You’ve never seen homes quite like these!
It’s no secret that there are many beautiful homes in America’s finest city. We are known for our lovely ranches, Spanish-style properties, and so on. However, there are a few homes that stand out. These houses are truly unique and one of a kind! We’ve selected 10 homes representing what it means to be a maverick.
Here is our selection of the 10 most unique homes in San Diego:
1. The Hubbell House, Santa Ysabel
This gorgeous property is also known as Ilan-Lael, which means “The Place.” The Hubbell House is the home of architect James Hubbell and his wife, Anne. Their home is located near Julian and offers different tours so you can explore James Hubbell’s wonderland! There are small-group tours on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the Spring (May and June) and Fall (September through November). You can also arrange private tours for groups of 10 or more.
Location: 930 Orchard Ln, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
2. The Hobbit House, Ramona
Traveling to Hobbiton in New Zealand is quite the journey. But what if we told you, you need to look no further than Northern San Diego to live out your Middle Earth dreams? Hidden away in the hilly Shire of San Diego, close to the Village of Ramona, there’s a beautiful Hobbit house. This charming home inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s works was created by wildlife photographer Roy Toft and is nothing short of wonderful!
Location: 3819 Dunn Dr. Culver City, CA 90232
3. The Boat Houses, Encinitas
If you’re looking for a house that stands apart from the crowd, then Encinitas’ Boat Houses definitely do. These two colossal boat homes are the SS Encinitas and SS Moonlight. Though it might not seem like it, they have never been out at sea. The architect, Miles Kellogg, constructed the homes in the late 1920s using timber salvaged from a local bathhouse and a hotel, which didn’t survive the Prohibition’s dry years.
Location: 726 3rd St, Encinitas, CA 92024
4. Villa Montezuma, Sherman Heights
Villa Montezuma is a stunning and eccentric Victorian-era home. The mansion was built in 1887 for Jesse Shepard, a famous musician, and author. Shepard was quite the eccentric, rumored to have held seances in his home to channel famous composers, musicians, and even Egyptian spirits.
Location: 1925 K St, San Diego, CA 92102
5. A. H. Beach House, Escondido
The A.H. Beach House, also known as the Bergman House, is a stunning Queen Anne-style mansion that was finished in 1896. Its original owner, Beach, did not live in this beautiful home for long. Henry W. Putnam purchased the house in 1900. Recently, an art dealer and his wife bought the property in 1997 and dedicated themselves to bringing it back to its original Victorian grandeur. The house was sold in 2016 for a whopping $1,200,000.00!
Location: 425 E 7th Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
6. Rotating House, La Mesa
The rotating house is out of this world! The 5,300+ square foot luxury home sits on the northern slope of Mt. Helix. As its name implies, the house rotates 360 degrees! The property has stunning views of the Coronado Bridge, downtown San Diego, La Jolla, Mission trails park, and the Laguna Mountains. This futuristic house is an example of “Kinetic Architecture.” This is apparently the only structure in the world that is a fully functional rotating structure with all its utilities in the rotating portion, unlike the Space Needle and rotating bars around the world.
Location: 4903 Mount Helix Dr, La Mesa, CA 91941
7 . Mushroom House, La Jolla
The Bell Pavillion, or the Mushroom House, as it’s also known, was built in 1965. This one-of-a-kind home looks like something straight out of a desert planet in Star Wars. The property overlooks the beach, so just imagine the sunset picture possibilities! It’s a great spot for a long beach walk. However, do make sure to pack water and wear sunscreen since it is a bit of a trek.
Location: 9400 La Jolla Farms Rd
8. Encinitas Hippie Homes, Encinitas
These vibrant homes are a true work of art! Next time you’re in Encinitas, you have to visit the Hippie Homes. The artists who live here have made these their ultimate canvas! The homes are not only painted in vibrant colors but also have many other adornments, such as stonework, beautiful status, and an amazing wild garden.
9. Munchkin Houses, La Jolla
According to urban legend, the small-scale Munchkin Houses were built for the actors who portrayed munchkins in the famed Wizard of Oz (1940). Famed architect Cliff May built 4 “miniature” mansions that sound like an oxymoron. However, these homes used optical illusions to seem smaller than they were. However, only one of the homes remains. Visit the house and go down the yellow brick road yourself.
Location: 7470 block of Hillside Drive, Mount Soledad in La Jolla
10. The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, Balboa Park
This village of historic cottages represents 32 countries, built as part of the 1935 Exposition. This is a fascinating look into each country’s culture, history, and traditions. The cottages are open every Sunday afternoon between noon and 5 p.m.
Location: 2191 Pan American Rd W, San Diego, CA 92101
Featured image: Shutterstock/RoamingPanda