We’ve provided some downloadable resources and social media promotional tools for you to help spread the word about Doors Open California! Media inquiries can be directed to cpf@californiapreservation.org or by dialing 415.495.0349.

Doors Open California is a signature statewide event that draws over 1,000 participants who will get rare & special access to amazing architecture and hidden histories weekends in September. As a sponsor, you will be highlighted as a supporter of the largest statewide celebration of historic places. Walking tours, hidden vaults of local museums, inaccessible areas of historic buildings, or enlightening stories – it’s a chance to experience history first-hand. Over 80 amazing places in California will be highlighted. 

Our Sponsors are invited to join us in supporting our third-ever Doors Open California event, where local, nonprofit, government, and enterprise partners will showcase sites in 50+ distinct cities in all corners of California. 

BECOME A DOORS OPEN SPONSOR

Click here or on the thumbnail below for the 2025 sponsorship brochure

Click Here to Submit your Sponsorship Commitment Online

Doors Open California Partners are critical to making this event creative, inclusive, and compelling. Partners could be nonprofit organizations, firms, local governments, educational institutions, museums, property owners, or anyone interested in sharing a special, unique place in their community that is worth recognizing and protecting.

Partners create or provide access to places that typically aren’t accessed by the public, and they may share histories that aren’t typically told. Partners, in turn, tap into CPF’s international audience of more than 40,000 supporters and followers. Partners may also solicit Doors Open attendees to support their own efforts – as volunteers, donors, or other types of supporters.

Ways to Partner with Doors Open…

Submit a Proposal for Doors Open 2025

We would love to hear your ideas! This simple form is meant to be completed in less than five minutes. For full details, visit: https://californiapreservation.org/doca/ideas/

Sign Up as an Affiliated Local Business

Local businesses near Doors Open Sites can choose to sponsor Doors Open – or, if they’d like to be included on participant itineraries, they can offer a special discount or gift to registered Doors Open participants wielding a wrist band. 

September 6 – 7 (Sierra Nevada, Gold Country, and Eastern California)

City: Alleghany

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Alleghany’s Historical Theater
9/6 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Alleghany is the home of the Original Sixteen to One Mine, one of the longest operating mines in the U.S. The town had a little boom in the 1930s during the great depression. The 1940 census recorded a population of around 500. By 1970 that figure was 125 and the last two census’ (2020 and 2010) recorded around 60 people. Pack a lunch, visit the museum, old community theater and historical cemetery. The theater is not usually open to the public, but will be for this event.

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City: Forest City

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Gold Rush Boogie: Forest City Dance Hall
9/6 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Forest City is a National Register Historic District located in Sierra County. At 4,600 feet elevation, its mines were located on the Great Blue Lead, with highest population and mining activity between 1850-1880. Now, it is almost a ghost town. The Forest City Historical Association manages the Dance Hall, the last remaining large commercial structure, in authentic state, along with photo displays and a museum area. A self-guided walking tour is available to view the historic district.

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City: Truckee

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Outlaw Jail: Truckee’s Steel Fortress
9/6 and/or 9/7 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Truckee’s 1875 stone jail operated until 1964 and is one of the West’s few remaining 19th-century jails. Built with 32-inch-thick stone walls and ceilings reinforced with plate steel and railroad tracks, it earned a reputation as an unbreakable stronghold. After a daring 1904 escape, the jail was upgraded with steel-lined rooms and a second story. Today, it’s a museum displaying artifacts from Truckee’s law enforcement past, logging industry, and early ski culture. Local lore hints at notorious visitors, but the real draw is the authentic Old West atmosphere inside this Point of Historical Interest.

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City: Sierra City

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Sierra City’s Gold Stamp Mill
9/6 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Located on Highway 49 in historic Sierra City, the Kentucky Mine Museum offers a rare, fully operational stamp mill experience. Guided tours lead visitors through a recreated blacksmith shop, a miner’s cabin, and into the towering 1888 stamp mill—one of the best preserved in California. Originally built for the Kentucky Consolidated Gold Mining Company, the mill was rebuilt in the 1920s by Emil and Adolph Loeffler using salvaged equipment. Powered by two Pelton water wheels, the mill’s heavy iron stamps once crushed ore for gold extraction. The Loeffler family operated the site until 1953, and today it stands as a vivid reminder of Sierra County’s mining heritage. Exhibits feature mining artifacts and family stories, including the dramatic 1944 accident that claimed Adolph Loeffler’s life. Step back into the Gold Rush era and hear the thunder of stamps in action at this authentic site.

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City: Mariposa

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Gold Rush Relic: The Canepa House & Pendula Store
9/ 6 – 9/7 | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

This 1850s adobe and adjoining storefront – part of Mariposa’s historic district – tell the story of Gold Rush-era resilience. Saved from decay by a devoted owner (who recently invested $5K in clearing overgrowth), the property’s thick walls and rustic timbers whisper of miners, merchants, and Mariposa’s boomtown past. Peek into the Pendula Store, once a hub for prospectors, and learn about the ongoing push for landmark status.

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September 13 – 14 (Los Angeles, San Diego, Pasadena, and Inland Empire)

City: Desert Hot Springs

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum: A Man’s Vision in Desert
9/13 | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Doors Open California participants will receive free and special access to this marvel of a museum in Desert Hot Springs. Cabot’s Pueblo was built beginning in 1941 and was always intended to be a museum in addition to the residence for Cabot and Portia Yerxa. The Hopi-inspired building is hand-made and created from reclaimed and found materials from throughout the Coachella Valley. Cabot used recovered lumber from his original homestead built in 1914 on the other end of Miracle Hill. Additionally, he purchased abandoned cabins and dismantled them to use the materials for the pueblo, going so far as to straighten out used nails. Filled with Native American art and artifacts, souvenirs of Cabot’s travels around the world,  and Cabot’s own works of art, the Pueblo Museum officially opened to the public in 1950. The Pueblo has four stories, is 5,000 square feet, and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows, 30 rooflines, and 65 doors.

