California Flowers and Gardens
Filoli Gardens & Estate, Woodside
Open February through October86 Caņada
Road, Woodside, California 94062
Directions: Approx. 30 miles south of
San Francisco in Woodside, south of
Highways 92 and 280 Junction.
Call: (650) 364.8300 x507
Tickets, reservations for events: filoli.org
Woodside, Calif.--Filoli Gardens is a 654-acre estate nestled in the foothills of the Coastal Range on the San Francisco Peninsula. Open to the public, the San Mateo County mansion features 43 rooms and exquisite gardens set to a backdrop of looming mountains.
Named Filoli -- which stands for "to Fight, to Love, to Live," William Bourne built the country retreat in 1917. His elegant estate includes both priceless interior decor and collections, and exterior gardens unparalleled in their beauty and grace.
Nearly 100 years ago in 1915, nothing but woods filled Woodside community. The design for the classic garden was a collaboration between the Bourn family and Bruce Porter, who was known for his garden designs incorporating parterres, terraces, lawns and pools.
The estate and gardens have been featured in many film productions, but the public can enjoy the same ambience in tours available most the year. Special events are also held at the venue such as Jazz at Filoli, Afternoon Tea, and annual fundraisers. In addition to a staff of horticulturists and gardeners, hundreds of volunteers help maintain the gardens, tours and programs at this non-profit museum and botanic garden, listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Nowhere are the seasons more noticed than at the Filoli gardens, a timeless experience worth the visit to this exclusive mansion.
Spring: Dormant during the winter months, the land bursts into life with 58,000 tulips and 25,000 daffodils most springs. From late April to June, the 500 roses at Filoli stand in splendor, offering a delicate, delightful fragrance.
Summer: The summer season blossoms with cherry, pear, and apple trees in a wonderland of pink and white. Summer visitors delight in the kitchen garden with colorful veges such as red 'Cayenne Slim' chili and the 'Purple Ruffles' basil, which are both used in making Filoli's estate-crafted vinegars. Late summer is peak season for the intricate knot garden, which then gives way to the fragrant lavender. Summer bouquets of cut flowers at Filoli Gardens grace s and mansion decor with stunning displays of blue, purple, and dusty white highlights.
Fall: Autumn is when Filoli's Fall Festival is held. Guests taste 50 varieties of pears and apples and an amazing collection of sweet, juicy and fragrant American hybrid grapes.
Winter: Filoli is closed from November to February.