Step into La Mesa’s history with the 19th Annual Golden Gems Home Tour.
History buffs and architecture lovers are in for a treat when the La Mesa History Center hosts the signature event on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The tour, one of San Diego County’s most popular, returns to the historic heart of downtown La Mesa, highlighting neighborhoods, homes, and community leaders who helped establish the “Jewel of the Hills.”
“Our home tour is one of the most popular, with our ‘freestyle’ format that lets ticket holders choose how long they wish to stay at each home,” said historian and tour chair Jim Newland.
This year’s event features seven beautifully preserved homes in and around La Mesa’s downtown village, highlighting more than a century of architectural evolution—from early Folk Victorian and Craftsman bungalows to Spanish Eclectic, Spanish Contemporary, and Prairie-influenced designs.
Among the highlights is a 1910 Prairie-style home designed by world-renowned San Diego architect Irving J. Gill for community developer Sherman Grable—the last remaining example of Gill’s three known La Mesa projects.
The tour also includes homes designed or built by notable architects and builders such as William Wheeler, Arthur Lindley, F.D. Harrington, J.B. Davis, Henry L. Russell, and the Dennstedt Co.
Visitors can explore at their own pace aboard continuously running shuttle buses operating from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shuttles depart from the city of La Mesa’s municipal parking lot at Allison and Date avenues, the tour’s central check-in location. Guests are encouraged to arrive before 1 p.m. to allow time to visit all seven stops. Due to narrow streets and minimal parking, personal vehicles are not permitted on the tour. The event is not ADA accessible, and participants should be prepared for some walking, driveways, and staircases.
“This year’s event also marks the beginning of the History Center’s 50th anniversary celebration, recognizing five decades of preserving La Mesa’s rich heritage. The organization’s own home—the 1908 McKinney House, which serves as both a museum and City Historic Landmark No. 1—will be open for viewing, with new exhibits honoring the center’s founders and restoration efforts,” Newland said.
The McKinney House, originally built as a Folk Victorian farmhouse for Rev. Henry A. McKinney and his family, reflects La Mesa’s early agricultural roots.
The History Center has recently updated the property’s landscape to echo its original citrus ranch setting.
The tour will also feature La Mesa First United Methodist Church, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary. Guests can explore the church’s 1922 Spanish Colonial Revival sanctuary, designed by Arthur Lindley, and its 1955 Spanish Contemporary addition by F.D. Harrington.
A Friday night pre-tour and reception will be held Nov. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m., offering guests a chance to meet homeowners, enjoy guided tours with Newland, and gain entry to Saturday’s main event.
Tickets are available through the La Mesa History Center at lamesahistory.com. Prices are $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers in advance, or $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers on the day of the event. Premium Friday night tickets are $125 and include admission to both events. Patron and benefactor members receive two tickets, and Jewel members receive four. Shuttle transportation is provided, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
“The Golden Gems of La Mesa tour offers a rare look at the city’s architectural heritage, highlighting the craftsmanship, period details, and stories behind each historic home,” Newland said.
“This year’s tour is a perfect way to celebrate La Mesa’s past, present, and the History Center’s 50 years of preserving it all.”
