Pardee Home Museum, Oakland Travel Guide

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Explore Victorian life at Oakland's Pardee Home Museum, a preserved Italianate landmark showcasing three generations of a prominent California family.

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Pardee Home Museum

Step back in time at the Pardee Home Museum, a beautifully preserved Italianate Victorian home in Oakland. Built in 1868, it was home to three generations of the prominent Pardee family, including California Governor George Pardee. Explore original furnishings, artifacts, and gardens offering a glimpse into 19th and 20th-century family life.

A brief summary to Pardee Home Museum

672 11th St, Oakland, Downtown Oakland, California, 94607, US
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Saturday 10:30 am-12 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Pardee Home Museum.

Check the Pardee Home Museum's website for the tour schedule, as they are only open to the public on select Saturdays.
Consider making a reservation for a guided tour in advance, as space is limited.
Take advantage of the free two-hour parking available on Castro and Martin Luther King Jr. Streets, as parking in the area can be limited.
Combine your visit with a trip to Old Oakland, a nearby historic district with restaurants and shops.
Explore Preservation Park, located next to the Pardee Home Museum, for a glimpse of other well-preserved Victorian architecture.

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Explore Pardee Home Museum on the Map

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Getting There

Public Transport

The Pardee Home Museum is accessible via public transportation. From the 12th St. Oakland City Center BART station, it's a four-block walk through City Center, past the Federal Building, and through Preservation Park. AC Transit buses also serve the area, with lines 14 and 62 stopping near the museum on 11th and 12th Streets. A single ride on AC Transit costs $2.10, payable in cash or with a Clipper Card.
Driving

If driving, take I-980 and exit at 11th and 12th Streets. The museum will be visible after crossing the freeway. There is no parking directly on 11th Street. Free two-hour parking is available on Castro and Martin Luther King Jr. Streets. Metered parking is available on 12th Street. The City Center West parking garage at 1250 Martin Luther King Way offers paid parking; rates vary, but expect to pay around $3-4 per hour. SpotHero and Parking.com offer options to reserve parking in advance near the museum.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft provide a convenient way to reach the Pardee Home Museum. From downtown Oakland, a taxi or ride-share will cost approximately $8-12, depending on traffic and demand.

Discover more about Pardee Home Museum

The Pardee Home Museum, located in downtown Oakland, offers a unique glimpse into the lives of a prominent California family across three generations. Built in 1868 by Enoch Pardee, a Gold Rush immigrant who became a successful eye doctor and politician, the house stands as a testament to Victorian-era architecture and family life.Enoch's son, George Pardee, followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an eye doctor and later the Governor of California. The home remained in the Pardee family until 1981 when it was transformed into a museum. Saved from demolition in the 1970s, the Pardee Home is now a city landmark, a California Historical Landmark, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Visitors can explore the meticulously preserved interior, filled with original furnishings, personal belongings, and an extensive collection of artifacts accumulated by the Pardee family. Highlights include the formal parlors, dining room, bedrooms, and a curio room showcasing Mrs. Pardee's eclectic collections from around the world. The museum also features a historic redwood carriage house, a survivor from the era of horse-drawn carriages. The surrounding gardens, split into three distinct areas, offer a tranquil escape and can be rented for special events. A visit to the Pardee Home Museum provides a captivating journey into the past, revealing the domestic life and cultural heritage of a significant California family.