Historic Architecture and Delightful Urban Retreat
Entire home in San Diego, California
- 4 guests
- 2 bedrooms
- 2 beds
- 2.5 baths
Hosted by James
- Superhost
- 4 years hosting
Listing highlights
Top 5% of homes
This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.
In Hillcrest, near Balboa Park
About a 10-min walk to Balboa Park, with Hillcrest restaurants and Whole Foods just blocks away
A landmark 1910 Gill-designed home
Designed by Irving J. Gill in 1910, with a gas fireplace, private garden, and second-floor deck
Impeccable hosting from James
Guests highlight the spotless cleanliness, thoughtful welcome touches, and James's clear communication
Designed by world-famous architect Irving J. Gill, this historically designated 1910 home is light and open, retaining its unique character while offering modern comforts. It offers stunning views of its private garden, with a calm beauty that makes it hard to leave. Walk to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, gourmet stores, and local Hillcrest restaurants. Perfectly located to enjoy Balboa Park, the weekly Farmers Market, CityFest, Taste of Hillcrest, the annual Pride Parade, and Comic-Con.
The space
ICONIC 1910 IRVING J. GILL MODERNIST MASTERPIECE
THE SPACE
Step into architectural history. Designed by world-famous architect Irving J. Gill, this 1910 home is meticulously preserved and historically designated. It is an honored member of the Iconic Houses worldwide network.
The home was so far ahead of its time that you might mistake it for Mid-century Modern. The layout maximizes natural sun, cross-breezes, and total privacy. It is open, filled with light, and offers stunning views of its private garden.
We have carefully updated the property to include all modern conveniences while strictly maintaining its historic charm, integrity, and original Gill details.
• Ground Floor: Features an amazing, light-filled living room perfect for gathering, complete with a functional gas fireplace.
• Upstairs: Features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a dedicated entertainment room.
• Outdoor Living: A second-floor deck overlooks the quiet cul-de-sac street. It offers a peaceful space to enjoy San Diego's perfect year-round climate.
GUEST ACCESS & AMENITIES
• Gourmet Cooking: Enjoy a fully equipped chef's kitchen. We provide elegant place settings for up to 6 guests.
• Al Fresco Dining: A premium gas grill is available if you want to host up to two visitors for a small dinner party.
• Easy Self-Check-In: Guests access the home via a secure keypad code on the side door. (A keypad was intentionally omitted from the front door to protect its historic character).
• Expert Local Insights: Your host is the founder and president of the Irving J. Gill Foundation. Feel free to ask any questions about the home's unique history.
PARKING & IMPORTANT HOUSE RULES
• Capacity: Strictly limited to four overnight guests.
• Rental Agreement: Guests are required to sign a rental agreement prior to receiving access codes.
• Historic Safety Note: Please use caution on the second-floor deck. The historic guardrails are lower than those found in contemporary homes.
• The Garage: Fits one car. It is a tight space that accommodates most standard vehicles, but large SUVs will not fit.
• Street Parking: Free street parking is available directly in front of the home. Like most of midtown San Diego, spots can fill up quickly during standard work hours and nearby neighborhood events.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Located in the highly desirable, tree-lined neighborhood of Hillcrest/Midtown, this home sits in an architectural haven filled with other classic Gill homes and California Craftsman properties.
Hillcrest is exceptionally central, bounded by Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, Balboa Park, University Heights, and North Park. A large ridge overlooking the San Diego Bay borders the neighborhood to the west, offering beautiful coastal geography.
LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS & WALKABILITY
• Groceries: A short, easy walk to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and local gourmet markets.
• Dining: Dozens of amazing restaurants, cafes, and bars are just blocks away.
• Local Culture: Walk to the weekly Farmers Market or the monthly Walk in ART event.
• Major Annual Events: Ideal home base for CityFest, Taste of Hillcrest, the Pride Block Party & Parade, and the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.
• San Diego Attractions: Balboa Park and Downtown San Diego (home of Comic-Con) are just a few minutes away. Thanks to nearby freeway access, the entire city is within easy reach by car.
Guest access
Self-check-in. Guests will be given a code to enter on a keypad and enter through a side door. A keypad was not placed on the front door to maintain its historical character.
Other things to note
• Superb architectural design
• Fully equipped chef's kitchen
• SmartTV w/ Roku
• Extremely safe neighborhood
• Easy walking to Whole Foods, cafes, restaurants, and more
• Walk Score 94 (walker's paradise)
• Bike Score 79 (very bike-able)
• Very close to the zoo, beaches, Balboa Park, and more
• Close to golf courses
• Beaches are only 7 easy miles away
• 11 min drive or Uber/Lyft to downtown San Diego and Little Italy
Registration Details
STR-05638L, 646025
The space
ICONIC 1910 IRVING J. GILL MODERNIST MASTERPIECE
THE SPACE
Step into architectural history. Designed by world-famous architect Irving J. Gill, this 1910 home is meticulously preserved and historically designated. It is an honored member of the Iconic Houses worldwide network.
