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Nestled in the heart of Redlands, Kimberly Crest House & Gardens invites visitors to step into a world where history and beauty converge, offering an unforgettable experience for all.
Exploring the historic beauty and serene landscapes of Kimberly Crest has been one of the highlights of my adventures as a semi-budget traveler and travel planner.
With years of experience traversing quaint towns and hidden gems across the country, I’ve honed a keen eye for destinations that offer rich experiences without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for a unique Southern California destination, look no further than Kimberly Crest House and Gardens in the town of Redlands, CA.
At Kimberly Crest, I found an exquisite melding of history, architecture, and nature that captivates the heart and sparks the imagination, making it a must-visit on your travel list.
This is a sprawling estate with beautiful gardens, interesting history, and plenty of photo ops. But with so much to see, it can be hard to know where to start.
This blog post will help you make the most of your visit to the Kimberly Crest House and Gardens. We’ll give you tips on what to see and do, plus info on where to find places to stay nearby.
SBT Highlights
- Historical Elegance Unveiled: Explore the rich history and architectural beauty of Kimberly Crest House & Gardens, a testament to Redlands’ past.
- Seasonal Splendor: Discover the enchanting events like Princesses at the Castle and the Christmas Tree Lighting, offering unique experiences all year round.
- A Gem for Budget Travelers: Learn why Kimberly Crest is a must-visit destination for those seeking compelling adventures without a hefty price tag.
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Kimberly Crest
Kimberly Crest House and Gardens is an exquisite French château-style Victorian mansion located in Redlands, California (San Bernardino County in the Inland Empire). It’s a unique destination and not-so-hidden gem for visitors looking to explore its beautiful gardens, learn about its fascinating history, and capture stunning photos of the estate.
Located at 1325 Prospect Drive, in Redlands CA, you will find the mansion about halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs.
History
This beautiful estate was built in 1897 for Mrs. Cornelia Hill. The property was sold, in 1905, to members of the Kimberly family (John Alfred Kimberly, and his wife, Helen Cheney Kimberly), known for co-founding the Kimberly-Clark paper company.
Mrs. Hill proceeded to build another, less-castle-like house elsewhere in Redlands. Meanwhile, the Kimberly family began installing the fantastic Italian Renaissance gardens that grace the property of Kimberly Crest.
Mary Kimberly Shirk, John Alfred Kimberly’s daughter who had been widowed, was the last Kimberly to live in the home. Upon her death in 1979, by her wishes, Mary Kimberly Shirk donated the home to “the people of Redlands” and established the Kimberly-Shirk Association to run the home and gardens to this day.
Kimberly Crest is part of the greater area surrounding it, called Prospect Park, full of greenery and trails in lovely south Redlands.
Firmly stamped into the history of Redlands, Kimberly Crest is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as being a registered California Historical Landmark, and of course, a City of Redlands Historic Landmark.
Architecture
The architecture of the mansion has been described in different ways. It is at once a French château-style 3-story home with tall towers and turrets, and also a Victorian mansion as is common to Redlands, California.
The overall property consists of the main residence (a large 7,000 square foot dwelling), a carriage house, the formal Italian gardens, and several acres of orange groves.
Gardens
The grounds of Kimberly Crest span several acres, including Italian gardens, terraces, walkways, fountains, statuary, lily ponds, koi ponds, and more. Visitors can wander through the gardens, exploring everything Kimberly Crest has to offer.
Tour
Redlands’ Kimberly Crest House and Gardens is the perfect place for families who want to explore California history and nature.
Visitors can take part in guided tours (the only way to see inside) or explore outdoors on their own while visiting this remarkable place steeped in history!
You can wander through the gardens, visit the historic home, or take a walk on the nearby nature trails.
Tours are available on the following days & times:
- Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Sundays: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The current price (at the time of writing) is $15.00 for adults, $12.00 for seniors/active military/veteran/student, and $5.00 for children ages 6-12. These prices do not include a small booking fee.
Each 45-minute tour will be hosted by a docent. Learn the home’s history, see the museum-like Victorian interior (1st and 2nd floors) full of historical artifacts, and hear stories about goings on throughout the decades. If you want to see Kimberly Crest decked out in its Christmas finest, make your visit reservations for December!
