A short 18-mile drive from the Pacific Ocean, the greater Fallbrook area is well known for its gently rolling hills, lush groves, ancient oak trees, equestrian and walking trails, riparian areas, nature preserves, and Mediterranean climate.
Fallbrook Architecture
Fallbrook was founded in 1885 and while few buildings still exist from that era,
the Late Victorian influence is definitely represented in the local architecture
in the downtown area. In the the residential areas the most popular style is
Mediterranean.
First
Christian Church
Each town in America needs a white church with a tall
steeple—Fallbrook’s can be found on the corner of Fig and Mission. Originally
built as a Methodist church, the historical First Christian Church was
constructed in 1887.
The building features fish scale shingles, side gables, and a gothic revival bell
tower and steeple.
William
Pittenger House
Across Fig Street form the First Christian Church is the Reverend William
Pittenger House. Pittenger was the minister of the church in the 1890's and his
residence is a small Victorian Cottage. The home is currently in
use as the Alzheimer Day Care Center.
Pittenger, a Civil War hero and Medal of Honor winner, also had a summer home
located just a few miles away at 260 Rocky Crest Road, now the Fallbrook
Historical Museum.
El
Real Hotel
The formidable 1930 El Real Hotel with its curious wine bottle stained glass
windows, is located in the heart of downtown Fallbrook at 125 South Main Street.
The vintage building now houses the Packing House Restaurant downstairs and
an assortment of shops and offices upstairs in the old hotel rooms. In the
not-so-distant past it is rumored the hotel was home to a brothel, but rumors
aside, it is known that the hotel had a bar that ran the entire length of the
building downstairs.
The brick exterior is largely untouched and looks much as it did in 1930, but on the
southern side you'll notice some Victorian gingerbread trim above the upstairs windows,
that was added much later.
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