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City: Desert Hot Springs

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Rock House Tour
9/13 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

We cordially invite you to embark on a tour of our recently acquired Rock House, a testament to the generosity of our members and volunteers. Constructed in 1946 by Lee Watkins, this vernacular building served as his residence for many years. The woodwork and all its components were meticulously crafted and are preserved in their original state. This is also the new home of our Historical Society and its archives. Our exhibits and photographs offer a captivating glimpse into life in Desert Hot Springs over the years. Furthermore, we have established a demonstration garden that showcases the art of cultivating succulent and nourishing produce within the arid environment.

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City: Riverside

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Riverside’s Recycled Manor: The Peter J. Weber House
9/13 – 9/14 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Peter J. Weber was lead designer for Riverside architect G. Stanley Wilson. The design for his family home was inspired by his travels in Europe and North Africa during a 14-month honeymoon with his wife, Clara. The house features a variety of salvaged materials, reflecting the economic constraints of the Great Depression era. Notably, bricks from the demolished Grant School, damaged in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, were repurposed for the home’s construction. The interior showcases Weber’s craftsmanship, with hand-carved woodwork, and custom cabinetry. A circa 1935 solar-powered rooftop water heater, ingeniously crafted from repurposed car windshields, was also part of the home’s design. Once threatened with demolition, the house stands as a testament to the power of local preservation advocacy.

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City: San Bernardino

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Enterprise: The Inland Empire’s First Skyscraper
9/13 | 11:15 AM to 7:15 PM

Join a guided tour of the iconic 1927 Enterprise Building, the Inland Empire’s first skyscraper and a historic landmark in downtown San Bernardino. Built by visionary entrepreneur John Andreson, the five-story Modern Classical building is a symbol of the region’s financial beginnings. The tour, led by the building’s Creative Director, offers an in-depth look at its 156-year history, showcasing architectural details, historical photographs, and artifacts. Explore the building’s unique design, including decorative tiles and marbles, and learn about its pivotal role in shaping the local economy.

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City: Indian Wells

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Desert Oasis: The Cavanaugh Adobe
9/13 – 9/14

The Cavanagh Adobe, a historic structure in Indian Wells, California, was originally built in 1922 and surrounded by twenty acres of date palm groves. The Cavanagh brothers, the original builders, played a significant role in the local date palm industry, even sending date palm stock to help re-establish populations in the Middle East.

One of Indian Wells’ first homes, this adobe survived desert extremes to become Historic Landmark #1. Architect Michael Burch and Diane Wilk’s restoration preserved its hand-troweled walls and gardens – a rare example of early Coachella Valley homesteading.

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City: Los Angeles

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Time Warp: Union Theatre & Panorama
9/13 | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

LA’s oldest purpose-built movie house (1910) now hosts a 1 90-foot in circumfrence painted panorama of 1920s Shenyang – the West Coast’s only example of this Victorian-style art form. Climb into the rotunda to be surrounded by the 10-foot-tall artwork, then explore the theatre’s neon ‘orange ball’ sign that guided silent-film audiences.

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City: Long Beach

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Coastal Time Machine: Architecture at Rancho Los Alamitos
9/13 | 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Rancho Los Alamitos sits atop the ancestral lands of the Tongva people and their village of Puvuun’nga. During the Spanish colonial period, it was part of California’s largest and earliest land concession (grant). It was later ranched by Mexican and American settlers and their workers and tenants from all over the world. Today, the Rancho explores the interaction between people and place, culture and environment, past and present, to create a greater understanding of the evolution of Southern California and its place in today’s world. The site’s history and the lives of its owners and occupants make it a perfect metaphor for the Southern California experience. The 7.5-acre historic resource comprises:

The historic ranch house with a circa 1800 adobe home completely encapsulated within later additions over the following 130 years.

Four acres of nationally significant gardens designed by prominent early 20th-century landscape architects and horticulturists, including Olmsted Brothers, Florence Yoch, William Hertrich, Paul Howard, and Allen Chickering.

A barnyard of early 20th-century barns and farm buildings stocked with farm animals, including a working blacksmith shop.

A visitor center, a museum shop, and a research archive.

The Tour:

Rancho Los Alamitos will offer a special guided tour as part of Doors Open California. This tour will focus on the site’s built environment and history, moving from the historic barnyard to the historic Ranch House.  The tour will last approximately an hour and a half and take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 13, 2025. We suggest arriving 15 minutes early to check in.

Parking:

Rancho Los Alamitos is located at 6400 Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach, CA, 90803, and parking is free. Enter through the gate at the bottom of the hill and proceed through the gated community to the top.

Check-In:

When you arrive, please check in at the Rancho Center front desk and let the greeter know you are there for the Doors Open California Architecture Tour.

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City: Los Angeles

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Time Capsule: Neutra’s Family Sanctuary
9/13 | 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Enter the 1951 Reunion House preserved as Richard Neutra’s family left it. See Dion Neutra’s library, vintage Knoll furniture, and the architect’s drafting tools. Experience signature ‘biorealism’ features: spider-leg supports, mitered glass corners, and integrated fountain. Hourly tours for 15 guests; park on Silverlake Blvd.

Don’t miss this unforgettable journey into the lived legacy of one of modernism’s most iconic families.

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City: Los Angeles

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

The Ebell’s Roaring ’20s Revival
9/14 | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

L.A.’s 1927 women’s club (where Amelia Earhart spoke) opens its Moroccan Room and Wilshire Ebell Theatre. Step behind the scenes of Hollywood history with Filmed at The Ebell, an all-new guided tour of The Ebell of Los Angeles and the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. Discover how this iconic women-led campus has quietly starred in over a century of film and television—from Break of Hearts with Katharine Hepburn, to Forrest Gump, to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Docents share tales of suffragette meetings and the secret tunnel to the now-gone Brown Derby.

Attendees will be able to explore the main building, the luscious garden & courtyard and the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, which together comprise the breathtaking 94,000 square foot campus, a noted architectural treasure recognized as a Los Angeles Cultural Monument and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Guests may reserve a spot for either the 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM tour. Each 90-minute walking tour is limited to 50 participants (100 total for the day) and includes multiple staircases. If you have mobility considerations, please reach out to Amelia at amelia@ebellofla.org so we can discuss accommodations. Please note that due to the historic nature of the building, not all areas are fully ADA accessible.