The home was so far ahead of its time that you might mistake it for Mid-century Modern. The layout maximizes natural sun, cross-breezes, and total privacy. It is open, filled with light, and offers stunning views of its private garden.
We have carefully updated the property to include all modern conveniences while strictly maintaining its historic charm, integrity, and original Gill details.
• Ground Floor: Features an amazing, light-filled living room perfect for gathering, complete with a functional gas fireplace.
• Upstairs: Features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a dedicated entertainment room.
• Outdoor Living: A second-floor deck overlooks the quiet cul-de-sac street. It offers a peaceful space to enjoy San Diego's perfect year-round climate.
GUEST ACCESS & AMENITIES
• Gourmet Cooking: Enjoy a fully equipped chef's kitchen. We provide elegant place settings for up to 6 guests.
• Al Fresco Dining: A premium gas grill is available if you want to host up to two visitors for a small dinner party.
• Easy Self-Check-In: Guests access the home via a secure keypad code on the side door. (A keypad was intentionally omitted from the front door to protect its historic character).
• Expert Local Insights: Your host is the founder and president of the Irving J. Gill Foundation. Feel free to ask any questions about the home's unique history.
PARKING & IMPORTANT HOUSE RULES
• Capacity: Strictly limited to four overnight guests.
• Rental Agreement: Guests are required to sign a rental agreement prior to receiving access codes.
• Historic Safety Note: Please use caution on the second-floor deck. The historic guardrails are lower than those found in contemporary homes.
• The Garage: Fits one car. It is a tight space that accommodates most standard vehicles, but large SUVs will not fit.
• Street Parking: Free street parking is available directly in front of the home. Like most of midtown San Diego, spots can fill up quickly during standard work hours and nearby neighborhood events.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Located in the highly desirable, tree-lined neighborhood of Hillcrest/Midtown, this home sits in an architectural haven filled with other classic Gill homes and California Craftsman properties.
Hillcrest is exceptionally central, bounded by Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, Balboa Park, University Heights, and North Park. A large ridge overlooking the San Diego Bay borders the neighborhood to the west, offering beautiful coastal geography.
LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS & WALKABILITY
• Groceries: A short, easy walk to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and local gourmet markets.
• Dining: Dozens of amazing restaurants, cafes, and bars are just blocks away.
• Local Culture: Walk to the weekly Farmers Market or the monthly Walk in ART event.
• Major Annual Events: Ideal home base for CityFest, Taste of Hillcrest, the Pride Block Party & Parade, and the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.
• San Diego Attractions: Balboa Park and Downtown San Diego (home of Comic-Con) are just a few minutes away. Thanks to nearby freeway access, the entire city is within easy reach by car.
Guest access
Self-check-in. Guests will be given a code to enter on a keypad and enter through a side door. A keypad was not placed on the front door to maintain its historical character.
Other things to note
• Superb architectural design
• Fully equipped chef's kitchen
• SmartTV w/ Roku
• Extremely safe neighborhood
• Easy walking to Whole Foods, cafes, restaurants, and more
• Walk Score 94 (walker's paradise)
• Bike Score 79 (very bike-able)
• Very close to the zoo, beaches, Balboa Park, and more
• Close to golf courses
• Beaches are only 7 easy miles away
• 11 min drive or Uber/Lyft to downtown San Diego and Little Italy
Registration Details
STR-05638L, 646025
Where you’ll sleep
Bedroom 1
1 queen bed
Bedroom 2
1 double bed
What this place offers
Garden view
Courtyard view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Select check-in date
Add your travel dates for exact pricing
Rated 4.99 out of 5 from 77 reviews.
Guest favorite
This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
Overall rating
- 5 stars, 99% of reviews
- 4 stars, 1% of reviews
- 3 stars, 0% of reviews
- 2 stars, 0% of reviews
- 1 stars, 0% of reviews
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value
Guest reviews mention
Where you’ll be
San Diego, California, United States
Meet your host
Born in the 50s
Where I went to school: UIUC
James is a Superhost
Host details
Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.
Things to know
Explore other options in and around San Diego
Other types of stays on Airbnb
- San Diego vacation rentals
- San Diego monthly stays
- Family-friendly vacation rentals in San Diego
- House vacation rentals in San Diego
- House vacation rentals in San Diego County
- Family-friendly vacation rentals in San Diego County
- Family-friendly vacation rentals in California
- House vacation rentals in California
- House vacation rentals in United States