Beth Sarim

Beth Sarim is a Mediterranean Revival mansion in San Diego with stucco walls, red-tiled roofs, and ten bedrooms spread across landscaped grounds. The building displays the architectural style popular in Southern California during the early twentieth century.

The building was constructed in 1929 for Joseph Franklin Rutherford, the second president of the Watch Tower Society. It served as a winter residence for the religious leader and his organization.

The name Beth Sarim comes from Hebrew and means House of the Princes, reflecting the religious purpose behind the building's creation. Visitors can sense this spiritual intention reflected in how the space was originally designed and used.

The property can be visited as a historical landmark in a residential neighborhood of San Diego that is easy to reach. Plan time to view the exterior grounds and architectural details at a comfortable pace.

The original property deed contained an unusual provision stating that the house should remain available for biblical figures like David and Gideon should they return to Earth. This remarkable clause reveals the deep religious beliefs that motivated the building's creation.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 32.77120,-117.09900

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:06