James Johnston House, Half Moon Bay

About James Johnston House

The Johnston House, known as the White House of Half Moon Bay, is a historic residence built between 1853 and 1855 on the California coast. Visitors tour this classic New England salt box structure with knowledgeable costumed docents who share the house's unique history and stories of the pioneer Johnston family who lived there. The restored house features redwood floors and stairways returned to their original condition. The restoration effort revealed details about the household's occupants, including a Chinese cook named Sam and the servant's quarters. Visitors see how the home sits on its original location, remaining a visible landmark from the ocean. The Johnston House offers insight into nineteenth-century coastal family life through its preserved architecture and documented history spanning from the 1850s through its meticulous restoration.