Beautiful historic home and gardens near downtown!

your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for Beautiful historic home and gardens near downtown!

Terrace/patio
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Dining
Interior
Combined shower/bathtub, jetted bath, hair dryer, towels

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
San Diego, CA
  • Waterfront Park
    2 min drive
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego
    3 min drive
  • Marine Corps Recruit Depot
    3 min drive
  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    10 min drive

Room options

About the area

San Diego

With a stay at this guesthouse, you'll be centrally located in San Diego, within a 5-minute drive of San Diego Convention Center and Port of San Diego. .This guesthouse is 2.7 mi (4.4 km) from Petco Park and 3.1 mi (5 km) from San Diego Zoo.

What's nearby

  • Port of San Diego - 3 min drive
  • Marine Corps Recruit Depot - 3 min drive
  • B Street Cruise Ship Terminal - 4 min drive
  • Balboa Park - 6 min drive
  • San Diego Zoo - 7 min drive

Getting around

  • Old Town Transit Center - 9 min drive
  • Middletown Station - 12 min walk
  • San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪BCB Cafe - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Moe Coffee - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Mona Lisa Italian Foods - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Aero Club Bar - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The Crack Shack - ‬15 min walk

About this property

Beautiful historic home and gardens near downtown!

Location, Location, Location...Welcome to Union Street Gardens. We are dedicated to providing a peaceful, serene atmosphere in which our guests can relax after a long day of exploring beautiful sunny San Diego. This unique historic craftsman bungalow is minutes from downtown, Balboa Park, convention center, zoo, beaches and includes a Chef's kitchen, outdoor deck, gardens, fire pit and spa! Perfect for a family of 4 or two couples. Sorry no parties or large groups and no external guests please.

The space
This expansive and pristine 3 bed, 2.5 bath home is located in Mission Hills. Built in 1909, this historic craftsman home retains all of its original charm. Updated and perfectly maintained. Features include original hardwood floors, millwork, fireplace and a brand new Chef's kitchen. Beautiful outdoor gardens with a spa and fire pit as well as an outdoor deck with a Barbecue grill. Professionally decorated with our guests comfort in mind.

The house is enabled with super-fast, 5GHz, Gigabit/second WiFi.

The Chef's kitchen includes Italian-made Bertazzoni oven and range, Fisher Paykel refrigerator/freezer and All-Clad cookware.

Please note that we are meticulous about cleanliness. We follow CDC recommendations to achieve a clean and safe environment for our guests including deep cleaning and sanitization after each guest check-out.

Guest access
You have access to the entire house and personal patio deck with an outdoor grill as well as the backyard, spa, fire-pit and gardens. Please no gathering in the outside areas after 9 pm in consideration of our neighbors.

Other things to note
There are two houses on this property. The 1909 bungalow is all yours to enjoy, and the second house is where the home owner lives.
There's a private patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a Smart television is provided for your entertainment. The bathroom has a shower/tub combination featuring a jetted bathtub and a hair dryer. Conveniences include a desk and a microwave.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities including a water park and a spa tub.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Sam and David

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • A hot tub
  • Water park access

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Heating

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bath
  • Hairdryer
  • Jetted bath
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • TV/satellite channels
  • Smart TV

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Dining room
  • Dining table
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Fridge
  • Spices

More

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 621426, STR-02504L

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Beautiful Historic Gardens
Beautiful Historic Home Gardens Near Downtown!
Beautiful Historic Home and Gardens Near Downtown! San Diego
Beautiful Historic Home and Gardens Near Downtown! Guesthouse

Beautiful historic home and gardens near downtown! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sherry L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and excellent accommodations!
Great experience! Location is very convenient and easy to get around. Backyard is very relaxing and peaceful. House has a great layout and the owners were very helpful and responsive! We had a great time in San Diego!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay!
This place is charming with much so much character. It is in a quiet neighborhood, centrally located in San Diego, and has great amenities. The hosts are communicative and provide information on the house and amenities. I appreciate how they sent videos on how the hot tub was to be used, how to turn on the firepit, etc. I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judy O.

