Last updated: February 13, 2026
Explore Historic Homes in San Diego
If you’re in the market for a historic home, you probably know all about the unique architectural styles that make historic homes in San Diego so special. From Spanish Colonial Revival resembling the best of Balboa Park to American Craftsman bungalows, the city has a little bit of everything when it comes to its most impressive historic properties. People who are looking to buy a home in San Diego are often drawn to these features because they offer more character and individuality compared to the modern or nondescript type of homes.
If you’re just interested in historic sites in San Diego, the city has plenty of them, too, and many of these historic homes are open to visitors who want to learn more.
The Davis-Horton House
The Davis-Horton House may not be the oldest house in San Diego — that title usually goes to Casa de Carrillo, an adobe structure in Old Town — but it is the oldest house in downtown San Diego. The building has been here since 1850, and it serves as the Gaslamp Museum today. On your visit, move from room to room to experience each period of time in the days since the home was built. It’s one of the city’s best historical landmarks.
Heritage County Park
You can’t get more bang for your buck than a visit to Heritage County Park, a historic district in Old Town dedicated to the preservation of San Diego’s most impressive Victorian homes. The San Diego historic properties you’ll see here were all relocated from other parts of the city and placed in this park as part of the city’s preservation efforts.
Visit The Temple Beth Israel, the city’s first synagogue on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Bushyhead House, built in an Italianate-style. The Bushyhead House was built by Edward Wilkerson Bushyhead, a Cherokee man who marched on the Trail of Tears in the 1830s before serving as both a newspaper owner and San Diego’s police chief.
If you have more time, visit the McConaughy House. It’s home to the Coral Tree Tea House, a cafe that hosts traditional afternoon teas.
Long-Waterman House
This Queen Anne-style Victorian in Bankers Hill was built in 1889 for John Long, then head of the Coronado Fruit Package Company. It later became the home of former California Governor Robert Whitney Waterman, the state’s 17th governor. The mansion is a remarkable example of preserved Victorian architecture in the city, although you can’t go see it for yourself. This San Diego historical home has been a private residence under the same ownership since 1981, when it was sold for just $200,000.
Dryden Historic District
The North Park homes within the Dryden Historic District are a mix of American Craftsman bungalows, an offshoot of the Arts and Crafts Movement, and Spanish Colonial Revival-style homes.
The area runs along 28th Street and Pershing Avenue, bordered by Landis and Upas streets. It gets its name from architect and property builder David Owen Dryden, who designed many of the homes in the neighborhood. His influence there is why the historic district even came to be, with the designation granted by the San Diego Historical Resources Board in 2011.
With 136 homes within that district, you will see some real estate movement within the neighborhood from time to time. With varied architectural styles across its six blocks, expect variety with the interiors, as well. Some will have open floor plans that predate the historic designation, while others will have preserved more historical details.
How to Maintain and Restore Historic Homes
Maintaining a historic house involves distinct duties for homeowners to fulfill the task effectively; they need to focus on revitalizing the authentic elements, such as wooden floors and windows, alongside contemporary enhancements, while adhering to preservation standards outlined in the Mills Act to safeguard its historical essence.
See current Mills Act homes for sale in North Park.
San Diego’s Preservation Societies
Organizations like Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), located in San Diego, work to protect and advance conservation initiatives in the region. They provide assistance services such as workshops on house restoration and advice on attaining property recognition. By connecting with these groups, homeowners can gain valuable insights into how to manage their homes and contribute to preserving their community’s diverse cultural heritage.
Historic Homes Can Have Tax Incentives and Financial Help
The Mills Act provides financial benefits to owners of historic homes by reducing property taxes by up to 50%. For example, a property valued at $1.2 million with annual property taxes of $12,000 to $15,000 could see those taxes drop to $6,000 to $8,000 under the Mills Act, delivering significant savings. Additional monetary perks include Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits for eligible renovations and local funding opportunities to support home restoration efforts.
Historic Homes Have Long-term Value
Historic homes in San Diego often appreciate over the years due to their rarity and appeal to buyers who value authenticity and charm, along with a hint of history. Areas with a high density of residences foster a sense of community that sparks curiosity and stabilizes property prices even during market ups and downs. For individuals looking to invest in something timeless and rich, exploring San Diego’s history can offer the opportunity to own a piece of that legacy through these historical dwellings.
Interested in Buying Historic Homes in San Diego?
If you’re in the market for the best historic homes San Diego County has to offer, the McT Real Estate Group can walk you through the process. Historic San Diego homes aren’t just lovely to look at; they come with additional things to navigate. Some may already be under the Mills Act program, for example. It’s a California law that regulates the private ownership of historic places in San Diego, including the kinds of improvements you can make on the exterior portion of the home. These homes tend to sell for a bit more than the average home. However, the tax benefits that come with owning a historic home in San Diego are incredible and definitely worth considering.
If you are considering buying or selling a historic home in San Diego, contact us right away. We would love the opportunity to help you with this process.