Doesn’t the name Top Gun House just conjure up images of fighter jets? The Top Gun House, known formerly as the Graves House, stands as a nostalgic monument. It is a testament to Hollywood’s enduring impact.
This charming house gained fame as the dwelling of Charlie Blackwood. Kelly McGillis played her in the iconic 1986 film, Top Gun. But its story begins long before Maverick and Goose soared into our hearts.
In 1886, Dr. Henry Graves, a surgeon from Ohio, purchased this lot. He paid $1050. He envisioned a seasonal summer home for himself and his wife, Sarah. Completed in 1888, this Folk Victorian house is one of the earliest surviving examples in San Diego County.
The Graves family enjoyed their summers here until 1905. They then sold it to Charles and Lillian Burlock. The house changed hands several times. Locals continued to call it the Graves cottage until 1914.
By 1975, the house had fallen into disrepair. Lynn and William Rego bought it for $75,000. They painted it blue. This gave the house its signature color. In 1985, Paramount Pictures contacted the Regos. They were seeking a beach cottage for a film location. The studio rented the house for two weeks in June. The crew prepped the location. They removed road signs. They covered curbs with sand.
The Top Gun House was noted in a Cultural Resource Survey in 1992. It was recognized as one of the few 1880s beach cottages remaining in near-pristine condition.
In 2001, the Save Our Heritage Organisation listed the building as endangered. This was due to a planned hotel construction. The block was cleared for the new hotel. Three other historic houses were destroyed. Only the Pishon house was saved by relocation.
S.D. Malkin Properties, Inc. stepped in. They announced plans to restore the Top Gun House. It would become the centerpiece of a new resort. In 2020, the house was relocated a block north. It found its new home in the courtyard of the Mission Pacific Hotel. The grand reopening was on May 20, 2022. This was just a week before the release of Top Gun: Maverick. The restoration cost almost $1 million.
Today, the Top Gun House is home to High-Pie. This is a pie shop created by Tara Lazar. It is open daily, offering pies in various flavors. Apple, cherry, blueberry, lemon, and peach pies are available. The shop also sells themed beverages and merchandise.
Don’t miss the replica of Tom Cruise’s Kawasaki GPZ900R. It stands proudly in front of the house. It provides a perfect photo opportunity.
The Top Gun House is more than just a movie location. It is a symbol of Oceanside’s history and a testament to the power of film. It is a place where nostalgia meets delicious pie.