Dunsmuir House

Dunsmuir House is a Greek Revival mansion in Oakland, California, containing 37 rooms spread across about 16,000 square feet of living space. The interior features ten fireplaces and extensive wood paneling throughout, complemented by wrought-iron details and large windows overlooking the grounds.

Alexander Dunsmuir commissioned the estate in 1899 as a wedding gift for his bride Josephine but died on their honeymoon before ever living there. His widow later stayed briefly in the house and sold it in 1906 to another wealthy California family.

Named after a British Columbia coal baron, the estate reflects how wealthy industrialists from resource economies built their California retreats. The hand-carved woodwork and multiple hearths inside show the domestic tastes of families who moved between businesses in Canada and homes in the San Francisco area.

The estate sits on the eastern edge of Oakland and offers visitors tours of the interior rooms as well as access to the outdoor grounds and gardens. Those exploring the property should wear comfortable walking shoes, as paths across the large grounds can be uneven.

The Japanese garden on the property was designed by a Japanese landscape architect and blends traditional Asian elements with California plantings. There was originally also an aviary and quarters for twelve staff members housed in a separate area.