Historic Home Painting San Diego
First just a bit of history about San Diego:
Some 10,000 years ago ancient Asians traveled across the Bering Strait and crossed over into the northern parts of the Americas. They would run into the Kumeyaay natives and begin to mix with the original residents. They would make this land their home till 1542 when explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo would land on the shore and claim the area for Spain. Therefore, he would name it San Miguel. It’s name would later become San Diego in 1602 when explorer Sebastian Vizcaino would rename it after the patron of his flagship, San Diego de Alcalá.

Alonzo Horton
San Diego owes it’s name to Vizcaino but Alonzo Horton is responsible for making it a city. He would help start San Diego’s first Chamber of Commerce and first park which is the famous Balboa Park today. The popular Horton Plaza honors its namesake in the downtown San Diego area.
San Diego would be the smallest city to ever host a world fair. However it did hold the distinction of being the first American port-of-call. Two decades later another world fair would find itself hosted by America’s Finest City as the California Pacific International Exposition would make use of the buildings built for the previous expo. As a result, those buildings would become permanent fixtures and their Spanish styling would shape many of the Baroque structures that would later fill most of the area around Balboa Park.
Historic Homes San Diego
San Diego is home to a wide range of architectural styles:
Spanish Colonial
Spanish Colonial homes are frequently single story. They are characterized by:
- thick stucco-clad walls
- wood support beams
- flat roofs
- inner courtyards
- terracotta tiles
In San Diego these can predominantly be found in La Mesa, Mission Hills, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Point Loma, National City, and Kensington.
Tudor Revival
You can easily identify a Tudor Revival by their:
- multi-paned windows
- pitched roofs
- focal chimneys
- verhangs
- timber decorated exteriors
There was a big revival of the Tudor style home in the first half of the 1900’s. Look for this style in Bankers Hill, Kensington, and Coronado. Historic Home Painting is important for these tudor homes.
Prairie Style
These homes were built primarily by Frank Lloyd Wright and originating in the mid west. Consequently, Prairie Style homes are known for:
- open flowing spaces
- horizontal lines, and horizontal bands of windows
- low-pitched roofs
- wide eaves
Mission Hills is where this style home was built between 1910 and 1920.
Mid-Century Modern
The Midcentury modern architectural style began with the beliefs of social change and a better society in the post-World War II era. However this style really began in the 1930s up until the late 1970s. These homes can be found in many neighborhoods like:
- La Jolla
- Coastal San Diego
- Old Del Mar
Craftsman Bungalow
The Greene brothers in Pasadena California were inspired by the English Arts and Crafts movement. It all began with the Japanese architecture they saw at the World’s Columbian Exhibition when they began designing Craftsman homes. These Craftsman Bungalow homes are famous for:
- their low-pitched gabled roofs
- partially paned front doors
- built-in cabinetry
- single dormers
- tapered columns
- multi-paned windows
- beams under deep roof eaves, and front porches.
Especially relevant examples of these historic homes can be found predominantly in the Park West, Point Loma, Golden Hill, Kensington, and around the North Park area of San Diego.
Victorian
Sprinkled throughout San Diego you will notice Victorian homes. The outstanding features are:
- towers, turrets, decorative trim, stained glass, and spindles.
- narrow and tall with an asymmetrical design and large windows
Art Deco
Originating from an Exposition in Paris in 1925, Art Deco designs are also referred to as style moderne. These homes feature:
- block-like construction
- sleek linear appearance
- geometrical design accents
Most noteworthy are those homes located in La Mesa, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, and National City.
How should I maintain a historic home? Historic Home Painting is important!
- Increased value of your historic San Diego home.
- Defense from winter winds and scorching summer sun.
- Protection from mold and mildew.
- Saving wood from cracking and splintering.
- Protection from termites.
- Adds life to external siding
Historic Home Painting Made Easy
Because of our experience with historic home painting, Local San Diego Painting will be able to provide a comprehensive quote and supply the quality of paint that can deliver these benefits done by certified experts. If you’re ready to update your home and raise its curb appeal give us a call. 619.569.3299
Related Links:
- Pitfalls to avoid when considering the purchase of a historic home
- Historical Resources Regulations and Guidelines
- View the benefits and responsibilities for historical sites, cultural landscapes and archaeological sites
- Find Out About Historical Surveys — What is a historical survey?
- Lead Paint & Lead Law
- Interior & Exterior House Painter