Liked: Cleanliness
San Diego short get away
Everything was perfect. The house was just as in the pictures. The San Diego attractions were all easy to get to. The communication with the owners and the ease of checking in and out was great. Will use this property again if we ever come back to San Diego.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa O., Colorado, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Another wonderful stay!!
Second stay...just as great as the first!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

judy b., USA

Liked: Cleanliness
wonderful home and garden in a quiet neighborhood
My son and daughter-in-law joined my husband and me for a long weekend in San Diego, and this house was perfect. It was so much more than a place to stay that was convenient to Balboa Park and Gaslamp; we loved just hanging out in the house and its garden. We cooked, watched tv, played games, sat in the hot tub, and just enjoyed our time there. Our hosts have thought of almost everything--night lights conveniently set up, extra outlets, just about everything you'd need in the kitchen, etc. It felt spacious and cozy at the same time. While we didn't use the third bedroom, we appreciated having the extra powder room. It was on the pricy end for us but well worth it, and the hosts were responsive when we had to reduce our stay from 5 nights to 4. They were also available via text whenever we had questions but never intrusive. Thank you, Sam and David!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful House & Outside Space - Great Stay !!
The house is beautiful, and the outside area is magnificent. Sam and David have thought of all the little things. Plenty of household and bathroom essentials, which was greatly appreciated. Their communication was excellent! Their how to videos for the hot tub and fire pit were excellent. The firepit is cozy and easy to use, as is the hot tub.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather J., Bellevue, WA

Liked: Cleanliness
San Diego Gem
We loved our stay. The house is charming, clean and comfortable. They have maintained the historic charm but it is updated with all of the modern amenities. The outdoor spaces are lovely as well. The house is conveniently located near the airport and in between Mission Hills, Balboa Park one direction and the Waterfront-Gaslamp District on the other. If you are up for getting your steps in, all of these are walkable. All communications were detailed and clear. We would gladly stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location!
Property is centrally located and it was easy to get to places of interest. Good restaurants nearby. House was very clean when we arrived and hosts answered any questions before our arrival. We enjoyed the outdoor area - beautiful gardens with hot tub and sitting area with fire pit.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robyn M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home, great location
Sam and David were great hosts and had everything ready upon our arrival. The house had all the amenities we needed and was within close proximity to all the places we visited. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful as well. The backyard gardens were beautiful and my child loved searching for lizards and hummingbirds back there. We would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay in San Diego
We had a wonderful week in San Diego staying at this beautiful historic home. Great location and easy to get to all the San Diego attractions. Very clean home! The yard with the hot tub and firepit is amazing and very relaxing.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect!
A lovely home, thoughtfully appointed and very comfortable. The location is super convenient. Gorgeous outdoor spaces. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric J., Wilton Manors

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place!
This is a perfect location. It’s a nice neighborhood near Hillcrest and a short drive to anywhere you would want to go in San Diego. Lots of good restaurants near by. The house is spotless and the owners respond very quickly. The back of house is lovely with the hot tub, fire pit and lovely view.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emilee N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, very clean!! I will definitely stay here again if I come to sunny San Diego!!
Everything went smoothly. I needed the owners to unlock a locked bedroom door and they were very prompt in acting to help!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Lindsey L., Waterloo, ON

