If the house above looks familiar, then you’re probably an 80s filmgoer who liked one of the biggest box office blockbusters of all time, “Top Gun” (1986). From the plaque in front of the quaint little home:
From the plaque in front: Built in 1887 by Dr. Henry Graves as a vacation home, The Graves House is an oceanfront Queen Anne Cottage and is now recognized as the “last best” existing such house in San Diego county. This house is best known by most people as The Top Gun House because of its prominent role in the movie of the same name. Scenes between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis were filmed here in 1985 and the popular movie was released in 1986. In 2022 the house was fully restored in conjunction with the grand opening of Mission Pacific Hotel and The Seabird Resort.
Above and below are two screencaps from the movie showing this Oceanside home:
Edited from the visitoceanside website:
In 1886 Dr. Henry Graves of Riverside came to Oceanside and while here bought a portion of a lot on North Pacific Street for just $1.00. The following year Graves purchased two more lots, one of which was on the northwest corner of Pacific and First Streets (now Seagaze Drive). Lot 7 on Block 16 was purchased for $1050.00 and would be the site of a new summer home for himself and his wife Sarah. The ornate Victorian cottage was built as a vacation home, Dr. and Mrs. Graves would “summer” in Oceanside and return to Riverside. The Graves sold their Oceanside home in March of 1905 for $1800, to Charles H. and Lillian Burlock. Dr. Henry Graves died on October 20, 1905, in Riverside at the age of 78. In 1921 the home was purchased by F. C. Janssen who was active in Oceanside real estate. The cottage was sold in 1926 to B. C. and Margaret Beers, the former being the President of the First National Bank of Oceanside and the developer of the Plumosa Heights subdivision on Alberta, Leonard and West Streets. The cottage was sold again to Edward and Edith Deggendorf in 1928, who promptly sold it to Angeline G. Morgan who also purchased a house and lot behind the Graves house on Lot 6. Angeline Morgan enlarged the former Graves cottage in 1929. She rented out the house until 1936 when she came to live there herself for a period of about five or six years until returning to San Bernardino to be nearer to her son. She relocated again by 1950 and her son, William M. Morgan, rented the house to the rear (112 First Street) for he and his family. By 1966 Morgan had moved to Encinitas and the cottage was purchased by the owner of the beach amusement park, Pacific Holidayland.
The Graves house reverted again to a rental property and over the years became dilapidated. Lynn and William Rego of West Covina, however, saw a diamond in the rough, and purchased the house in December of 1975 for $75,000. Much like Dr. and Mrs. Graves, they spent their summers in Oceanside looking over the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and renting it out the remainder of the year. In 1985 the Regos were contacted by Paramount Pictures looking for a beach cottage for a film location. Paramount rented the house (including the property at 112 First Street) in June for two weeks. The crew prepped the perimeter of the property by removing parking and street signs and covering the curbs with sand. The movie being filmed was “Top Gun”, which became a blockbuster upon its release in 1986. In 2001 the City of Oceanside acquired the Graves house through eminent domain to control future development of the oceanfront block in hopes of securing a resort project. Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) recognized the significance of the Graves house in 2001 and included it on their Most Endangered List of Historic Resources, saying: “This sweet Victorian era seaside cottage was built for Doctor Graves from Riverside. It is the oldest and last best beachfront cottage in Oceanside. Featured in the movie Top Gun, it has consequently been known as the Top Gun Cottage. The site is threatened by the huge hotel development proposed by Manchester Resort Hotels and the City of Oceanside. The cottage is on a corner of the property and could easily be integrated into the development and used as an adjunct facility to the hotel. Right now, it appears it will be moved off site, out of context, with its use yet to be determined.” The Manchester project, a twelve-story, 475-room hotel failed, leaving Oceanside without its desired resort hotel overlooking the Oceanside Pier. However, two blocks fronting Pacific Street were cleared in anticipation of a new hotel project. Block 16 on which the Top Gun house was located, had four other historic homes.
The house known as the Pishon house, located on the southwest corner of Mission and Pacific Streets was moved to a location on Maxson Street. Three other historic houses were demolished, including the house behind the Graves house, at 112 First Street (now Seagaze) which was used in the “Top Gun” movie. By 2010 the “Top Gun” house was the only structure remaining on the block and seemed to be in the “Danger Zone.” In 2018 S. D. Malkin Properties, Inc. announced two new resort projects by developer Jeremy Cohen. Many wondered what would become of the “Top Gun” house. With the support and influence of Save Our Heritage Organization and the Oceanside Historical Society, the Graves house aka “Top Gun” house would be restored by S. D. Malkin and used as the “centerpiece of Oceanside’s much anticipated new oceanfront resort.” Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new hotels were held in February of 2019. The cottage was relocated one block away for structural restoration. Afterward much of the work had been completed, it was moved one block north of its original location in front of the beautiful new Mission Pacific Hotel. The cottage is still situated on North Pacific Street, facing the ocean, which was important in preserving its historical integrity and setting. Architectural Digest reported: “Among the projects were restoring the wood cladding and front windows, dismantling the original chimney, and rebuilding it with the same historic bricks, and bringing back gingerbread details. Both porches had also been damaged and were restored.” In May 2026, the story levels up. An’s Gelato is set to take over the iconic space with its bold new “Gate D5” concept- bringing an aviation-inspired vibe, creative flavors, and a fresh wave of energy to the coast. It’s the perfect next chapter for a place that’s always captured imaginations- bigger, brighter, and ready for takeoff.
Whew, that’s a lot of background! In front is another “prop” from the movie. Well, kind of, as the sign describes:
This Kawasaki Ninja ZX900 is an exact replica of the motorcycle made famous in the movie “Top Gun.” Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise, rode it to visit his love interest, Charloe “Charlie” Blackwood, played by Kelly McGillis, who in the movie lived in this very house.
An’s Gelato was not open for biz yet, thus the lockbox on the door still:
I had to give Tom Cruise a run for his money, posing on the cycle with dear friend Mona (the only person I would go to Oceanside for!). Although it has since expired, yes, I once had a license to drive a motorcycle. Back then, this would have been referred to as a “crotch rocket.”
See more Oceanside photos at my main website.
