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Policies and Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE YOUR GENERAL VISITOR POLICIES?

The following are not permitted on tours of The Gamble House:
• Food and beverages;
• Bags, purses, and backpacks larger than 12” h x 14” w x 5” d;
• Strollers or baby-carrier backpacks (unless convertible to the front);
• Umbrellas (exterior storage area will be made available at tour exit);
• Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted on tours, but we welcome service dogs and psychiatric service dogs.

To ensure the safety of the collection and to provide a pleasant touring experience for all guests, we ask that you adhere to the following policies:
• Smoking or other use of tobacco products (including, but not limited to, cigarettes, pipes, cigars, snuff, or chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaporized devices) is prohibited in any part of the Gamble House interior, exterior terraces or grounds.
• Please silence all mobile devices prior beginning of your tour.
• Unless instructed to do so by your docent, do not touch wood, glass or decorative objects inside the Gamble House. Please do not lean on walls, furniture or counters.
• Please wear broad-heeled (at least 2” wide at base) shoes or flats. Tour “booties” will be provided to guests who do not have compliant footwear.

IS THERE PARKING?

Free parking is available on Westmoreland Place (20 spots in-front of the Gamble House, please so not park in the Neighborhood Church parking lot), Orange Grove Blvd. and Walnut St. Please avoid parking on the surrounding residential streets (Arroyo Terrace).

IS THE HOUSE ACCESSIBLE?

Accessibility Information:
The Gamble House welcomes guests with special accessibility needs. Guests with questions regarding accessibility or who would like to arrange accommodations for their visit are kindly asked to contact our Tour and Education Manager at (626) 793-7419 or email jenniferm@gamblehouse.org prior to the day of their visit so that we are able to accommodate as fully as possible. Persons providing direct assistance to paying guests with accessibility needs will not be charged admission.

Wheelchair Access:
There is limited first floor access with the use of a wheelchair (manual only) stair lift device operated by Gamble House staff. Please note, the lift device can not accommodate all manual wheelchairs. We are not able to accommodate electric wheel chairs. If possible, please contact us in advance of your visit so that we are able to accommodate as fully as possible.

Walkers:
Walkers are permitted. All walkers will be inspected to ensure they do not pose a potential hazard to the historic rugs and floors. Please note: The front entrance of the Gamble House requires the use of stairs. The second floor is accessible via a flight of 18 stairs. The attic (third level) is accessible via a flight of 17 stairs.

Blind or Low Vision:
Large print and braille materials as well as handling objects are available. Please ask for these materials when you purchase your tour tickets.
• Certified service animals are permitted on tours.
• If a guest who is blind or has low vision wishes to bring someone to assist them on the tour, the persons providing assistance will not be charged admission.

Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
Typed tour scripts, in English, with detailed descriptions are available upon request.

IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED?

General Photography Policy

  • Still photography is permitted, for non-commercial use only. No flash photography is allowed. No tripods, monopods or selfie sticks are permitted. We encourage guests to share their photos online! #gamblehouse
  • Photography policies may vary during special exhibitions and installations. Your docent will provide details during your tour.
  • The operation or use of any drones, unmanned aircraft/flying systems, and remotely-controlled or radio-controlled flying machines (whether or not motorized) of all types, shapes, and sizes at any time in the vicinity of or on the Gamble House property is prohibited.
  • Professional or commercial photography and video inquiries should be directed to sheryl@gamblehouse.org.

Please note: Visitors to the Gamble House may be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded. By attending, you grant the permission to use photographs and/or audio visual recordings in which you appear for archival, documentary, publicity, advertising, or other purposes.

Special Occasion Photography
Wedding, engagement, graduation, and other portrait photography sessions of up to 1.5 hours are permitted with advance reservations (fees apply). Dates and time will be arranged with staff at the time of reservation. For reservations contact our Tour and Education Manager at (626) 793-7419 or email jenniferm@gamblehouse.org.
Note: The Gamble House does not provide or recommend photographers.

