Pardee Home Museum

The focal point of Oakland's Preservation Park Historic District, The Pardee Home was built in 1868-1869 by Enoch Pardee, a Gold Rush immigrant from the Midwest who later became an eye doctor, the mayor of Oakland, a state assemblyman, and state senator. His son, Governor George Pardee, received praise for his leadership during the 1906 earthquake. The museum offers guided tours of the home, which features original furniture, as well as the gardens and the redwood carriage house.

Best and worst time to go to Pardee Home Museum
Schedule your tour around High Tea or Dessert Tea (advance reservation required). Tea requires an extra $30 or $20 per person, respectively, but it's a special delicacy in the heart of downtown Oakland.

Must see at Pardee Home Museum
The garden, restored in 2004, contains fuschia, antique roses, succulents, a vegetable garden, and an orchard, all protected by redwood, oak, and magnolia trees.

Admission to Pardee Home Museum
$10 per person, free for children under 12.

Parking and Public Transportation to Pardee Home Museum
Two-hour, free parking is available on Castro Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and metered parking is available on 12th Street. AC Transit lines 14 and 62 provide direct service to the museum. The museum is also within walking distance of the 12th Street BART station.

Food at Pardee Home Museum
High tea starts with savory bites and mini sandwiches, followed by scones with jam and curd, dessert, and tea of course!

Insider tip for visitors to Pardee Home Museum
The tour guides, cooks, and other staff all volunteer their time. If you have the dollars to spare, leave a donation to help keep the museum running.

Author's bio: Heather Johnson is a freelance writer based in Oakland, California.