Filoli

One of the best gardens in the Bay Area. You can complete the self guided tour within 1 hour if you are just interested in taking snapshots instead of reading the descriptions like I do :) Greatly recommended!!

Our trip to Filoli was indeed a lovely getaway to the countryside from the city. Once we got there it was hard to believe such a place exists only 30 minutes (or so) from SF.

It was a grey June gloom day with a few sprinkles here and there but that still didn't put a damper on our visit (pun not intended).

Some highlights about our visit:
- cheerful volunteers are spread throughout the property and are there to (happily) answer your questions
- everything was so well-preserved in this stunning estate from the reception room to the full kitchen(s)
- that incredible garden. I felt like I had walked into the Secret Garden. The gardeners do a spectacular job keeping everything looking so manicured

As a history buff I enjoyed learning about the Bourns, wealthy SF natives who moved out this way (along with several other affluent families) seeking larger land after the 1906 earthquake. After having lived in this property for several years it was donated to The National Trust for Historic Preservation by the second owner, Mrs. Roth in the mid-70s.

I would love to come back during the holidays when the estate is decked with Christmas trimmings and decorations. I know my MIL would adore this place. Perhaps she'd be impressed to learn that the bird's eye view in the start of the opening credit to Dynasty was in fact the Filoli estate. I actually hadn't known that bit of info beforehand. I read more about it at home later that evening.

Fi fi fi lo li........guess what Filoli stands for?

Fi - "Fight for a just  cause"
Lo - "Love your fellow man"
Li - "Live a good life"

Well said, Mr. William Bowers Bourne (aka the original owner of this beautiful estate and later purchased by Mr. & Mrs. William Roth).  The Roths later then donated this estate (House and the Garden) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for public enjoyment, preservation, and stewardship.

This is one of the must-see/tour places in Northern CA!!  Visitors can explore the house and the garden at their leisure.  There's self-guided booklets for self-tour.  Or, you can join the tour group where they go through the history of the house and garden as they walk you through the entire premise.  (If you're in a rush, you're better off doing the self-tour and just explore the places at your own pace.)

The house is huge, filled with beautfiul antiques, decor and furnitures.

The gardens...well...I was way more impressed with the gardens here!!!!  Beautiful, full of vibrant colors, beautiful variety of flowers and plants, spacious, luscious greens....you can tell these gardens have been very well preserved and taken care of up to this day!  I even spotted a peacock!  Yes! A peacock!!!!  (Proof is in my photos)

Hungry?  Starving?  Need a quick bite?
There's a Cafe there!  It's nestled in the woods in a conservatory-style indoor and outdoor setting.  They have a nice lunch menu selections, coffee, desserts, and sweets.

Need a souvenior?
There's a gift shop at the Carriage House filled with seasonal and Filoli-inspired merchandise, clothing, furniture, garden decor and accessories.  =)

FREE admissions if you're Filoli member!
Otherwise it's $15 (Adult), $5 (Students).  Children 4 and under are free.

Please come check out Filoli if you're ever in the area.  It's worth your time and your trip. Perfect for a weekend getaway, a day trip, for family and kids.  Perfect for a morning/afternoon stroll while enjoying the beautfiul scenery and the garden.