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City: Los Angeles

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Richard Neutra’s Midcentury Lab
9/13 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Attendees will see the Neutra Office constructed originally as the Planning Professionals Building in 1950. The office housed Neutra and Alexander’s combined practice during their partnership. The building features a number of character defining features associated with Mid-Century Modern architecture as well as some unique features of the architecture of Richard Neutra. The Building also has two office apartments (not accessible for this tour, but viewable via a QR code with video) offering insight into an early live/work, MFR, project by a master Modern architect.

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City: Los Angeles

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Where Echoes Gather: The Grand Rotunda of Fairfax High
9/13 and/or 9/14 | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

The rotunda at Fairfax High School, located at 7850 Melrose Avenue, stands as a testament to the school’s rich history and architectural heritage. Dedicated in 1938, this Spanish Colonial Revival structure was part of the original campus designed by the architectural firm Parkinson & Parkinson. The rotunda features intricate tile work and a statue of Abraham Lincoln, reflecting the school’s commitment to honoring historical figures and fostering civic pride .

In 1966, the original buildings were demolished to comply with earthquake safety standards, but the rotunda and the D.S. Swan Auditorium were preserved and retrofitted, ensuring their continued use in the school’s modern campus . Today, the rotunda remains a central feature of Fairfax High School, serving as a gathering place for students and a symbol of the school’s enduring legacy.

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City: Los angeles

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Deco Dreams: Downtown LA’s Architectural Jazz
9/14 | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Glide past gilded lobbies and geometric marvels on this tour of DTLA’s Art Deco icons. The Eastern Columbia Building’s turquoise terra-cotta and the CalEdison’s 1931 opulence reveal how L.A. embraced the Jazz Age. Guides share tales of craftsmen who molded these landmarks – like the Cicada Club’s hidden speakeasy past.

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City: Los Angeles

 NEW THIS YEAR!

1931 Frozen in Time: The CalEdison Lobby
9/14 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Step into Downtown LA’s best-preserved Art Deco lobby, where black marble floors reflect gilded elevator doors and a ceiling mural of ‘the Spirit of Light.’ The 4th-floor balcony – rarely open – offers views of Pershing Square exactly as 1930s tycoons saw it. Fun fact: The building’s clock has kept perfect time for 90 years.

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City: Long Beach

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Elmer Grey’s Hidden Cathedral: 440 Elm
9/14 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The 1913 First Church of Christ Scientist astonishes with 30-foot coffered ceilings and a 2,500-pipe organ. Architect Elmer Grey (Beverly Hills Hotel) designed this Long Beach landmark with Moroccan tilework and a 7,000 sq ft ballroom. The most impressive room is the Sanctuary, with 30′ coffered ceilings, leaded-stained glass doors, a 7000 sq ft ballroom, 2 story stained glass, and a hand-carved organ grill covering a 2500 pipe Murray-Harris organ. Learn how its stained glass survived earthquakes to become an events venue.

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City: Orange

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Artisans of Light: Historic Fixture Tour
9/13 | 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Step inside the Old California lighting workshop, where period-accurate lighting fixtures are reproduced! Tour the factory where artisans work on period-accurate fixtures for landmarks like the Gamble House and Union Station. Tours at 8am, 10am, and 12pm (max 20 guests).It’s likely there will be a preservation architect on site to talk about the design process for addition or renovations to historic buildings.

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City: San Pedro

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Cold War to Nature Preserve
9/13 | 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Join us on Sat, Sept 13 at 1pm for a walking (approx. 1 mile) tour of the Preserve’s restored coastal sage habitat and historic military structures.

A 1960s Nike missile assembly building now houses tide pool exhibits. The bunker tour reveals graffiti from soldiers awaiting Soviet nukes, while the restored coastal sage scrub habitat hides foundations of WWII artillery emplacements. Look for the ‘ghost road’ of paved-over gun mounts.

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City: Los Angeles

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Bank to Books: Spring Arts Tower’s Reinvention
9/14 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Crocker National Bank’s 1920s Art Deco HQ now houses LA’s last indie bookstore. Marvel at the original vault doors repurposed as art installations and the 14-foot chandelier that once watched over million-dollar deposits. Architects will point out the building’s clever ‘banker’s light’ system – still functional.

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City: owned by the La Puente Valley Historical Society.

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Bridges to Early San Gabriel Valley History: Workman & Rowland Houses
9/13 – 9/14 | 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The Rowland and Workman families, of American, British and New Mexican background, owned the Rancho La Puente, comprising nearly 50,000 acres of the eastern San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles, from the early 1840s to the mid 1870s. This joint tour will include rare “behind the scenes” looks at the 1842 Workman family adobe, with circa 1870 brick additions, and the 1855 brick Rowland House (this latter being the oldest surviving brick structure in southern California.) Attendees will discover the remarkable back stories of family members, the La Puente rancho and greater Los Angeles during the transition years from the Mexican to the American periods, as well as enjoy these early architectural gems.

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City: Newport Beach

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Richard Neutra’s Healing Architecture at his Medical Office Complex
9/14 | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM

This 20,000-square-foot medical office complex, designed by Richard Neutra in 1963, exemplifies his innovative approach to healthcare architecture. The building integrates outdoor gardens and water features with clinical spaces, reflecting Neutra’s belief in nature’s role in patient well-being. The 2023 restoration by Burnham-Ward Properties and Shubin Donaldson reinstated original design elements, including floor-to-ceiling windows and a central courtyard. Located in Newport Beach, the property is noted for its modular exam rooms and minimalist aesthetic. Tours highlight Neutra’s use of industrial materials like steel and glass to create a serene, functional environment. There is one tour for this program at 9 AM.

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City: Ojai

 NEW THIS YEAR!

A Retirement Revolution: The Legacy of Grey Gables of Ojai
9/14 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

In The Gables meeting hall, participants will get a half-hour presentation about Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the founder of Grey Gables of Ojai, the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA), and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Presenter is local historian, Craig Walker, who will also describe how America’s modern retirement lifestyle was developed at Grey Gables. Following the talk, participants will take a half-hour tour of the facility, which is remarkably similar to when it was headquarters for NRTA and AARP in the 1950s and 1960s. A booklet is available (The Dignity They Deserve) that was funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The tour will be led by one of the authors and a representative of the current owners. The Doors Open event starts at 10 am and concludes at 12 pm.

