Villa Montezuma Introductory Video by the FOVM and City TV (Scroll over the text above to see the link for this nine-minute introduction to the museum, created by the FOVM and City TV.)

The Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc. (FOVM) is a 501-c-3 organization solely devoted to the magnificent Villa Montezuma, San Diego’s amazing Queen Anne Victorian house museum and cultural center. The Villa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is owned by the City of San Diego and operated by the FOVM. Location: 1925 K St., San Diego, CA.

Over 50 Years as a Museum: In November 1972 the Villa Montezuma Museum opened to the public. The FOVM is honored to share this magnificent museum with you!

Tours are on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:00, 2:15, and 3:30 p.m. (3:30 tour time held for large groups; details below). Note: Due to restoration work the museum may be closed on some Fridays which is why we request your reservation. We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but grateful for the restoration! Anyone intending to visit should text us at 619-233-8833 to be sure there is room on the tour your wish to attend. Note that the grounds of the Villa Montezuma are not open to the public and no trespassing is allowed at any time.

NOTE: The 2025 parking law in California mandates no parking within 20 feet of a stop sign or crosswalk: If parking on K Street near 20th Street please leave the “first spot” empty from the stop sign to comply with this new law. As of March 1, 2025, the SDPD is issuing $117 tickets.

Spiritualism & Lantern Light tour of the Villa Montezuma with historian Charles Sprately! Two dates, Saturday, September 13, & Friday, October 10, 8:00 p.m.,$35

Buy Tickets here.

Step inside the mysterious Villa Montezuma by lantern light. This intimate evening tour explores the life of Jesse Shepard and shows you his home the way he saw it. You’ll understand the true history of Spiritualism (and not how Hollywood portrayed it). Ages 12+. Tour length: one hour 20 minutes. Charles’ book, “Piercing the Veil: Examining San Diego’s Haunted History,” will be available for a $15 donation.

Cinballera Salon: Monday, September 22 “Lady of the Ring and Songs of Middle Earth”! $25 Buy Tickets here.

Songs inspired by Lord of the Rings and J.R.R. Tolkien in honor of Hobbit Day (the birthday of hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins)! This is an original chamber opera featuring an assortment of art songs in English and Elvish to tell the story of how a simple group of hobbits saved Middle Earth from the One Ring. The centerpiece of the music is a song cycle “The Road Goes Ever On,” which Tolkien himself authorized and co-wrote with composer Donald Swann. The epic saga is condensed to the simplest tale, featuring only the characters of Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum, Bilbo Baggins (who serves as narrator), and the Lady of the Ring. The other portion of the Salon will feature assorted songs and arias which convey the mood of Middle Earth including Wagner excerpts, folk songs, and more. Buy tickets online with the link above to guarantee your seat!

The talented artists of Cinballera (who love cinema, ballet and opera) return to the Villa Montezuma each month for a marvelous evening of opera for those who want to hear great singing in a more intimate setting. Open seating in the gorgeous Music Room is limited to 32 guests. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., performances are from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Questions? Emailing our organizations at admin@cinballera.org and the Friends of the Villa Montezuma at FOVM@VillaMontezumaMuseum.org. After we pay the pianist and performers the proceeds are shared between the two nonprofit organizations. Bonus: Guests get to return to see the entire museum! Free street parking in this residential neighborhood. (Park tight, not suburban!) Bring a friend to these magical evenings!

Write Out Loud: “Poe & More Poe”! Six dates, three performances per day, Oct. 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 31 & Nov. 1, $30

Buy Tickets Here

A chilling evening of Edgar Allen Poe, immersed in the beautiful Victorian backdrop of Villa montezuma. Experience the gripping imagery of the Gothic master of the mysterious and macabre shared by some of San Diego’s most talented performers. Three performances each night, at 6:00, 7:30, and 9:00 p.m. Reserve early. Space is limited and performances frequently sell out. Cost: $30 per person. Use the link above or call Write Out Loud at 619-297-8953. See more at Write Out Loud.

