Whether you’re interested in adobe homes, history, historic architecture, or vintage decor, this year’s Adobe Home Tour has something to offer.
The tour on Sunday, March 26 will feature four homes: one in Poway and three in Escondido, plus the Sikes Adobe Homestead, one of the oldest adobe structures in San Diego County.
“The style of the houses ranges from original farmhouse to modern, Spanish-Colonial, and mid-century hacienda,” says Valorie McClelland, a volunteer with the Adobe Heritage Association. “The houses were each built between 1964 and 1981 by well-known Adobe architects such as Jack Weir, Larry Weir and George Patterson.”
This is the 10th year of the tour featuring homes made from adobe bricks.
“Adobe bricks are typically 16 inches thick, 8 inches long and 4 inches high,” McClelland said. “The bricks form the thermal insulation of the houses.”
She said most adobe homes are mostly one-story, sprawling ranch-style homes.
The Poway tour home was built in 1973 by Larry Weir of Weir Brothers Construction.
“Larry had quite a bit of flair; there are 45 arches in the house, including arched windows and doorways and arched walls,” McClelland said.
The house even has a round turret, around which the living and dining room is built.
“Another memorable feature of the house is a rock bench; the house is built around a large boulder, which Weir incorporated into the design,” McClelland said.
There are three Escondido houses on the tour, and each is different.
Expansive views of the San Pasqual Valley are just one of them
characteristics of an Escondido house on this year’s tour. Note the large arched window flanked by two chairs.
(Don Bartletti)
In 1970, a hacienda-style tour house was built overlooking the San Pasqual Valley. The house is built around a backyard with several doors along the interior hallway to the outside, she said.
A 1964 tour house built in a neighborhood of CC&Rs is unlike most adobes in that it has a Mid-Century Modern design.
“It is a smaller house, but built like an MCM and furnished as such. It also has a nice flow between indoors and outdoors,” McClelland said.
A third Escondido house, designed by George Patterson, is the newest house on the tour. Built in 1981, the house has arches throughout, as well as a “gorgeous” pool and outdoor area.
An outdoor oasis adds to the beauty of an Escondido adobe home. Note the pool and the agaves.
(Don Barletti)
The homeowner decorated the adobe with Victorian-era furniture she inherited from her grandmother, including light fixtures.
After purchasing their tickets online, visitors begin the tour at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead. The structure is located on the Escondido Trail to San Dieguito County Park.
Built in 1868 by Zenas Sikes, the Sikes Adobe is a California Point of Historic Interest and a Historic Site of the City of San Diego. The one-room structure was the home of Sikes, his wife, and their six children for four years before being expanded by the homeowners.
The house is one of the oldest buildings in the county and one of the few remaining adobes.
The 2007 Witch Creek fire destroyed the structure, except for the adobe walls. Restoration and reconstruction of the home was a multi-year project of the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority.
The Sikes Adobe Historic Homestead was built in 1872.
(Don Bartletti
)
The tour is self-guided and the houses can be viewed in any order.
Docents at each site can provide information about the history and architectural features of the properties and answer questions. McClelland said there are five tutors for each home and they can describe each home’s unique features.
“Adobe walls, for example, are not easy to move due to their thickness. In the case of home renovations, educators explain how the home has been adapted for a more modern lifestyle,” McCelland said.
The Adobe Home Tour is produced by the San Diego Adobe Heritage Association. Proceeds support the Escondido History Center.
As the tour involves private residences, there may be limited parking at some locations. There may be uneven surfaces, steep walkways, narrow entrances and stairs. Pets are not allowed.
Photos may only be taken outside the residences; no videos.
The tour is from 10:30am to 4:00pm Tickets are $32; pre-purchase is encouraged. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit: http://adobehometour. com, or contact the Escondido History Center at 760-743-8207.