 | San Diego Floral AssociationTo promote the knowledge and appreciation of horticulture and floriculture in the San Diego region. |
SAN DIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION
Majestic Gardens of Historic Marston Hills
May 30, 2026
The park landscape and park-like atmosphere will always be attractive features [of Marston Hills] no matter how large the city may grow.
~ San Diego Union, January 11, 1925
SDFA is hosting its annual garden tour in the historic neighborhood of Marston Hills. This hidden gem of a neighborhood is nestled between Hillcrest and Balboa Park's Zoo Mesa. The tour features a wonderful mix of gardens that take advantage of commanding canyon views.
All tickets - $30.
Day of Tickets are $35 - In Person only.
Rain or Shine. All sales are final.
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DAY OF TOURSTART location will be announced on the SDFA website before May 30th. Collect a wristband, guidebook and map at START, For faster check-in, bring a copy of your purchase confirmation Children are welcome on the tour with adult supervision. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens. The gardens are not ADA accessible. |
ABOUT THE TOURIn 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. |
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