Marston House & Garden
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Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
3525 7th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
32.741752016, -117.15777605
Phone: (619) 297-9327
Hours: F-Su 10AM-4PM
Admission: $25 adults // $15 Seniors
Self-guided tour of garden: Free
Dog-Friendly: Outside, yes Kid-Friendly: Yes
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE ON ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS IN BALBOA PARK FOR AN AMAZING DAY TRIP!
About the Marston House
The Marston House and Garden, built in 1904 for George Marston—often called “The Father of Balboa Park”—remains one of the city’s finest historic gems. Marston worked his way up from a hotel clerk to founder of The Marston Company, San Diego’s only major department store at the time, which later sold to The Broadway in 1961.
Inspired by the great parks he saw during business trips to cities like New York and San Francisco, Marston envisioned Balboa Park as something truly extraordinary. He hired architect John Nolen to create the park’s first master plans and served as chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee during the 1915 Panama–California Exposition, which laid the foundation for the park’s museums and attractions still enjoyed today.
In 1987, Marston’s daughter Mary donated the property to the city, and today it is operated by Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) . The 8,500-square-foot Arts & Crafts style home, designed by William Hebbard and Irving Gill, is surrounded by five acres of lush gardens, rustic canyons, and English-inspired landscaping. Visitors can tour the museum, stroll through its gardens, and stop by the carriage house gift shop. It’s a timeless reminder of San Diego’s history and one of the park’s most elegant treasures.
There’s a trail at the base of the garden you can take:
