The La Mesa History Center (formerly Historical Society) home tour enters its 16th year. The event will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year the event returns for an in-person home tour centered on, and partnering with, the century old institutional landmark Grossmont High School and its original “Castle” school building. Once again, the tour features a mixture of classic, revival, contemporary, and modern designs emblematic of these rural suburban “foothill” neighborhoods.

In addition to partnering with Grossmont High School in recognition of the centennial of their original, restored, “Castle” building (which opened in September 1922)—and which will be included in the tour, the Brier Tract and Grossmont/Mt. Helix communities present a unique opportunity for realizing San Diego’s distinctive suburban residential dreams.

From the Brier Tract and Grossmont’s early 20th century plans for creating rustic bohemian artist colonies of arts & crafts influenced organic residences though the popular “revival” styles homes of the inter-war years or the post-war mid-century modern visions of “nuclear family” nirvana—this year’s tour provides an invitation into this local architectural heritage—and some of the area’s most noted builders and architects.

For these 20th century home makers and builders, the rocky, hillside view lots provided a natural canvas for California’s legendary indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Tapping into that intersection of organic architecture and arts and crafts aesthetic made logical sense in fulfilling the rural suburban dreams of these varied periods of community development. Individual lots and creative, innovative and forward-thinking residents and designers found the semi-rural landscape perfect for these eclectic versions of suburban bliss. Visionary designers and builders of San Diego found design palettes, and willing clients, here in Brier Tract, Grossmont and Mt. Helix.

Tickets to the event are available only through the La Mesa History Center

Order tickets or memberships online at: lamesahistory.com or mail check for ticket payment by Oct. 31 to: La Mesa History Center, P.O. Box 882, La Mesa, Ca. 91944. All “Tickets” are picked up on tour day. No tickets will be mailed.

Continuously running shuttles are included with admission and will provide access to the homes. Due to narrow streets and minimal parking at the homes, no personal vehicles can be allowed on the tour. The home tour is not ADA accessible and guests will be required to walk up and down lengthy driveways to access several homes.

There is day of check-in and shuttle center service available at Grossmont High School, 1100 Murray Drive.

(Courtesy photos)