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City: Piru

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Myth and Reality at Ramona’s Real-Life Setting
9/14 | 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

This 1853 rancho inspired Helen Hunt Jackson’s ‘Ramona’ – see the chapel where the novel’s wedding scene unfolded. The newly opened archives reveal photos of Mary Pickford filming here in 1910. Don’t miss the ‘Myth Wall’ debunking Hollywood’s Spanish fantasy vs. Californio reality.

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City: Palos Verdes Estates

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Behind the Scenes in a Historic Seaside Library
9/13 | 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Myron Hunt’s 1929 Mediterranean Revival landmark—flanked by an Olmsted Brothers-designed garden—was the Peninsula’s first civic building. The reading room’s hand-stenciled beams echo local kelp forests, while original leaded-glass windows cast dappled light onto terrazzo floors. Outside, the ‘Moonlight Garden’ blooms with night-scented cereus, a 1920s horticultural trend. The adjacent Malaga Cove Plaza (National Register-listed) features its iconic tile fountain, where early residents gathered after library lectures. Docents highlight Hunt’s design quirks, like the study alcoves sized for ocean-view contemplation. Ask about the library’s original 1929 card catalog—still intact—which lists titles like ‘California Gardens’ by Lockwood de Forest, reflecting the Peninsula’s horticultural obsession.

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City: Santa Monica

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Hearst, Hollywood & Julia Morgan: Beach House Secrets
9/13 and 9/14 | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

The historic core of the Annenberg Community Beach House reflects the legacy of William Randolph Hearst, his paramour Marion Davies, and architect Julia Morgan, who created a resplendent beach estate in the 1920s that became a playground for Hollywood’s elite. The pool and guest house are the remaining elements of the estate and are among the few existing Julia Morgan structures in the Los Angeles region. The site, now owned by the state and operated by the city of Santa Monica, opened as the Annenberg Community Beach House in 2009. Revitalized and repurposed through a public-private partnership between the city of Santa Monica and Annenberg Foundation, the site combines historic preservation with complimentary new construction to create a public beach club, open to all. Santa Monica Conservancy docents provide interpretive tours and special events year-round.

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City: Santa Monica

 NEW THIS YEAR!

The Historic Shotgun House: Santa Monica’s Tiny Home Turned Landmark
9/13 – 9/14 | 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Step inside the historic Shotgun House! Saved from demolition by community activists, this structure stands as a prime example of adaptive reuse. Built in 1897, this “tiny home” and local landmark is one of the few surviving historic shotgun houses. The Shotgun House has a unique configuration that takes advantage of south light and ocean breezes. Now revitalized, it serves as the Santa Monica Conservancy’s headquarters, home to exhibits about local history and walking tours of Santa Monica.

At this tour you may view a miniature model of the Shotgun House in the Victorian era, learn more about the house’s original features, and explore Ocean Park history — including the region’s historic architecture and influential residents (e.g., Merle Norman, the Marquez Family).

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City: San Gabriel

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Mission San Gabriel: Rising from Ashes
9/13 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The 1771 mission’s post-fire restoration reveals hidden layers – original Tongva pigments under whitewash, earthquake repairs using railroad ties. The garden’s ‘mission grapes’ are descendants of Father Serra’s plantings. New exhibits explain how the 2020 arson accelerated preservation tech. This special tour will be led by members of the restoration team.

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City: Needles

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Route 66 Resurrection Tour
9/13 – 9/14 | TBA to TBA

Journey through the Mojave’s quirkiest preservation wins: a 1962 neon-lit truck stop turned artist colony, a Harvey House with its original Fred Harvey china, and Roy’s Motel’s Googie sign relit after 40 years. Guides share how NPS grants saved these icons – and where you can still get a vintage ’66 burger.

This weekend event will showcase multiple restored, reused, and/or preservation-in-progress sites along the California Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow National Scenic Byway. Attendees can take a guided motorcoach tour on Saturday and use their own cars on Sunday – visiting different properties each day, with speakers at each site. Participants can register for and attend one or both days’ tours; each tour leaves from Barstow. If they wish, participants can stay at a group-rate hotel in Barstow on Friday and/or Saturday nights.

On Saturday, bus tour stops will include:

– Roy’s (Amboy): An iconic motel / restaurant / gas station complex with a Googie style neon sign that has been restored and relit; a reopened gas station / gift shop; and plans for rehabbing and reopening the rest (with assistance from an NPS grant).

– Road Runner’s Retreat (Chambless): A long-vacant, 1962 truck stop featuring a large neon sign. An example of grassroots, hands-on preservation that has received multiple NPS grants for its ongoing work.

– El Garces (Needles): A restored, partially adaptively reused, 1908 railroad station and Harvey House.

– Claypool Building (Needles): A 1930-2002 hardware store that spent decades with its Art Deco facade hidden by a metal slipcover. Now restored and reused as a community college’s branch campus.

On Sunday, tour stops will include:

• Daggett: Multiple buildings reflecting the ghost town’s era as a railroad stop and supply point. One, the 1926 California Information Bureau Building, received a 2024 NPS grant toward its rehabilitation and upcoming reuse as a museum. Several are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the 1890 Alf’s Blacksmith Shop, designated in 2025; the architectural historian who authored that nomination (and two others in town) will speak.
• Newberry Springs: Legacy businesses that are seeking grants or undergoing other fundraising efforts for their rehabilitation
• Barstow: Casa Del Desierto, a 1911 train station / Harvey House hotel. Now adaptively reused with office space, two museums (open on Sunday), etc.

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City: Pasadena

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Prairie Style Secret: The Blinn House
9/13 | 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Step into Pasadena’s history with a behind-the-scenes tour of the 1906 Blinn House, formerly the Women’s City Club of Pasadena. Designed by renowned architect George Washington Maher, this Prairie-style home is the only known Maher residence west of the Mississippi. Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources, the Blinn House is a City of Pasadena landmark.

Explore this historic gem, now stewarded by Pasadena Heritage, and discover areas not typically open to the public on the second and third floors. Located in the Ford Place Historic District, a once-exclusive neighborhood, the Blinn House offers a glimpse into Pasadena’s early 20th-century past.

Guests will also receive a self-guided walking tour brochure of the Ford Place Historic District.

Wheelchair access is available on the first floor. For special accessibility needs, please contact Pasadena Heritage in advance.

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City: San Marino

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Adobe Resurrection: Michael White’s Legacy
9/13 | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Friends of the Michael White Adobe (FoMWA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of this historic landmark. Nestled in San Marino, the Michael White Adobe is one of just 38 remaining 19th-century adobe structures in LA County, offering a glimpse into the lives of early settlers and the region’s rich cultural heritage.

FoMWA works closely with the San Marino Unified School District and local leaders to protect and rehabilitate the building.

Join us for an exclusive open house to explore the adobe, typically closed to the public. Learn about its history, FoMWA’s preservation efforts, and exciting future plans, including updates on our Historic Structures Report. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience this significant Southern California landmark!

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City: South Pasadena

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Treasures Unlocked: South Pasadena’s Attic
9/13 – 9/14 | 11:00AM to 1:00PM

The South Pasadena Historical Museum is a little-known gem that has been illuminating local history for close to 40 years, housed in the oldest building in town (1886). Docents will be on hand to introduce visitors to special and unusual objects in the collection and archives. Situated at the South Pasadena station on the Metro A line, the museum is easy to find and located in a National Register-listed local commercial district that’s ideal for a weekend stroll.

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City: San Diego

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Villa Montezuma: Spiritualist’s Palace
9/13 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

This 1887 Queen Anne Victorian, built for spiritualist pianist Jesse Shepard, features stained glass portraits of Mozart and St. Cecilia that cast colored light across its music room. The séance chamber’s mirrored ceiling reflects candlelight—a dramatic touch for Shepard’s alleged spirit communications. While guides share tales of midnight concerts, the museum emphasizes its documented history as a Gilded Age salon for artists and occultists.

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City: Anderson

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Hidden Gem: Lim’s Cafe’s Untold Stories
9/13 | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Join us for a special event celebrating the rich history and untold stories of Lim’s Café, a beloved Redding institution that served the community for nearly 90 years. Explore the café’s legacy, from its humble beginnings in 1933 to its role as a gathering place for local families, including Native American communities.

This event will dive into the café’s unique fusion of American diner classics and Cantonese cuisine, and its nostalgic atmosphere, complete with neon signs and checkerboard floors. Discover the untold tales of the Lim family, their cultural impact, and the café’s importance during California’s timber boom.

Local historians and former patrons will share firsthand accounts of the café’s influence, while artifacts from the café’s final years will be on display. Don’t miss this chance to explore a hidden gem of Redding’s past and the stories that made Lim’s Café a cherished part of local history.

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September 20 – 21 (San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and San Jose Areas)

City: FREMONT

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Big House / Bunkhouse
9/21 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

A History Mystery solved: the 1917 remodel of the 1876 Shinn Ranch House

From a few dusty clues in the archives, we knew that H.A. Minton was the architect of a 1917 remodel of the 1876 Shinn Ranch “Big House.” We were extremely surprised to find that Columbia University had nine plans for the remodel. What would the plans tell us, we wondered? We received the plans recently. One room was turned into a charming Colonial Revival style dining room, electricity was brought in, the old ranch kitchen was modernized, and much more. Tour with plans in hand.

The Last Bunkhouse of the Shinn Ranch China Camp.

By some estimates, the bunkhouse was built in 1917. There are still many mysteries surrounding the building. The Shinn archives give us many clues about the Chinese workers on the Shinn Ranch. For several years, a team of Fremont citizens have been researching, writing historical context, and making connections to preserve this fragile building in the park. Come for an update and talk to the team. See the exhibit in the Shinn House Museum.

The site is in process of applying for the National Register of Historic Places.

Hours and details may change. Please check our website closer to the date. https://www.historicshinnhouse.org/home

Shinn House Website: will have more information on the H.A. Minton remodel and the bunkhouse and times and activities. www.historicshinnhouse.org

Doors Open: Sunday 10-noon

Doors Open House tours with Minton Plans: Doors Open ticket holders only for the special H.A. Minton tour. Your tour is free with a Doors Open ticket. Best to email us to reserve a time!

Meet the Bunkhouse team 10-12: Walk to the barnyard.

Museum may be open: Exhibits this year:

“Chinese Roots: Sketches of Life in the Washington Township” and “Emily Goes to the Fair: notes about 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition”

Location: Shinn Historical Park & Arboretum, 1251 Peralta Avenue, Fremont CA. Parking is free.

Self Guided walking tour of the park: Any time: https://sites.google.com/view/friends-of-heirloom-flowers/tour-guide.

Suggestion: Spend part of your day in the historic district of Niles, one of the stops on the Transcontinental Railroad. Have a meal in Niles or get take-out and bring it to the California Nursery Historical Park or Shinn Park. Take in a move at the Niles Film Museum.

Other things to do while in Fremont? https://sites.google.com/view/funthingstodofremonthistory/home

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City: Fremont

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Growing History: the California Nursery Company
9/21 | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Most visitors come to visit the historic 90-year old rose garden. There is a lot more here!

The California Nursery Historical Park re-opened recently after two years of upgrades. Twenty acres of the original 463 acres tell the story of this historic nursery that was established in 1884. Improved paths and roads provide ADA access to sixteen acres that contain the last nursery block, the historic test orchard, the packing shed area, the 1840 “Old Adobe,” and a bungalow home. The historic 1907 nursery office is the center of the nursery’s show gardens.

In the 1930s, George C. Roeding Jr. oversaw the transformation of the nursery to include places to entertain the visitors of the nursery. A lawn was planted in front of the office for barbecues and for playing. The new Show Garden was nestled into the curves of the old roads. A modern retail center was built across from the Show Gardens so people could enjoy the blooms and be inspired to buy. Areas were planted with specimen trees to show customers these unique trees.

When the customers tired, they could withdraw to the heart of the nursery, the Old Adobe, the trademark of the nursery, where the hospitality of the Roeding family could be enjoyed with food and drink and music.

The office gardens and Old Adobe garden still evoke the days when the “Latch-string was always out” for customers and the community. The office gardens have been maintained by a garden club for 31 years. A museum is in the old office building. The archives of the historic nursery are located here.

