Winchester Mystery House Tour

San Francisco, United States of America

Visit spooky Winchester House, home of the rifle heiress Sarah Winchester. So many unexplained oddities have come to pass here that it has become known as the Winchester Mystery House! You'll discover the reasons why on this four-hour afternoon excursion from San Francisco.

In 1884, the Winchester rifle heiress Sarah Winchester began work on the 160-room Victorian house. For 38 years, until the day she died, Sarah kept carpenters working 24 hours a day, building non-stop. The house has a fascinating higgledy-piggledy design, and features an endlessly confusing floor plan, with doors and staircases leading nowhere.

To reach the house you'll travel south on Highway 280, considered the most beautiful freeway in the US. At Winchester House you'll take a guided tour of the mysterious building, surrounded by beautiful gardens and containing several museums.

Highlights include the Fire Arms Museum, featuring one of the largest Winchester rifle collections on the West Coast. There's also the Antique Products Museum, with its rare collection of antiques manufactured by the Winchester Products Company.

USD $64.99

Review by: LINDA H	March 2012
THE WINCHESTER HOUSE WAS AMAZING, BUT THE TOUR WAS LESS THAN AMAZING. THE GUIDE DID NOT TELL ANYTHING ABOUT THE "MYSTERY" PART OF IT. THAT IS THE REALLY INTERESTING STUFF. HER VOICE AND PRESENTATION WAS NOT GOOD, KINDA MADE IT A STRUGGLE. ACTED LIKE WE WERE KINDERGARTENERS. REALLY WANTED TO HEAR THE GHOST STORIES I HAD HEARD WHEN I WAS A CHILD....55 YEARS AGO. DISAPOINTING. THE GUN MUSEUM WAS WONDERFUL!!!! THE RIDE WAS WAY LONGER THAN I HAD ANTICIPATED. GOOD DRIVER, JUST A LONG TIME DRIVING IN THE RAIN. AT THE GIFT SHOP I ASKED FOR SOME KIND OF BOOK OR SOMETHING WITH THE OLD GHOST STORIES IN IT, BUT NOTHING WAS THERE AND THE CLERK LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS NUTS. O'WELL, THE HOUSE ITSELF WAS GOOD AND I JUST ADDED WHAT I COULD REMEMBER TO SHARE WITH MY SON. OUR GUIDE DID TELL US THAT IF WE CAME BACK FROM ALASKA FOR HALLOWEEN, THEY WOULD TELL THE "MYSTERY" STORIES THEN.

Review by: corey_on_tour	January 2012
Not exactly what we expected, with more focus of the tour was more on the Sarah Winchester and her 'eccenticities' rather than the paranormal aspect of the hour. Additionally we didn't much time to explore the gardens, and had to rush around to get photo's._br/_ On a plus side; The bus is wi-fi enabled for the journey to San Jose, and the tour guide we had (Sarah I think) was extremely knowledgable and answered all questions thoroughly._br/_ Definatly the easiest way to visit for those that are not willing to make the drive themselves.

Review by: sanny	December 2011
The trip is fine but the travel agent is the WORST one I've ever had. If you're not "smart" enough to find where their bus stops by, they'd totally ignore you even though you've waited earlier at the hotel as told. When you call them to check why the bus is so late, they'd then remember u and ask u to take a taxi to the company, say "sorry, you missed the bus.... we're not supposed to call u then....compensation for taxi fee is impossible.... YOU ARE IMPOSSIBLE!" Besides, they'd threaten you, "If you don't hop on the bus IMMEDIATELY, NO REFUND OF THE TRIP AT ALL!" That's what I've experienced. What an awlful agent to ruin my day!!

Review by: Jenna S	December 2011
I wanted to see this house for years. It was a fun tour. Informative. After a while its was all the same. Also if you have colored hair or your kind of a freaky they will pick on you. They tell you to ask questions, but the lady seemed annoyed whenever we did. So the guide was not professional but the house was still interesting.

Review by: Lara M	December 2011
I live in SF and decided to take this tour. The bus driver was very knowledgable and was wonderful. The only thing I would have liked is maybe 1/2 hour more to view the grounds of the house. There wasn't enough time.

Review by: Vickie	November 2011
I'd read about the Winchester House for many years, so it was great to finally experience it. Taking the tour later in the day and during the low tourist season made it easy to indulge all of my senses. Unfortunately, since this was during the Halloween season, the gardens were closed due to holiday festivities. Otherwise, the tour was great. Our driver, James was nice and had a lot of information to share with us, however, he had a tendency to ramble. All in all, it was a great experience.