Plein Air Painters: Would your group like to paint at the Villa Montezuma Museum?

We love to support the arts and have been delighted to host many groups to paint both outside and inside the museum. For a nominal donation per painter we invite you to paint on a day and time that will not have road work, street construction, or impactful exterior restoration work going on. You’ll be able to see the gorgeous interior with your group and have access to the facilities and grounds. Please note: the museum grounds are not “parkland” and are not accessible if not working with the FOVM; trespassing is not allowed. You are welcome to enjoy the view of the Villa Montezuma Museum from the public right of way (but do allow for pedestrian access). Text us at 619-233-8833 to make your arrangements to paint on site!

Discover Magazine bridal shoot at the Villa! See the July 2024 issue here.

The Villa Montezuma Museum is a gorgeous place for a small wedding! See just how beautiful with the delightful photos by Bryan Dahl. Click on the link above (see the museum starting on page 25). The interior scenes with the beautiful woodwork and stained glass are Jesse Shepard’s Palace of the Arts!

Thank You to former State Senator Ben Hueso: Thanks to his leadership, the State of California has allocated $5,000,000 for the restoration of the magnificent Villa Montezuma Museum. The FOVM looks forward to working with the City to make the Villa’s exterior gorgeous again. Restoration started in spring 2025.

VILLA MONTEZUMA MUSEUM TOUR DETAILS: You can see the entire magnificent, mysterious Villa Montezuma Museum! Tours are on most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tour times are at 1:00, 2:15, and (for large booked group tours) 3:30 p.m. All tours are guided. Regular admission costs per person:

1. -Adults: $15
   

2. -Active Duty Military, Seniors 65+, and students with ID: $12
   

3. -Children 12 and under: free with a paid adult
   

4. -Group rates for groups of eight or more adults: $10
   

School groups: contact us for special education rates

Your admission fee helps us cover the costs of maintenance and create events at the Villa Montezuma Museum!

Reserve your museum tour spot now!

1) Please reserve your time slot via texting us at 619-233-8833.

2) Museum location: 1925 K Street, corner of 20th & K, in the Sherman Heights Historic District of San Diego, just east of downtown and the East Village. This is a residential neighborhood with no-cost parking near the Villa in the neighborhood in the daytime.

3) Please bring cash to pay for your admission. Please, no bills over $20. We don’t take credit cards or other forms of payment.

There is no eating, drinking, photography, recording or use of apps allowed inside this historic site. Please, no sharp heels to protect the historic floors. Any strollers, suitcases, backpacks, and  large bags of any kind will need to remain in the front lobby.

We’re not haunted, we’re enchanted! We’re a beautiful historic site. We do not do paranormal investigations. We do partner with the Haunted San Diego Tours to share some of the real history of the mysterious Jesse Shepard!

One Man, Two Names, Two Different Careers

The Villa Montezuma is the Historic Jesse Shepard/”Francis Grierson” House. 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. Book your tour of the magnificent Villa today!

Ongoing Restoration

Thank you to our former State Senator Ben Hueso for getting restoration funding for the City of San Diego (owner of this historic site). Restoration work started in Spring 2025. The rooftop “gargoyles” are removed for restoration and the interior stained glass windows over the doorways are being restored. The landscaping has been cut back so we can access the historic fence. Your museum admission fee helps the Friends of the Villa Montezuma pay for things the grant does not cover, and helps produce educational events and achieve our maintenance goals. You’re invited to join the FOVM to make a difference in the Villa’s future.

The FOVM mailing address (NOT THE LOCATION OF THE MUSEUM):

FOVM, Inc.

657 20th Street

San Diego, CA 92102-2810

PHYSICAL location of the museum (do not mail to the museum):

corner of 20th & K Streets (for GPS, use 1925 K Street)

Sherman Heights Historic District, San Diego, CA 92102

Questions? Text us or call us: 619-233-8833.

Facebook: Friends of the Villa Montezuma, Inc. (has our logo!)

Instagram: villamontezumamuseum (has the Sappho window!)