Heritage Square Museum
Heritage Square Museum
4.5
About
Heritage Square Museum, a popular tourist attraction, features eight local and nationally listed historic buildings and residences from different areas of Los Angeles. For over 40 years Heritage Square Museum, a non-profit organization, has not only worked on preserving these buildings, but interpreting the history of Los Angeles during it s first 100 years of statehood.Heritage Square believes that the preservation of our shared history is integral to our community. Each of the significant structures on the site has a unique story to tell and a special place in the development of Los Angeles, from a peaceful valley to today’s sprawling metropolis.
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Neighborhood: Montecito Heights
How to get there
- Heritage Square • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
46 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
10
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Jessie S
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Friends
SAVE YOUR MONEY. Trust me.
The day time tours are fine, but do not go to any nighttime events here. They are a total waste of money.
Attended Street Food Cinema's Halloween movie night here last night. Wow.
30 minute lines the whole night to get food from the 3 Mexican food trucks they hired. What? In the entire City of Los Angeles, you could only find Mexican food trucks to hire? No other cuisines?
Also, you knew how many people were attending because you cannot buy tickets at the event. So please, tell me, why did you only hire 3 food trucks? Oh wait, I know the answer. So that you could make more money from us!
Event started at 5:30 pm. I tried to order the ONE VEGAN item at 7 pm. After waiting in line 20 minutes to order, I was told...THEY HAD NO MORE RICE. Are you kidding me?
Only two alcohol stations. 35 minute wait. Only to be told they sold out of the IPA and light beer options they had. Hmmm.
The movies? Do you like super quiet movies where you have to strain your ears? Do you like sitting on the ground on wet grass?
Oh and this was a dress-up Halloween costume event. You'd think they'd have said something on the website about how the ENTIRE place is dirt flooring with rocks galore. Hmmmm, again. They could have forewarned us.
Lines lines lines. Lazy unorganized and quite honestly such an obvious CASH GRAB I felt like an idiot for falling for it.
They had a few trick-or-treat stations. My husband spun the wheel and .... won two free tickets to their Christmas event! At first we thought "Yay!" Then we realized it would be the same as this: Just an excuse to make us spend more money.
I can't believe we spent $95 for two tickets and a parking space for THIS.
Maybe this wasn't Heritage Square's fault entirely but then they should think about what event companies they are doing business with. Cuz Street Food Cinema SUCKED.
The day time tours are fine, but do not go to any nighttime events here. They are a total waste of money.
Attended Street Food Cinema's Halloween movie night here last night. Wow.
30 minute lines the whole night to get food from the 3 Mexican food trucks they hired. What? In the entire City of Los Angeles, you could only find Mexican food trucks to hire? No other cuisines?
Also, you knew how many people were attending because you cannot buy tickets at the event. So please, tell me, why did you only hire 3 food trucks? Oh wait, I know the answer. So that you could make more money from us!
Event started at 5:30 pm. I tried to order the ONE VEGAN item at 7 pm. After waiting in line 20 minutes to order, I was told...THEY HAD NO MORE RICE. Are you kidding me?
Only two alcohol stations. 35 minute wait. Only to be told they sold out of the IPA and light beer options they had. Hmmm.
The movies? Do you like super quiet movies where you have to strain your ears? Do you like sitting on the ground on wet grass?
Oh and this was a dress-up Halloween costume event. You'd think they'd have said something on the website about how the ENTIRE place is dirt flooring with rocks galore. Hmmmm, again. They could have forewarned us.
Lines lines lines. Lazy unorganized and quite honestly such an obvious CASH GRAB I felt like an idiot for falling for it.
They had a few trick-or-treat stations. My husband spun the wheel and .... won two free tickets to their Christmas event! At first we thought "Yay!" Then we realized it would be the same as this: Just an excuse to make us spend more money.
I can't believe we spent $95 for two tickets and a parking space for THIS.
Maybe this wasn't Heritage Square's fault entirely but then they should think about what event companies they are doing business with. Cuz Street Food Cinema SUCKED.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KTITA
Los Angeles, CA68 contributions
Jun 2023
What a lovely surprise this place was! Just a few minutes from downtown LA, easy parking, a fun little gift shop and an interesting guided tour of the Victorian houses. Tom, our guide, was delightful, friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend visiting this place.
Written June 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Creeping_Death_LA
Los Angeles, CA4,441 contributions
Apr 2023
I've been here once before and what brought me back was the Spooky Swap Meet taking place in April. I didn't expect it to be so busy as many of the weekend entrance slots were sold out - who would've thought. We were glad we went back to visit these amazing historic homes plus the horror flick atmosphere of the event. The houses were not open for tours due to this special event. If you want to see the interior of the houses come by on a regular weekend.
Written May 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA8,800 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
I grew up watching the mansions on Bunker Hill get torn down or taken away. L.A. local,Leo Politi, was a contemporary artist of my youth. Visiting this unique museum park was interesting, and a step back in time. It showcases several different styles of once opulent houses from a Victorian Los Angeles.
The guides are full of information, and entertain with colorful stories of days gone by. The interior tour visits several of the buildings, which are being carefully restored. It's popular, so book in advance
The octagonal home is particularly interesting, as it was once a popular design, but fell from favor. Three such structures survive up in San Francisco.
A well stocked gift shop is an added bonus. Check out the Victorian mourning soap! And the park's resident feline, a handsome ginger tom named Belle Boy, wanders here and there to the delight of guests.
If you like historical homes or architecture, this is for you. And the surrounding neighborhoods, Montecito Heights and Mt. Washington, are a feast of hidden architectural treats.
The guides are full of information, and entertain with colorful stories of days gone by. The interior tour visits several of the buildings, which are being carefully restored. It's popular, so book in advance
The octagonal home is particularly interesting, as it was once a popular design, but fell from favor. Three such structures survive up in San Francisco.
A well stocked gift shop is an added bonus. Check out the Victorian mourning soap! And the park's resident feline, a handsome ginger tom named Belle Boy, wanders here and there to the delight of guests.
If you like historical homes or architecture, this is for you. And the surrounding neighborhoods, Montecito Heights and Mt. Washington, are a feast of hidden architectural treats.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lenzi
Los Angeles, CA2 contributions
Oct 2020
I called to see if the museum was open during the virus outbreak. The machine said they were open for self guided walking tours. I purchased two tickets one senior and one reg. adult ticket. We were surprised to find out that the museum was open ONLY to walk around the outside of the homes and not inside. You couldn't see inside curtains were all closed. The person sitting at the desk told us that she was sorry they charged full price tickets ($100 dollar off)
She said the museum needed to make money regardless of closure and that's the way it goes. Shame on the people that operate this so-called non-profit. It is definitely for profit. No high standards and ethics, just the usual low life crap you find in Los Angeles snake oil!!!
She said the museum needed to make money regardless of closure and that's the way it goes. Shame on the people that operate this so-called non-profit. It is definitely for profit. No high standards and ethics, just the usual low life crap you find in Los Angeles snake oil!!!
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda G
Los Angeles, CA134 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
I’ve known about this place for a while and I don’t know why it took me so long to visit but I’m glad I finally made it. I loved it. We went on a Saturday for the 1 o’clock tour. Our group had about 10 people in it. The tour was about an hour twenty minutes. Only the first three houses are complete, the others need extensive renovation work on the inside (which is expensive and they are are a nonprofit so easily said than done) but are still cool to see. After the tour we were free to wander around and take pictures (not inside the homes). Lovely way to spend an afternoon. I would recommend pairing this with a visit to Lummis House just down the road.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelroc12
Lakeland, FL529 contributions
Sep 2019
If you have any interest in architecture or victorian homes, this is a “must see” attraction. Outstanding paint job on the Hale home.
Real surprise is the donated drug store at the end of the street.....
Literally 1000’s of retail drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, used in the drug store of yore.
A steal at $ 8.00 admission.
Real surprise is the donated drug store at the end of the street.....
Literally 1000’s of retail drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, used in the drug store of yore.
A steal at $ 8.00 admission.
Written September 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
euichki
Torrance, CA87 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
The guided tour is very interesting, the houses are beautiful and the colonial drugstore was amazing. Also, I would recommend leave the rambunctious, energetic toddlers at home. Too many things to knock over and break.
Written June 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colby S
Irvine, CA1,117 contributions
Apr 2019
I’ve heard of this place before on the internet and thought it sounded really cool so I figured I’d check it out and it’s a fascinating bit of history! It’s a great collection of 19th Century Victorian architecture from around the area that was moved to this location as a means of historic preservation from urban development. People don’t usually associate LA with Victorian architecture compared to say San Francisco, so this place is here to remind us that the style does indeed exist here and has some really charming examples.
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of details about the homes and the era in which they were built. I like how she didn’t hold back on some of the more controversial details of the past and just told things as they were in an objective way. I forgot her name but she was great and it was wonderful being able to see the interiors of these beautiful homes. We also saw a drug store exhibit at the end of the tour which contains actual, unopened drugs from the era that filled the whole room with a strong medicinal aroma.
The best preserved buildings are towards the front of the entrance with the ones in rougher shape towards the back. Regardless of their condition though, the interiors of the four houses have a lot of peculiar details like a niche at the top of the Perry Mansion stairs to help transport coffins in and out of the house. I highly recommend people check this place out if they’re into learning more about Los Angeles history.
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of details about the homes and the era in which they were built. I like how she didn’t hold back on some of the more controversial details of the past and just told things as they were in an objective way. I forgot her name but she was great and it was wonderful being able to see the interiors of these beautiful homes. We also saw a drug store exhibit at the end of the tour which contains actual, unopened drugs from the era that filled the whole room with a strong medicinal aroma.
The best preserved buildings are towards the front of the entrance with the ones in rougher shape towards the back. Regardless of their condition though, the interiors of the four houses have a lot of peculiar details like a niche at the top of the Perry Mansion stairs to help transport coffins in and out of the house. I highly recommend people check this place out if they’re into learning more about Los Angeles history.
Written April 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James P
Los Angeles, CA204 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
A delightful 2-hour tour of a number of Victorian houses saved from the wrecking ball and moved to a spot just off the Pasadena Freeway. Apparently, a couple of the houses are haunted, particularly one that is octogonal in shape. Try to get on a tour with Dana Amann, who was particularly good.
Written March 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margie V
Thousand Oaks, CA
how do you make a reservation for a tour
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA8,800 contributions
The website should have that available. The tours are very popular so book ahead.
MARION R
Vallejo, CA148 contributions
Bonjour, est ce ouvert entre noel et nouvel an ? Y a t il des guides français ?
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