The museum will be open on Saturday and Sunday 11-3. Check the most current schedule for times of walking tours. Also check on other historic locations in Fremont here: https://sites.google.com/view/funthingstodofremonthistory/home

Signage throughout the park interprets the various areas. Picnic tables provide a shady place to eat your takeout from the old town of Niles, less than a mile away.

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City: Fremont

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Film Detective: Charlie Chaplin’s Bay Area Footsteps
9/21 | 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM

In 1915, Charlie Chaplin’s skyrocketing film career shot to superstardom while here in Niles working for the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company (Niles is now part of Fremont). His comedic star was on the rise the previous year as he transitioned from the vaudeville stage to the world stage because the films he made with the Keystone company were seen around the globe. But here in just a few months during the winter and early spring, he made one and two reelers that are still viewed with great reverence by people of all walks of life who have access to a viewable screen (computer, phone or theater)

Today, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum will share part of Charlie’s film legacy – at 3:00 pm we will screen his most famous films made in Niles so long ago – they are still sure to bring a chuckle or guffaw. At 4:00 pm, we will share a video on Charlie Chaplin’s Bay Area Footsteps created by silent films locations expert John Bengtson and then go on a walk around the neighborhood pointing out several locations as featured in these famous film shorts.

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City: Gilroy

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Gilroy’s Attic: Forgotten Artifacts Unboxed
9/20 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Visitors will be given a tour of the Gilroy Museum basement which is now the Museum’s main storage area. The original use of the various rooms will be explained when the building functioned as the Gilroy Free Library. In the Museum’s main storage area, visitors will be given a short program on artifact storage and have the opportunity to see unique items not on display. Admission is free but donations are appreciated and directly support the Museum.

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City: San Jose

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Two Eras Collide: Adobe to Victorian
9/20 and/or 9/21 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

San Jose’s oldest building, the Peralta Adobe (1797), sits next to the Victorian Fallon House (1850s). Visitors can compare adobe construction with 19th-century domestic details like gas lighting. Kids can grind corn in the outdoor cocina, and docents share stories of early California life.

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City: Santa Clara

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Time Layers: 2,000 Years Under SCU
9/20 – 9/21

Santa Clara University’s campus sits atop a Native American village, Mission-era walls, and 1850s college foundations. This rare tour showcases artifacts from ongoing digs – Ohlone tools, Spanish ceramics, and ROTC relics – stored in the 1888 Ricard Observatory. You may even get to see a 3D-printed replica of a Gold Rush-era pistol found near the Mission gardens!

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City: Atascadero

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

The Press Building of the Women’s Republic; leading a charge for Women’s Suffrage.
9/20 | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

The 1915 Press Building of the Woman’s National Publishing Company was the West’s largest rotogravure  printing operation.  Millions of copies of magazines, publications for women and SF Chronicle and  LA Times inserts were produced each year. Founder Mabel Lewis, forged the way to creating a new utopia where women owned property, purchasing the land for the new city in the name of her Women’s Republic. The Italian Renaissance building’s terracotta details hide symbols of equality.  As restoration continues the history and sometimes mystery is revealed.  Onsite salvage work may reveal more treasures!  For the FIRST TIME the DOORS to the Printery will be OPEN and tours conducted on the half hour from 9 am to 3 p.m. along with multiple displays on site.  Special  Treasure Hunt opportunity – sift the sand and help us find our history!

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City: San Luis Obispo

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Chumash Engineering Marvels
9/20 and/or 9/21

Visitors will see the inside of two circa 1801 Chumash adobes, converted around 1860 to a two-story Greek Revival adobe faced with redwood clapboard, along with the remains of a Chumash-built aqueduct that ran behind what was once a complex of 80 Chumash adobes of which only three survive. The Suaer-Adams Adobe is the oldest house and oldest inhabited building in San Luis Obispo County, owned by the family of accused bandit Pio Linares when he was shot down by the 1858 Vigilance Committee.

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City: Berkeley

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Architectural Tour of Maybeck’s Masterpiece, First Church of Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley
9/20 | Tour 1 @ 9:30 am, Tour 2 @ 11:00 am, Tour 3 @ 1:30 pm to 3:00 PM

Bernard Maybeck’s 1910 masterpiece, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley, is a world-class architectural treasure and National Historic Landmark. It is a brilliantly creative integration of Arts & Crafts, Byzantine, Romanesque, Japanese, and Gothic Revival, built of modern industrial materials yet designed to be unusually home-like and connected to its garden and community surroundings. Across from today’s People’s Park, the center of Berkeley’s counter-culture movement, the church’s warm and honest character is defined by simplicity, unity, harmony, beauty, light and peace. In terms of light and space, Maybeck’s Masterpiece is the first truly American church.

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City: Orinda

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Choo-Choo Time Machine: Redwood Valley Railway
9/20 and/or 9/21 | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Ride 1/3-scale steam trains through redwood groves at Redwood Valley Railway in Tilden Regional Park. These coal-fired locomotives celebrate California’s historic logging and narrow-gauge lines. Learn from engineers about live-steam operations, and try your hand at powering a century-old handcar—a true team effort!

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City: Glen Ellen

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Sonoma’s Secret City: 130 Years of Care
9/20 | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Explore the historic Sonoma Developmental Center grounds—an 1,100-acre campus blending 1880s cottages with mid-century therapy facilities. Discover remnants of orchards and vocational sites, and learn about therapeutic practices that shaped the campus. Guided tours visit the cemetery, where unmarked graves prompt reflection on disability history, and feature stories shared by former staff about life inside California’s oldest developmental center.

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City: Guerneville

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Pond Farm Pottery: Bauhaus in the Redwoods
9/20 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Discover Pond Farm, the historic ceramics retreat where Bauhaus-trained artist Marguerite Wildenhain taught intensive summer workshops from 1949 to 1980. Explore her hand-built studio and wood-fired kiln, set among redwoods in Austin Creek State Recreation Area. Docents share Wildenhain’s philosophy—rooted in Bauhaus ideals—and demonstrate traditional throwing techniques. See original tools and outdoor classrooms that reflect her belief: “No short cuts.” Now preserved by California State Parks, Pond Farm continues to inspire as a rare site where European modernism met California craft.