  • Advance reservations are required
  • No interior Occasion Photography is permitted. All Occasion Photography will take place on the exterior and grounds.
  • At no time is interior Occasion Photography permitted. All Occasion Photography will take place on the exterior and grounds.
  • No interior or exterior storage areas, changing rooms or restrooms are available.
  • No large props, heavy equipment or limos/autos are permitted without advance approval.
  • The exterior of the house is delicate, objects of any type are not to be hung or rested against the house.
  • For full details visit gamblehouse.org/occasion-photography

TIME OF FIRST TOUR/LAST TOUR?

Regularly scheduled tours take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sundays with starting times ranging from 10am to 12pm. Last tours of the day begin at 3:00pm.

IS ADVANCE PURCHASE REQUIRED FOR THE TOURS?

Advance purchase is highly recommended for our regular one-hour tour. Space is limited and tours often sell out! For all other tours, advance purchase is required. [read more…]

ARE LONGER/MORE DETAILED TOURS AVAILABLE?

Yes. Extended tours such as Behind the Velvet RopesFire & Light and Details & Joinery tours are regularly scheduled. Tickets for these tours can be booked online.

CAN I MAKE GROUP ARRANGEMENTS FOR ONE-HOUR DOCENT-LED TOURS?

Yes. Please call (626) 793-7419 for more information.

MAY THE GROUNDS BE FREELY EXPLORED?

Yes. We encourage our visitors to walk around the porches and in the surrounding landscape as much as they would like, as the guided tours mainly include the interior of the house. Don’t miss the restored Nancy Greene Glass Memorial Garden behind the bookstore.

ARE THERE ANY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE ON TOURS OR MERCHANDISE?

FRIENDS OF THE GAMBLE HOUSE MEMBERS:
Members of our support group, Friends of The Gamble House, receive free admission to our one-hour tours, special bookstore discounts and other benefits. Join today and enjoy all the benefits of being a “Friend.”
Individual and Student – 10% off merchandise and free admission* (member only)
Household and above – 20% off merchandise and free admission* (member and a guest)

NATIONAL TRUST MEMBER: 10% off admission*

CITY OF PASADENA EMPLOYEES: 10% off merchandise and admission* Please show business card or id for discount.

ACTIVE MILITARY: The Gamble House offers complimentary admission* to active members of the United States military with valid identification, and to military families with dependent cards year round. Tickets are available at the bookstore.

*Discount applies to regular, public one-hour tours. Specialty tours and events are excluded.
**Applies to Active, Active Provisional, Provisional, Active Gold Leaf, Associate Docents and current term Junior Docents.

CAN WE GO INSIDE THE HOUSE WITHOUT JOINING A TOUR?

Usually not. Entry to The Gamble House is by guided tour — except for special tour days, such as the day after Thanksgiving, and Museums of the Arroyo Day. Please check our tour calendar for additional dates.

ARE THERE REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?

Bottled water and a limited selection of other bottled beverages are available for purchase at the bookstore.

CAN THE GAMBLE HOUSE BE RENTED FOR EVENTS?

Yes. Selected locations inside and out are available for meetings, seminars, retreats, picnics, and special events. We do not rent for private parties and weddings. For information call (626) 793-7419.

DO YOU SELL TOUR GIFT CERTIFICATES?

Yes. Gift Certificates for tours and merchandise are sold through our Bookstore and can be purchased in person or over the phone at (626) 449-4178.

WILL A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GAMBLE HOUSE SPEAK TO OUR GROUP?

Yes, please email info@gamblehouse.org to make arrangements with our Docent Council Speaker Bureau.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EXTERIOR CONSERVATION OF THE GAMBLE HOUSE?

Our Restoration page has photographs, articles on procedures and materials, and specific product/material information — especially The Patina of Age, from Period Homes magazine.