Very beautiful and unique build. Promoted as a "haunted" historical landmark. It's historical... Interesting beginning and history. I would recommend touring for the architectural aspects. It was a longer your than we expected and was not ideal for anyone who has issues standing for long periods.

Such a beautiful and unique building (both inside and outside) with a captivating story. I think it's well worth the fee of $15. It's a 50 minute tour and you get to learn lots of interesting facts and stories. It's a shame they don't allow pictures but that also means you are completely focused on listening to the guide. I was lucky to be the only visitor at the time, and they still did the tour for me, which was very cool. The host clearly cares about the house and preserving its history. Hope they can raise the funds to maintain the museum.

Wonderful 1887 Queen Ann Victorian home, friendly and knowledgeable staff. The art glass alone is worth the visit.

Beautiful Queen Anne mansion with a fascinating history. Highly recommend a tour!

See the home that was built by the best architect found by Jesse Shepherd in the 1800's Visit and see the way Mr. Shepard shared his Victorian home with guest coming to New Town( known as down town today). The tours are only Friday, Sat and Sunday during special times selected. Text or call ahead.

Had a wonderful tour guide who about the home but about the history of San Diego and beyond. Tour was for 60 minutes but we received an extra 10 minutes.

Beautiful house. It is a bit overpriced though. You don't see all the rooms, a lot is off limits. They charge $15 dollars to walk in a circle and the house is blistering hot. Other than that, it was ok. Spooky history. They'd get a lot more traffic showing all the rooms and making an educational museum lower in price. Where I'm from museums are FREE and work off of donations. Where I'm from they get lots of people and lots of donations. Villa Montezuma, however, was just as dead as Jesse Shepard 😂 also, the male staff collecting the money was a d*ck

Stunningly beautiful historic home with a wonderful history. Mystical and haunting at the same time

Great tour, amazing building, loved every minute of it.

The design looks great, it was built in 1887 as the home of world famous pianist, author, and Spiritualist Jesse Shepard. Jesse began a writing career in San Diego and took the pen name Francis Grierson, a name that he used in life as well as for his writing. The Villa is located in the Sherman Heights Historic District of downtown San Diego, CA, at the corner of 20th & K Streets. The Sherman Heights Historic District is the largest historic district within San Diego; it has almost 400 contributing historic structures.

Absolutely fantastic museum and tour. They don't do the tours off but when they do definitely go. The friends of the Villa who take care of the place are excellent.

Fascinating. Good tour of a historic landmark. Beautiful stained glass and woodwork. Restoration in progress, but we'll worth a visit.

An excellent local example of late 19th century Queen Anne style architecture.

A San Diego treasure. Every quarter of a year, they open the museum for guided tours. Sign up for their mailing list to be notified. I've been twice during two different quarters, and though both the tours were given by the same volunteer, we learned new things about the house both times. The guides are extremely well-informed regarding the history of the house.

Beautiful, rich spooky history. Shout out to Dante and Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours.

Take a tour, very interesting story of this Victorian mansion.

Very interesting old house, learned a lot about the man who owned it and got to see a lot of his interesting choices and his history. Very cool! The 1 hour tour can stretch to 2.5 just for your awareness.

We got to see the music room on our ghost tour and it was beautiful!

Last night at the Villa Montezuma young a crowd of about 30 enjoyed performances by young actors in a set of different rooms inside the old Queen Anne mansion. There was a play in the music-room, a costume display in Jesse Shephard's bedroom and outside, a demonstration of fencing. The date was unique and offered plenty of conversation between the actors and audience.

I visited Villa Montezuma Museum in 3rd grade and its intricate architecture and elaborate interior and decor have never left my memory. As an adult I plan to visit the house with my own children so they can see for themselves this amazing piece of artwork. In addition, Villa Montezuma is a significant place in San Diego history that anyone can visit and relish as a part of history that you would rarely see in today’s architecture and stylings.

A unique experience to walk through the historic halls of the home. The inclusion of art displays was such a fun bonus to the well guided tour. So thankful we found it during our short visit!