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City: Healdsburg

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Warnecke’s Blueprint Vault: JFK to Hawaii
9/20 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Tours will begin at 11:00 am and at 2:00 pm. Tours will last 30-45 minutes. Space is limited to 25 people per tour.

The Architectural Archive, located at Warnecke Ranch in Sonoma County CA, contains significant, primary source materials by and about noted California architects, John Carl Warnecke and his father Carl I. Warnecke. Over 100 years of architectural plans, drawings, sketches, photographs, personal papers, journals, project files, and correspondence make up one of the most extensive, remaining architectural archives still in one family.(1911-2012). The archive contains irreplaceable and comprehensive materials from JCW and his architectural firm, John Carl Warnecke & Associates. Notable projects include Mid-Century Modern masterworks like the Hawaii State Capital, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Mira Vista Elementary School, the UC Santa Cruz master plan and library, and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame. The collection includes the work of 48 different architectural photographers including Morley Baer, Nathaniel Lieberman, Moulin Gabriel Studios, Rondal Partridge, and Gerald Ratto.

For more information about Warnecke Archive visit: https://www.warneckearchives.com

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City: Oakland

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Visit Oakland’s 16th St. Station
9/20 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

A rare opportunity to visit the Bay Area’s grandest railroad station, Oakland’s Southern Pacific 16th St. Station built in 1912, designed by Jarvis Hunt. A destination for transcontinental travelers and transfer point to local electric rail, the Main Hall and Baggage Wing will be open for visitors. View the elevated electric rail platform and the signal tower, where the switches were monitored. This station was the major hub for arrivals to northern California, and a central focus of organizing for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and their leader C. L. Dellums. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in January, 2025; find out about prospects for re-use and restoration.

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City: Berkeley

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Julia Morgan’s Berkeley City Club
9/21 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The club docents will introduce you to Miss Morgan, who was the first woman architect certified by the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and will lead you through the vaulted halls and arcaded courtyards of this medieval fantasy.

The Berkeley City Club is known for its steel-reinforced concrete walls and ceilings (artfully fashioned to look like wood), leaded glass windows, interior courtyards and magnificent indoor swimming pool. The building is a blend of Romanesque and Moorish styles of architecture common to the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

Julia Morgan’s engineering skills, evident in the seismically solid building exterior, were matched by her attention to the interior designs for furniture, light fixtures, distinctive fireplaces and even dishes.

Constructed in 11 months, this six-story landmarked building opened in 1930 as the “Berkeley Women’s City Club” with a membership of over 4,000.

The Club’s founding group of women, all involved in separate civic, social, athletic and philanthropic causes, wanted to come together in a single, impressive, multi-use building. At the height of her career, Bay Area architect Julia Morgan was the natural choice for their project.

Originally a social club and residence for women, the Berkeley City Club has welcomed both women and men since 1962. Today it serves as a club, hotel, restaurant, events space and conference center.

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City: Oakland

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Oakland’s Chinatown: Hidden Stories & The Search for Belonging
9/20 | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Oakland’s Chinatown is a vibrant hub for immigrants and communities across the Asian diaspora. Come learn about the stories of the search for belonging in this historic neighborhood starting in the 1850s during California’s Gold Rush. We’ll start at the Chinese American Citizens Alliance lodge established over 100 years ago, where you can view photos of community leaders from the early 20th century from 2-3pm. From 3-5pm, those who want to participate in a walking tour can visit the sites most loved by the Chinatown community, and meet some of the local leaders. We’ll also share the best places to get dim sum and the neighborhood’s tastiest cultural cuisine!

This special program comes with an additional fee of $25 in order to cover host expenses. To pay the added fee, please visit  https://events.humanitix.com/oakland-chinatown-stories after registering for Doors Open.

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City: San Francisco

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Treasure Island’s Time Capsule
9/21 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Explore the only surviving building from the 1939–40 Golden Gate International Exposition—originally the Pan Am Clipper Terminal, complete with its iconic map floor. Today, the Treasure Island Museum showcases GGIE memorabilia and World War II naval history. Exhibits highlight Pan Am’s transpacific era, the island’s military legacy, and dramatic Bay views during special tours.

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City: San Francisco

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Richmond District Time Machine
9/20/25 or 9/21/25 | 11:00am to 3:00pm

This surprise mystery courtesy of thew Western Neighborhoods Project will be revealed as we get closer to the date. Be sure to register for updates!

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City: San Francisco

 NEW THIS YEAR!

San Francisco’s Lost Arts & Crafts Chapel
9/20

Nestled near Twin Peaks, San Francisco’s First Unitarian Church (1889) reflects ideals that helped shape California’s Arts & Crafts movement. Its warm wood interiors and handcrafted details echo a philosophy that later influenced architects like Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan. Docents share the building’s role in Bay Area design history—and the stories behind its enduring artistry.

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City: Petaluma

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Riverfront Time Capsule: Petaluma’s Victorian Secrets
9/20 | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Step back in time with costumed docents as you explore Petaluma—California’s most intact 19th-century river town. Learn how “Egg Capital” wealth shaped ornate commercial blocks and why the iconic Mystic Theatre remains a cultural landmark. Stroll past the McNear Building (1886), with its pressed-tin ceilings and ties to Petaluma’s grain and poultry trade. Along the way, enjoy stories of riverfront commerce and local lore that bring the city’s colorful past to life.

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City: Oakland

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Black Panther Women: A Mural’s Radical Tribute
9/20 – 9/21

Jilchristina Vest’s mini-museum and mural – painted on her home – spotlights the Black Panther Party’s unsung heroines. Inspired by activist Ericka Huggins, the artwork depicts women who ran free clinics and breakfast programs. Inside, artifacts include protest signs and oral histories. Located near the Panthers’ original headquarters, this grassroots space challenges systemic erasure.

