Whether your interest is in adobe homes, history, period 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, as well as the Sikes Adobe Homestead, one of the oldest adobe structures in San Diego County.
“The style of the homes ranges from original hacienda to mid-century modern, Spanish colonial and hacienda,” said Valorie McClelland, an Adobe Heritage Association volunteer. “The houses were 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 houses 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 tend to be one-story, spread out ranch-style.
The Poway tour home was built in 1973 by Larry Weir of Weir Brothers Construction.
“Larry was quite the talent; there are 45 arches in the house, including arched windows and doors and curved walls,” said McClelland.
The house still has a round tower, with the living room and dining room built around it.
“Another memorable feature of the home is a stone seat; the house was built around a large stone, which Weir incorporated into the design,” said McClelland.
Three Escondido houses appear on the tour, and each one is different.
Breathtaking views of the San Pasqual Valley are just one of the
features of an Escondido house on this year’s tour. Note the large arched window flanked by two chairs.
(Don Bartletti)
A hacienda-style lodge overlooking the San Pasqual Valley was built in the 1970s. The house is built around a backyard with multiple doors along the interior hallway to the outside, she said.
A 1964 lodge built in a neighborhood of CC&Rs, it is unlike most adobes in that it features a mid-century modern design.
“It is a smaller house, but built as an MCM and decorated as such. It also has a nice flow between the interior and exterior,” said McClelland.
A third George Patterson-designed Escondido home is the newest home on the tour. Built in 1981, the house has arches throughout, as well as a “wonderful” pool and outdoor area.
An outdoor oasis enhances the beauty of an Escondido adobe home. Note the pool and agaves.
(Don Barletti)
The homeowner decorated the adobe with Victorian-era furniture inherited from her grandmother, including light fixtures.
After purchasing their tickets online, guests will start their tour at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead. The structure is at the beginning of the Escondido trail to San Dieguito County Park.
Built in 1868 by Zenas Sikes, Sikes Adobe is a California Historic Landmark and a San Diego City Historic Site. The one-room structure was home to Sikes, his wife and their six children for four years before being expanded by the owners.
The house is one of the oldest structures in the municipality and one of the few that still exist in adobe.
The Witch Creek Fire of 2007 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 Bartlett
)
The tour is self-guided and the houses can be viewed in any order.
Docents at each location will be able to provide information about the history and architectural features of the properties, as well as answer questions. McClelland said there are five docents for each property, and they can describe each home’s unique features.
“For example, because of their thickness, adobe walls cannot be easily moved. In the case of home renovations, faculty members explain how the home has been updated for more modern lifestyles,” said McCelland.
The Adobe Home Tour is produced by the San Diego Adobe Heritage Association. Proceeds support the Escondido History Center.
As the tour features private homes, there may be limited parking at some locations. There may be uneven surfaces, steep walkways, narrow entrances and stairs. Pets are not allowed.
Photos can only be taken outside the residences; no videos.
The tour is from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets are $32; advance purchase is encouraged. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit: http://adobehometour. com, or contact the Escondido History Center at 760-743-8207.