergola.
John Muir National Historic Site
4202 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA 94553
HOURS 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wed. through Sun. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
PHONE (510) 228-8860
PRICES $2.00 adults (17-61) Seniors free with passport
GROUP RESERVATIONS Tours are self-guiding. Phone two weeks in advance for guided tour reservations only.
The John Muir house was built in 1882 by Muir's father-in-law. A great conservationist, Muir did much of his writing in the study between 1890 and 1914, the time in which he lived in this 17-room mansion. The Martinez Adobe was built in 1849 and now contains exhibits on local history, the Martinez and Strentzel families and John Muir.
Octagon House
2645 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
HOURS 2nd Sun., 2nd & 4th Thurs., 12-3. Closed January and holidays.
PHONE (415) 441-7512
PRICES Donations appreciated
GROUP RESERVATIONS Please call the number above.
Octagon House was built in 1861 by William C. McElroy, a prosperous miller. The house was acquired by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of California in 1952 and moved across the street to its present location. Octagon house is now a museum of decorative arts of the Colonial and Federal periods. Items on display include silver, furniture and portraits.
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site
Danville, CA
HOURS Free public tours are offered at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. every Wed. through Sun. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
PHONE (510) 838-0249. Adress inquiries to Eugene O'Neill N.H.S., P.O. Box 280, Danville, CA 94526.
INDIVIDUAL/GROUP RESERVATIONS Access to the park is by reservation only. For reservation information, contact the National Park Service, (510) 838-0249.
In 1936, playwright Eugene O'Neill won the Nobel Prize in Literature. The following year, using his prize money, he built a Spanish-style home in the hills above Danville which he called "Tao House." During his seven years in Danville, O'Neill completed his last five plays and won his fourth Pulitzer Prize. O'Neill is the only American playwright to have won the Nobel Prize.
The Pardee Home
672 11th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
HOURSTours of house and grounds. Sat., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 Reservations not required.
PHONE (510) 444-2187
PRICES $5 adult, $4 senior, Children under 12 free.
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 444-2187 School groups or groups of 8 or more can be arranged at other times.
This Italianate Villa home was built in 1868 by architects Hoagland and Newsome for Dr. E.H. Pardee and lived in by 3 generations of the family. Pardee's son was governor of California from 1903-1907, and both Pardee and his son served as Oakland mayors. The house contains a large decorative arts collection from 113 years in the life of the Pardee family.
George W. Patterson House
Ardenwood Regional Park, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont, CA, 94555
HOURS April through mid-November & last week of December. Thurs.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat., Sun., 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
PHONE (510)791-4196
PRICES $6.00 adult, $4.00 senior, $3.50 child 4-17 years ($1.00 more for special event weekends). Prices include house tour (6 years and up), wagon and railcar ride, picnic facilities, historic craft demonstrations. Call about special events.
GROUP RESERVATIONS (510) 791-4196
The George W. Patterson House is owned and operated by the City of Fremont and is located in the Ardenwood East Bay Regional Park. Built in 1889, this large white Queen Anne is nestled in a grove of eucalyptus trees. Ardenwood is a 205-acre historic farm complete with farm animals, Victorian gardens, horse-drawn rail and wagon rides, picnicing facilities, and Victorian craft demonstrations.
Peralta Adobe & Fallon House Historic Site
175 West St. John Street, San Jose, CA 95110
HOURS 11:00-4:00, Wed.-Sun.
PHONE (408) 993-8182
PRICES $6.00 adult, $5.00 senior (over 60), $3.00 youth (6-17)
GROUP RESERVATIONS (408) 993-8182 Wed.-Sun. pre-arranged group tours require 10 or more. $5.00 per person.
The Peralta Adobe, built in 1797 is furnished in style of the pueblo period. It is the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. The Fallon house was built in 1855 by one of San Jose's first mayors in the Victorian style typical to the pre-Civil War era. Admission fee covers both houses.
Ralston Hall College of Notre Dame
1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002
HOURS Tours by appointment only.
PHONE (415) 508-3501
PRICES $5 per person, $3 students, seniors
GROUP RESERVATIONS To arrange for a tour, please call (415) 508-3501
Ralston Hall, the former country estate of William Chapman Ralston, is located on the College of Notre Dame campus. Ralston was the founder of the Bank of Calfornia and the builder of the California Theatre as well as the Palace Hotel in San Franciso. The entire downstairs and the upastairs Gallery with its opera boxes are available for tours.