Review by: ricky m	November 2011
Excellent tour and entertaining bus commentary down and back.

Review by: mdavis37	November 2011
Interesting place! She certainly was a strange women....

Review by: Karen D	October 2011
Guide was wonderful. The house itself was not as interesting as I thought it would be. My husband liked it more.

Review by: Danielle R	October 2011
The house was quirky, but i had higher expectations before visiting so was a little disappointed. You canttkae photos inside the house (which means you end up having to buy a book or postcards. The gardens were closed on my visit due to halloween celebrations which was a shame as these are supposed to be beautiful.

Review by: Lorie B	October 2011
The trip was great. Having the option to be picked up at your hotel was an added bonus. Our bus driver was informative about the area and sights we saw on the way down to San Jose. He made the ride go quickly. Once at the Mystery House he got our tickets and got the group into the next tour. We were very pleased with our tour and will use you again in the future.

Review by: Carmen K	October 2011
very strange house! The tour was great and very informative

Review by: Andrea T	October 2011
My bus driver was very informational during the drive on the way to the mansion, and our tour guide at the house was very good as well. He gave explinations to all questions asked, and explained interesting facts about the house as we went.

Review by: Gary B	September 2011
House is very interesting. Disappointing that you can't take photos. Very rushed, guide talked too fast and it was obvious that it is just a money making business. With tours so close to each other

Review by: rebfalck	September 2011
The trip to the Winchester House was great! I had seen many shows on television about the house, but one must see it to believe it! Our guide was great and the trip was pleasant. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Review by: June F	August 2011
Excellent afternoon. Strange, interesting house.

Review by: Brandy C	July 2011
Great tour. James out tour guide was great and very informative. This is the second time I have taken this tour. Highly Recommended!

Review by: Cassie S	July 2011
The tour of the actual house was really cool. The drive to and from the house on the bus? Not so much. The tour bus driver talked the entire time about random things to the point that no one was listening and everyone just kind of wanted to have their own conversations. We got off the bus early to escape his non-stop commentary.

Review by: Leslie R	June 2011
Not worth the money although we would have regretted having not done the tour as we thought it would be good. The guide was more interested in herself and her own voice than the group. Would be a better tour if you could take yourself around the house and if there were guides at certain points to chat to as you feel you are rushed around at points in the tour. Good countryside ride out though to San Jose. Would not recommend this at all.

Review by: Susanne S	May 2011
Our trip to the Winchester Mansion was very well done with the exception of not very good directions to the bus from the main office. I realize everyone is very busy but a little extra time on directions when it's the first time being there would e very appreciated. Besides this our bus driver was very knowledgeable and told us about the country side on our way to the Mansion. and timing was very punctual. A very nice experience. Thank you!

Review by: Sharon I	May 2011
Really enjoyed the trip, despite being caught in traffic on the way there! The House was amazing and very interesting and glad I visited.

Review by: charlotte C	November 2010
Wish the tour started earlier. We didn't have enough time to tour the gardens, the houses on the property , the restaurant and gift shop. It took a while to San Jose from SF. Maybe hotel pickup should have started earlier..(this tour started at 2 p.m.).they seem to have a time schedule the have to adhere to at the tour co. However, that said, the house is magnificent and the house guide very illuminating. I strongly suggest the tour. THe next time I'll be w/ my grandson so I don't think I"ll take a tour bus. We'll fly in to San Jose...it's worth seeing the town, too. IF you're a history buff, it's worth taking the time. '

Review by: Kenneth N	October 2010
james the driver certainly made the trip more enjoyable. it was a very unique and interesting experience.

Review by: Celeste B	September 2010
This was a very interesting home. Entire family was interested in the history of the home.

Review by: DEBBIE Y	July 2010
The Mystery House was fabulous. The tour guide was knowledgable and had many stories to share that made the tour even better.

Review by: Samantha G, United States of America	June 2010
This was a very interesting place to visit. The only thing I wasn't happy about was that we couldn't take pictures in the house. Other than that it was great.

Review by: reginald a, United States of America	May 2010
Very interesting house. Everyone should visit at least once and hear the story.

Review by: Reginald A	May 2010
Very interesting house. Everyone should visit at least once and hear the story.

Review by: Kathleen E, United States of America	April 2010
The house and the story behind it are certainly unique, but as I went through the house - I could see the reason behind some of the very odd things - like the window in the floor let light into the room below.. Certainly worth doing.

Review by: Kevin J, United States of America	March 2010
Very interesting house and history. The tour guide makes the trip and easy, relaxing time.