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely older house with wonderful owners!
Sam and David’s home is beautifully renovated and decorated, keeping the character of the original house but with many modern conveniences—especially that beautiful kitchen! Sam and David were wonderful enough to accommodate our request for an early check in, which was much appreciated after a long early flight. They sent us short, clear videos to make sure we knew how to work the hot tub, fire pit, etc. I suspect their housekeeping may have been a bit rushed as a result of our early arrival—we found a dirty pan in the cupboard and some items (salt, dishwasher liquid, etc) had not been restocked. Our hosts quickly dropped off additional supplies when we got in touch, though. It would have been great to have an information sheet in the house with details such as where to leave trash (we initially assumed there was no recycling as there weren’t bins in the house), where to look for additional linens (dining room sideboard), etc. Supplying some dish cloths in the wonderful kitchen would be helpful, too—I hate to put nice cookware through the dishwasher, but also was leery of the well used sponge in the kitchen. The beds were all comfortable and we enjoyed the use of the hot tub and the amazing views from the garden. I also appreciated that there was plenty of room for everyone to eat, relax in the living room, and generally feel at home. Notes for future guests: -the listing notes that the house is not wheelchair accessible, but if anyone in your party has other mobility concerns you should be aware that the steps to the front door are older and there is no railing. My son with minor mobility challenges managed fine but just be careful! -the front loading washing machine seal should be wiped out regularly to prevent mildew, or even better the door should be left open after running a load to dry out (this would be a good suggestion to note in a guest information sheet) -if you find one cycle of the dryer is not getting your clothes very dry, Google the manual for it. We learned that there’s a heat exchange past the lint trap that needs regular cleaning—it cut the very long drying time in half! (But still be prepared for laundry to take a while.) -the kitchen and one bathroom seem to share a venting system, so run both fans at once. We would definitely consider this home for a future stay, it’s in a great location and has a lot of nice touches. The responsiveness of the owners whenever we needed something was great!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul D., Minneapolis, MN

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice House and Location
Nicely done historic house, with a fantastic back yard and view.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melanie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous short stay before a hectic conference
What a gorgeous home! We couldn't fault it at all! Sam and David were so responsive to any queries we had. The rooms were spacious with comfortable beds. The property was super clean. And the outdoor patio area was a real treat - we loved the fire place and spa after big days of walking! What a beautiful and tranquil neighbourhood. Yet so close to the busier/touristy areas. I hope one day to return with my family! Thank you again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

andrea W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Beautiful house! Inside and out. Very cozy, clean and met all of our expectations. The back patio , spa and fire pit was such a bonus. Owners of the property very responsive and accommodating. We had a fantastic stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Experience!
We enjoyed our stay very much. The property was clean and well-maintained, and the hosts were readily available for any questions we had. The property was well located for access to freeways, as well as places such as Balboa Park, downtown, the harbor, and the airport. Overall, our stay was a great success.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Allison C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay!
Great house, great location! It had everything we needed and well stocked kitchen and bathrooms. Beautiful back yard with plenty of space for dining, barbequing, enjoying the fire pit and hot tub. We also enjoyed the swinging basket chairs. The owners were friendly, resonsive and helpful. They have thought of everything to make this a lovely place to stay. Would definately stay again! Thank you David, Sam & Milan!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

charles o.

Liked: Cleanliness
San Diego Trip
Great location. Minutes away from the zoo and airport.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie U.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nothing short of amazing
We can’t say enough good things about our stay. The house is spacious, immaculate, has beautiful decor, gorgeous gardens …everywhere you look is breathtaking. We would stay here again in a heartbeat. Our first night there the neighbors had a graduation party and had a mariachi band performing! The band was good but ended up playing pretty late. The hosts refunded us for that night for the inconvenience. We didn’t even ask they just did it. They were so helpful with suggestions on where to eat, etc. We really enjoyed everything!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kara C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent rental
Close to everything and super clean! Perfect for families. Would rent again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melody R., Ventura, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Well located
Property was well located to visit many SD attractions.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

MONICA G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lots of room indoors and outdoors
This house is a home away from home. It is a historic home with comfortable, modern decor, furniture, and appliances. I loved the house plants, bringing a bit of nature indoors. There is a lot of space and all of the amenities. Three bedrooms allow privacy when needed. The kitchen packs a LOT in a compact space. David and Sam are next door and respond right away if needed (you probably won't need to contact them because they have thought of everything). They take care of it all. No need to take out trash or wash towels or linens at the end of your stay. The best part is you have a lot of outdoor space. There is a deck with a table and grill (great for enjoying your morning tea), a pair of swinging chairs, a (very) hot tub, a fire pit, and lush gardens. The backyard is like having an extra living space. It was convenient to the harbor area (convention center) and other San Diego attractions. An important bonus: plenty of street parking. We always found a spot. I wish we had more time. I would return.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Casey A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway
We enjoyed our stay and loved the location. Short drive to wherever you want to go in the San Diego area. Updated décor and plenty of space for our family. The outdoor garden and views were stunning.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022