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City: Los Angeles

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Church sanctuary, upstairs offices (2 rooms), & garden
9/20 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

We’ve had group visits before who loved the Federalist details, the recent historic renovation (mostly completed and done in 2015-2017) and a little bit of the history: we have been a Christian Science church since 1910; the stained glass windows are actually from the original edifice (next door and no longer there) and date to 1880; and there was a fairly recent feature story about 3rd church (and its history) in the L.A. Times written by journalist Tom Curwen. Here’s the link: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-21/downtown-church-keeps-the-citys-mayhem-at-bay-one-service-at-a-time

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City: Los Angeles

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Los Angeles Union Station Hidden Gems
9/20 – 9/21 | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Completed in 1939, Los Angeles Union Station is widely regarded as “the last of the great train stations.” The station was designed by the father-and-son architect team of John and Donald Parkinson with an innovative blend of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival and Art Deco architecture now commonly referred to as Mission Moderne. Attendees will visit the Ticket Concourse with its glazed bronze doors and 110-foot-long ticket counter made of American black walnut. Suspended 10 feet above are six bronze chandeliers designed by Phoenix Day. The surrounding wainscot is composed of geometric tiles created by Gladding McBean. Next up, take in the former Fred Harvey Restaurant, designed by Mary Colter, known for her distinctive Southwestern design. Her style can be seen in the floor design with inlaid cement tile replicating a Navajo blanket. Union Station was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 101 in 1972 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources in 1980.

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City: Redlands

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Redlands Renaissance: Preservation in Action
9/20 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

This symposium aims to provide background information about historic preservation and examples of overlooked opportunities and provide valuable resources to further preservation using tools like economic development (will submit separate request for Doors Open). Subsequently, real life examples and practical applications can be seen with a focused tour and place-based experience to complement the broader virtual overview. The day will end with a themed social mixer, where historic preservation professional, architects, developers, and planners, etc. can mingle and discuss the next great adaptive reuse or economic preservation project in the I.E.

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Special Programs You Can’t Miss!
(Select Sites Statewide – Various Weekend Days All Month)

City:

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Digital Preservation Lab: IE Heritage Strategies
9/18 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

This virtual symposium addresses Inland Empire preservation challenges: adobe conservation in arid climates, repurposing Route 66 motels, and funding Mission-era structures. Case studies will include successful commercial-to-adaptive reuse conversions and midcentury housing rehabilitations using state tax incentives. Learn how stakeholders navigated zoning challenges while preserving character-defining features..

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City: San Luis Obispo

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Julia Morgan’s Sisterhood
9/13 – 9/14 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Julia Morgan’s only Central Coast women’s club showcases her signature style—and a surprising twist: an upstairs kitchen! Explore the historic Monday Club, approaching its 100th year, with guided tours and a special documentary on its legacy. Gardens feature heritage roses, with local lore of secret suffrage meetings and spirited Prohibition-era tales adding to the charm.

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City: Fiddletown

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Fiddletown Gold Rush Jamboree
9/20 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Twang to live bluegrass in a 1850s gold camp where the Chew Kee Store’s rammed earth walls keep temps perfect year-round. Blacksmith demos, frontier skits, and pie contests make this the Sierra foothills’ most authentic throwback. Don’t miss the ‘Eureka!’ gold panning station.

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City: Fiddletown

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Gold Rush in Rammed Earth: Chew Kee Store
9/20 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The western part of the mining town Fiddletown (Amador County) was once occupied by its sizable Chinese community. The Chinese Gambling House, Chinese General Store, and the Chew Kee Store Museum, all from 1855-1860, cluster together on Main Street, all evocative testaments to the Chinese presence in the Gold Rush and afterwards. By entering the Chew Kee Store museum, virtually through a video or with an in-person tour, the visitor envisions a different world, one in which Chinese immigrants adapted their culture to a new environment. This rammed earth building served as an herb store, a home, and a gathering place for the Chinese community. It was occupied by three sets of residents between 1855-1965, each with their own story. Everything in the building belonged to its Chinese occupants, immersing visitors in their lives, occupations, culture — an authentic experience.

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City: Bridgeport

 NEW THIS YEAR!

Bodie State Historic Park – Guided Town Tour
9/20 – 9/21

Step into Bodie State Historic Park and wander a Gold Rush town frozen in time. Join us for a guided tour of the ghost town of Bodie. Participants will learn how this once booming town of as many as 10,000 people and 2,000 structures declined throughout the 20th century to become known as the famous ghost town it is today.

Today, Bodie is a California State Park preserved in a “state of arrested decay” with the help of the Bodie Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit dedicated to supporting state parks in our joint mission of preservation, interpretation, and the public enjoyment of Bodie State Historic Park.

This tour will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, may have some steep stairs, and some uneven, rocky terrain. Please be aware that there are no services in Bodie and the nearest local communities of Bridgeport and Lee Vining, CA are approximately 45 minutes away. We advise eating before your visit and bringing plenty of snacks and water. Don’t forget to wear good walking shoes or hiking boots, sun protection, and bring additional warm clothing in case of inclement weather.

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City: Red Bluff

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Chinatown Footsteps: A Family’s Journey
9/6, 9/7, 9/20, OR 9/21 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Walk with fourth-generation descendants through Red Bluff’s forgotten Chinatown, where their ancestors ran laundries in 1865. The tour ends at Oak Hill Cemetery with traditional Qing dynasty mourning rites. Participants receive replica 19th-century ‘certificates of residence’ – papers Chinese immigrants were forced to carry.

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City: Salinas

RETURNING DOORS OPEN PARTNER

Boronda Adobe’s Rancho Fiesta
9/27 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The staff and docents will provide guided tours of the 1844-46 Jose Eusebio Boronda Adobe. Our tours will be presented in English and Spanish for our “Rancho Days celebration” of that weekend. Our tour guides will be costumed as reenactors for the period of significance, and guests will be provided tours of the newly opened Gumper-Castro Library, which includes the integration of vintage Victorian architectural elements and a treasure trove of books on early California history and culture. Finally, smaller groups will be provided a behind-the-scenes tour of the Archival Vaults of the Monterey County Historical Society featuring the Spanish & Mexican Archives spanning the period from 1770 through 1856 and the Archaeology Vault with its collections predating European contact on the central California coast and Monterey Bay. Finally, guests will be provided refreshments consisting of Mexican and early Californio-themed chocolate and soups of the period.

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In 2024, over 60 sites are participating in Doors Open from all corners of California. 

The full Doors Open map of sites for this year can be found here: bit.ly/mapdoca

You can also find a map embedded at the bottom of this page.