Review by: Donna H	March 2010
Very interesting, worth the trip.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	January 2010
The driver was very friendly and helpful! Gave us great tips on restaurants too. The staff at the house was very friendly too. Had a good time and was very interesting to learn about the house and its history. It was just a little far fro the city but it was worth it.

Review by: John C, United States of America	November 2009
Driver was full of interesting information. Well worth the money.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	November 2009
My son whose is 10 years old and I loved it! Thanks for having transportation from San Francisco! My hotel concierge at San Francisco Marriot Marquis had no idea of your trip and told me to rent a car or take a train to get to the Winchester house. Thanks for the great trip!

Review by: Annette D, Australia	October 2009
Found this tour to be very interesting but not everyone everyone's cup of tea. Fascinating once once you got inside.

Review by: Gavin D	October 2009
Found this tour to be very interesting but not everyone everyone's cup of tea. Fascinating once once you got inside.

Review by: Diana J, United States of America	September 2009
The driver was punctual and his commentary entertaining. The tour departure office was right across from my hotel, was clean, pleasant and had adequate seating and vending machines. Staff were polite. We had no problems of any kind.

Review by: DIANA J	September 2009
The driver was punctual and his commentary entertaining. The tour departure office was right across from my hotel, was clean, pleasant and had adequate seating and vending machines. Staff were polite. We had no problems of any kind.

Review by: Margarita M, United States of America	August 2009
We loved everything about it! It was so much fun! We would definitely take this tour again, and I recommend it to family and friends. Thank you for a great day.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	August 2009
It was a great tour. It was wonderful to see a landmark.

Review by: Heather L, United States of America	August 2009
Could have used more time to explore the grounds, but it was definitely worth seeing and going to. The driver knew a ton about the landmarks we passed.

Review by: Margarita/ Danette Juliet	August 2009
We loved everything about it! It was so much fun! We would definitely take this tour again, and I recommend it to family and friends. Thank you for a great day.

Review by: Dawn L	August 2009
Could have used more time to explore the grounds, but it was definitely worth seeing and going to. The driver knew a ton about the landmarks we passed.

Review by: Nicole J, United States of America	July 2009
An awesome historical site! The drive about 1.5 hours from San Francisco offered beautiful views!

Review by: Tina B, United States of America	July 2009
We totally enjoyed our trip. The guides were friendly and very knowledgeable. The pickup and drop-off service was very convenient as well. Once we were at the mansion, we had a fabulous time. I was completely impressed that our tour guide had the entire 90 minute tour memorized! Overall we had a great time, and I would definitely recommend this trip.

Review by: Anonymous	June 2009
Old furniture in an old woman's old house. For those who appreciate odd architecture, and dated interior decorating, this may be up your alley. But for others with shorter attention spans, and no interest in the aforementioned, the experience could be painfully dull. Expect a few gimmicks and novelties to lure in tourists, but if you can imagine them well enough in your mind, you really don't need to see them in person. While my girlfriend enjoyed the antique decor, it felt to me as though we were being dragged from one stale diorama to another. Attached to the gift shop is a place to get food, but when my girlfriend asked for some chips around 4.00 PM closing time is 5, she was denied with a kitchens closed. So, if you're hungry after a late afternoon tour, you're out of luck. On her end, my girlfriend found that was a wonderful tour for people who have a respect for Victorian architecture and a love for history. As for being spooked or amazed, this house was definitely lacking. It is quite unique and different from the everyday house, but not as bazaar as one would expect. The tour consists of winding through rooms and opening various cabinet doors to reveal nothing. The interior findings, which are not original to the house, were a major disappointment, although they have been replaced with some various antiques donated from that era. She did, however, get a couple of interesting pictures from one area that revealed several peculiar orbs of light, if you believe in that sort of thing. The tour is guided. It would have been nice to be able to explore the house on our own. The gardens are beautiful and a good photo op, and the outside of the mansion is breathtaking.

Review by: Elizabeth M, Canada	May 2009
Super fun. It was a nice tour. We took our time going through the house, but in the end in order to get really good photos, just buy the book in the gift store. Most of my film was wasted due to lighting. It gave me a few ideas for when I build my own house. I also really loved the gift shop. I spent a lot of money there.

Review by: Lori M, Canada	May 2009
Very enjoyable - a unique experience. I am glad we decided on this tour.

Review by: Rose S, United States of America	May 2009
The house was amazing. Tour bus very clean, but VERY rough riding and cold. Think a tire was out of balance and the vent on top was open. Like a freezer in the bus.

Review by: Deborah F, United States of America	April 2009
An interesting place to visit. I would recommend it for families with children over the age of 7, unless they are very interested in history.