ABOUT THE TOUR

In a first, San Diego Floral Association focuses its annual garden tour in the Marston Hills neighborhood. Lying just north of Balboa Park, this historic development of well-kept homes has ties to San Diego’s growth in the 1920s and to one of its most prominent citizens, businessman and civic activist George W. Marston. 

The first thing to know about the San Diego neighborhood of Marston Hills is that it is not adjacent to the historic Marston House Museum and Gardens on Seventh Avenue at the northwest corner of Balboa Park. Rather, it is located on the other side of the 163 freeway. In city planning documents, Marston Hills falls into the Uptown and Hillcrest areas. The neighborhood begins at Upas Street on the north edge of Balboa Park, across the street from today’s Girls and Boy Scout encampments in Balboa Park. Richmond Street is a neighborhood boundary and Park Boulevard passes nearby. 

With full-page advertisements in June 1924 issues of the San Diego newspapers, George Marston launched his 74-acre Marston Hills development, designed by Harvard-trained landscape architect Ralph D. Cornell and plant expert Theodore Payne. Amenities like grading, paving, sidewalks, curbs, public service connections and soon to be planted trees were offered. 

Marston added his personal touch to the business of housing development. Every lot sale required his personal approval. To ensure the “beauty and harmony” of the neighborhood, Marston also had to approve building plans. Purchasers were required to commence home construction within one year. Speculators were banned. In 1926, Marston built six homes on unsold lots along Cypress Way. 

Today, Marston Hills retains an appearance of “the tract beautiful” as advertised in the 1920s. Its irresistible charm awaits visitors on May 30 when neighborhood gardens–ranging from beautiful residential gardens to large estate gardens–will be open for the San Diego Floral Association tour.

A highlight of this tour is the estate of the late and beloved San Diego sports star Bill Walton. His very large and lush garden has an impressive array of botanical specimens. A long and shady garden trail leads to decks extending over a canyon rim, multiple waterfalls and decorative planted installations of large stones.