Be ready to walk a little on an incline and negotiate a good number of steps up and down.
Events at Kimberly Crest
The Kimberly-Shirk Association hosts a number of different events throughout the year at Kimberly Crest. They host regular guided tours of the house and grounds, as well as special events like Victorian tea parties and holiday celebrations.
Weddings
Who wouldn’t want to get married at a historic castle? Kimberly Crest offers the perfect wedding venue for a unique and memorable wedding. Kimberly Crest offers several different packages for ceremonies and receptions.
Included in renting the venue for your wedding are:
- exclusive use of gardens
- bridal suite
- separate groom’s area
- restrooms for guests
- venue representative
- rehearsal time
Photo Shoots
What a great backdrop for a photo shoot! Kimberly Crest is the perfect location for engagement photos, family portraits, and more. Kimberly Crest offers several different packages to fit your photography needs.
Personal use photography rentals are by appointment only, and a variety of hourly rates are offered. Note that photos may only be taken outdoors in the gardens. Interior photography is not allowed.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Most often held on the first Sunday in December, the annual Kimberly Crest Christmas Tree Lighting is a free event for the entire community. Enjoy musical performances, the lighting of Kimberly Crest’s beautiful Christmas tree, and even an appearance by Santa!
Traditionally, apple cider and ginger cookies are provided for those that attend. Special tours of the interior, fully decorated for Christmas, are also available after the evening program.
Princesses at the Castle
A special event that our older daughter enjoyed twice was the annual Princesses at the Castle. Young ladies can enjoy a magical day full of activities like dressing up in their favorite princess costumes, enjoying tea and snacks, making crafts, and taking photos.
The event culminated with each young lady descending the Kimberly Crest steps and being announced as “presenting [first name] from the house of [last name].” What a fun and special time!
Other Private Events
Kimberly Crest is a lovely event venue, and the Kimberly-Shirk Association is happy to rent the property for a variety of other private events, including:
- baby showers
- bridal showers
- memorial services
- organization meetings
- birthday parties
- whatever else you might dream up!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Kimberly Crest?
The Kimberly-Shirk Association maintains the property, and continues to open the home to the people of Redlands and the general public, as well as be involved in the city of Redlands. Their mission statement describes their dedication to preserve the property and grounds, as well as share, educate, and inspire.
As the Kimberly-Shirk Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, volunteers are greatly appreciated. There are three main areas where you can volunteer:
- docent (tour guides and other responsibilities)
- gardening
- internship
Prospective docents should possess a love of Kimberly Crest, enthusiasm for sharing the historic home with others, and excellent presentation skills. A docent training class is part of the process for becoming a Kimberly Crest docent.
When is Kimberly Crest House & Gardens open?
If you just want to visit the gardens (FREE!), they will generally be open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. These times may change, of course, if there is a private event happening. It might be a good idea to contact Kimberly Crest ahead of time to make sure of the availability.
What hotels are near Kimberly Crest House & Gardens?
Besides being quite near to picturesque downtown Redlands, Kimberly Crest is close to a number of hotels, including several newly built properties, such as:
📍 SpringHill Suites by Marriott
- 89 rooms on 4 floors
- All Studio suite hotel
- FREE breakfast, FREE parking, outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center
📍 Home2 Suites by Hilton
- 77 rooms on 4 floors
- Studio & 1-bedroom suites
- FREE breakfast, FREE parking, outdoor pool
📍 Residence Inn by Marriott
- 104 rooms on 4 floors
- Studio, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom suites
- FREE breakfast, FREE parking, outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center
SBT Summary: Kimberly Crest
Kimberly Crest is a beautiful, historic home and garden that has been preserved by the Kimberly-Shirk Association for many years. From its original purchase and installation of Italian gardens to Mrs. Kimberly Shirk’s challenge to the city of Redlands and her eventual donation of Kimberly Crest House & Gardens, this property carries with it a wealth of history and beauty.
With events like Princesses at the Castle and Christmas Tree Lighting, there’s something special about visiting the estate all year round! Whether you’re looking for an event venue or just want to stroll through these gorgeous grounds, Kimberly Crest will certainly not disappoint.
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