Where do I start! Villa Montezuma is a gorgeous property with the lovely hosts ,Charles and Tessa, to share the tales of the mansion. On the DOT 4:00 the doors opened and we were greeted with a beautiful entry way. Charles led the charge with quick witted facts and lovely pacing. I never felt rushed in any room, and questions were consistently encouraged. The tour took me throughout the history of this Victorian home, and the enchantments that filled its walls. I was beyond excited to move into each room and explore the unexpected. Friends of the Villa Montezuma deserve the utmost praise for keeping this: A. A nonprofit to preserve this piece of history and B. closely paying attention to any structural issues to quickly be taken care of. Charles blew me away with his knowledge. His passion and dedication to history created an educational and invigorating environment. I was intimidated to ask questions at the beginning since there is so much to take in, but we were given the perfect amount of time in each room to explore and raise any questions. I am beyond grateful that we had our experience with him and Tessa. I hope to take another tour with him at some point. Overall I was blown away by the beauty and the elegance that this enchanted mansion provides for all of its guests. A big thank you to Louise, Charles, and Tessa for an unbelievable experience. Keep doing what you're doing and I am super excited to come back for the Spiritualism tour. Viva Las Villa Montezuma

Where to begin... We took the evening tour of this magnificent, enchanted gem of a house. Upon arrival, the rooftop gargoles greeted us from the Villa's gables and intricate, asymmetricale facade. Our charming and often witty and unbelievably, knowledgeable guide Charles, greeted us and led us through the darkened rooms with soft, lighted lanterns...so we could experience the house just as Jesse Shepard would have once entertained there in the 1880's. His knowledge and personal attention to all of his guests is lovely and perfect. Every single room of this beauty has such splendor and mesmerizing detail that one must stop and wonder why so little people know of her grandeur. I would hope more people would come and experience this for themselves....Nothing in San Diego compares... This house speaks for itself.... From the top to the bottom...the ceilings, the woodwork, fireplaces, mosaics, tiles, wallpaper...stained glass windows and many more enchantments, all perfectly and equally beautiful and fascinating! I suggest seeing this again in daylight. Albeit, I am sure there are even more eye-pleasing details to behold. However, better is to go see it first, as only the late 1800's upon-invite guests of the mysterious Jesse Shepard would have seen it...in candlelight.

This is a must see for history buffs, lovers of architecture, and anyone who loves art. The story behind the man who had this built is incredible. I saw a little of the inside but not the full tour, but what I saw was incredible, just stunning. I’m definitely going back again to see more of the place. I suggest you try to add it to your things to see in San Diego.

Very unique architecture, and entertaining and informative storytelling by Curator.

We toured the Villa after getting a peak inside during a ghost tour and of course wanted to return to tour the whole house. It did not disappoint. Love the history behind it and the guides are so knowledgeable.

Personable experiences for Sherman, who founded the mansion. Our storyteller tour guide is a gem!

Toured this place YEARS ago with my mom, who was visiting from out of town. Great place!

Enjoyed the tour but we couldn't take pictures in the villa. No original furniture, everything was sold off or donated sadly.

Not sure if they are open to visit or not. Check their website for up to date info.

I'm not sure, but it is very historic it has been their so many years.

Such an interesting and storied place. Have open tours just a few times a year.

Amazing historical building.

Haunted with ghostly energy

See this and more on Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours

I did an OfferUp deal next to this building. There were Jehovah's Witnesses on the opposite corner staring at me standing and waiting. I didn't go into the building but it looks pretty cool. Before I exited the freeway to park next to the museum, a transient man was on the side of the freeway road gasping for water. The driver in front of me called paramedics and the driver behind me gave him a bottle of water. I hope he's doing okay.

Enchanting is the right word!! Such a gorgeous house, the stained glass is truly mesmerizing. The only historic house I’ve wanted to visit again. Our tour guide Louise had such a passion and appreciation for the house it couldn’t help but rub off on us.

Just got to see the outside...

Very interesting place! Thank you David for an excellent tour!

Great place! A superb insight into San Diego history.

Along time ago the museum was a cat house. Cats everywhere wonder where the cats went

Very fun short historical tour of the house. Well worth your time

Cool

Great history wonderful building

Lived next door to this in1969.. we were also haunted by evil spirits whom actually appeared in the house. Oddly enough, we had painted our old bathtub vinyl red! The spirits who were in the house were seen by others as fighting a whispery battle with another being all dressed in white.. I was the object of the whispering..one was on one side.one on the other at my ear..I couldn't move during this episode... later we walked down the block to get cigarettes..I never forgot the battle for my soul..

At the time of this review, they had been doing weekend tours regularly for about a month. Great history with ties to the Winchester House & the Hotel Del Coronado. Absolutely beautiful! Worth the $15 cash entry fee. The only negatives are that I felt a little rushed and no interior picture taking is allowed. There's so much to see & look at in detail, I didn't feel like I had enough time. It is so amazing in there, *not* taking pictures seems like a minor crime! Definitely go, tho. They desperately need the money to repair a leaking roof.

I had a wonderful tour, led by a very knowledgeable guide. I really enjoyed my time, the bits of history that I got to see, and the other recommendations I got from the host! You don’t have to buy tickets in advance but let them know you’re coming