Lush gardens with banyan trees and ornate waterfalls.

A spectacular view of the Coral Gables Waterway and a massive sailboat.

Circular entranceways leading into the two-story living room with a fireplace and elegant dining room with hand-painted murals.

These are only a few of the features of Java Head, a massive home built in 1936 for nationally known food and drink editor Charles Baker.

Java Head, now owned by Sallye and James Jude, is one of five homes that will be open on Saturday during the Coral Gables Historic Preservation Association's Homes Tour.

``There is just so much history,'' said Sallye Jude, who helped plan the tour as part of the American Institute of Architects Miami Chapter's Celebrate Architecture + Design 2009. ``It is important to preserve history.''

Miami's Celebrate Architecture + Design 2009 is a monthlong celebration of architecture, including more than 30 events throughout the county.

Connie Crowther, who does public relations for the event, is also a member of the Coral Gables' Historic Preservation Association and thought the homes tour would fit into the celebration.

``This is something we have been trying to do for a long time,'' Crowther said. ``There are just some beautiful homes in Coral Gables.''

Guests will have access to tour five architecturally and historically significant homes, including one in Coral Gables' Pioneer Village and one in the city's French Village. They will be given brochures with information about each home.

``I don't think a lot of people realize how many different styles of architecture there are in this city,'' Crowther said.

The tour was put together by the Historic Preservation Association, which was established in 1990 in order for historic homeowners to help each other face the challenges and responsibilities of owning older properties.

``We need to raise awareness of the importance of historic preservation,'' said Lisa Bennett, president of the association. ``The tour is a way to do that.''

Planning for the tour began months ago. Historic Preservation Association members asked for volunteers willing to open up their homes.

From a long list, the group decided on five that show styles from Art Deco to early pioneer.

The Judes' home will house those guests who pay $50 -- just a tour of the homes costs $30 -- for a lecture and reception. The money raised will go toward the nonprofit association.

Sallye Jude said Tuesday that she and her husband were doing some last-minute ``decluttering'' and cleaning up to get the house ready for visitors.

Set on 3 ½ acres, Java Head is built 22 feet above sea level. Accessible by two entrances, most of the property is shaded by large trees and foliage.

The Judes have lived in the home that has 22 rooms, including a study and seven bedrooms, since 1964.

``We have really made in effort to keep it pretty much the same that it was when it was built,'' said James Jude, a retired cardiovascular surgeon.

Sallye Jude, who is known around Miami-Dade County as a historic preservationist, said the details in the molding, the spaciousness and the high ceilings initially attracted her to the home.

``Modern doesn't necessarily mean better,'' Sallye Jude said. ``We can all learn a lot from the things they did in the past.''