Heritage Park

Heritage Park

From their quiet hilltop perch, Heritage Park Victorian Village's seven Victorian structures peek down at Old Town San Diego's bustling streets.

Since Heritage Park is dedicated to preserving San Diego's Victorian architecture, businesses occupying the renovated structures keep with the Victorian theme. A community center, bed and breakfast inn, doll shop, law firm, and antique store currently reside in the park.

Built in 1889 in the Classic Revival style, Temple Beth Israel was San Diego's first synagogue. The county now operates it as a community center for weddings, receptions, public meetings, and bar mitzvahs. Burton House is another Classic Revival specimen. Built in 1893, the house is adorned with pediments and dentil cornices.

Christian House, built in 1889, is Heritage Park's only Queen Anne mansion. Its embellishments include numerous chimneys, a corner tower, and a wraparound veranda. Along with the 1887 Italianate-style Bushyhead House, the two structures make up the Heritage Park Inn, a romantic bed and breakfast.

Senis Cottage exemplifies the dwellings of 19th-century working class folk. The modest home was constructed in 1896 in the Nineteenth Century Vernacular style and lacks modern amenities such as gas, electricity, water, and a sewer.

The last two Heritage Park structures, built in 1887, are in the Stick Eastlake style. Sherman-Gilbert House was the first Victorian to move to Heritage Park, and key embellishments are its widow's walk and circular window. McConaughy House is named for the founder of San Diego's first scheduled freight and passenger service.

Heritage Park displays several distinct styles of Victorian architecture. This quiet and romantic spot features colorful homes and offers a magnificent bay view.

- Iris Jahng