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Filoli House & Garden

Cañada Road, Woodside, California

Description

Filoli is a country house located in Woodside, on the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. It was built in 1915-17 for William Bowers Bourn II, the then president of the Spring Valley Water Company, supplying San Francisco's water and owner of one of California's richest gold mines. Today, it is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and furniture has been added back to some of the rooms to help recreate a period atmosphere. Visitors can also visit the 6.5ha garden with its contrasting Georgian-style terraces and formal English Renaissance-style sections, as well as the surrounding Estate.

Access & Transport

The house is off Cañada Rd, close to exit 29 of the I-280 between San Francisco and San Jose. The closest public transport / train station appears to be back in Redwood City, 10km to the east.

Instructions & Recommendations

Reservations are required and tickets tend to sell out on weekends (summer especially). No pets allowed

Meta review

A popular attraction in San Mateo County with excellent online comments regarding the gardens, especially in spring and summer, but more mixed reviews of the house with some visitors being a little underwhelmed and disappointed that the bedrooms on the upper floor could not be viewed. Good feedback regarding the friendliness of guides/docent and the presence of a cafe as well as picnic tables.

Environmental & Social

Some efforts relating to managing water intensity, low carbon footprint and helps preserve an architectural and artistic (the gardens mainly) heritages.

Conclusion

We would recommend Filoli to anybody who enjoy beautiful estates and gardens with the visit of the early 20th century house as a bonus (but not the main draw). A little shallow on historical aspect and debatable value (by international standards) but it makes for a nice half day out.

Key positive

Gorgeous landscaped gardens

Attractive house architecture

Key negative

Expensive

Suitability

Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility via some ramps and special routes through the gardens

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 40m

est. visit time:2h 30m

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 17:00

Tuesday10:00 - 17:00

Wednesday10:00 - 17:00

Thursday10:00 - 17:00

Friday10:00 - 17:00

Saturday10:00 - 17:00

Sunday10:00 - 17:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
US$22
Adult
18 - 64
US$25
Child
5 - 17
US$15
Infant
0 - 4
US$0
Price for students is $20

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