Things to Do at Filoli Historic House and Garden

Complete Guide to Filoli Historic House and Garden in Palo Alto

About Filoli Historic House and Garden

Filoli Historic House and Garden is a magnificent 654-acre estate located in Woodside, California (near Palo Alto), featuring a stunning Georgian Revival mansion and 16 acres of formal English Renaissance gardens. Built between 1915-1917 by gold rush millionaire William Bowers Bourn II, Filoli Historic House and Garden represents one of the finest remaining examples of early 20th-century American country estate design, with the house containing 56 rooms filled with original furnishings and decorative arts. The estate's name 'Filoli' comes from Bourn's credo: 'Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.' Filoli Historic House and Garden gained additional fame as the exterior filming location for the Carrington mansion in the 1980s television series 'Dynasty.' Today, this National Trust Historic Site offers visitors an immersive experience into California's Gilded Age, combining architectural splendor with horticultural excellence across meticulously maintained gardens that bloom with seasonal displays throughout the year.

What to See & Do

The Historic Mansion

Tour the 43-room Georgian Revival mansion at Filoli Historic House and Garden, featuring original period furnishings, Venetian glass windows, and rooms like the grand ballroom and library that showcase early 20th-century luxury living

Formal Gardens

Explore 16 acres of meticulously designed gardens at Filoli Historic House and Garden, including the Sunken Garden with its reflecting pool, the Rose Garden with over 700 rose bushes, and the Walled Garden featuring seasonal plantings

Nature Preserve

Walk the trails through Filoli Historic House and Garden's 654-acre nature preserve, offering hiking paths through oak woodlands, meadows, and along Filoli's historic reservoir with views of the Santa Cruz Mountains

Visitor Center and Museum Shop

Begin your visit at Filoli Historic House and Garden's visitor center, which houses exhibits about the estate's history, the Bourn and Roth families, and offers a museum shop with garden-inspired gifts and books

Special Events and Exhibitions

Experience seasonal events at Filoli Historic House and Garden such as the annual Holiday Traditions celebration, spring garden tours, outdoor concerts, and rotating art exhibitions in the mansion's galleries

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Filoli Historic House and Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with last entry at 2:30 PM. The estate is closed on Mondays except for holiday Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Tickets & Pricing

General admission to Filoli Historic House and Garden is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors (65+), and $15 for youth (5-17). Children under 5 are free. House tours require an additional $10 fee. Advance reservations are required and can be made online or by phone.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Filoli Historic House and Garden is during spring (March-May) when the gardens are in peak bloom, or during the holiday season (November-December) when the mansion is decorated for Holiday Traditions. Weekday visits to Filoli offer smaller crowds and a more intimate experience.

Suggested Duration

Plan to spend 3-4 hours at Filoli Historic House and Garden to fully experience both the mansion tour and gardens, or 2-3 hours if focusing primarily on either the house or gardens. Nature preserve hiking can add an additional 1-2 hours to your visit.

Getting There

Filoli Historic House and Garden is located at 86 Cañada Road in Woodside, California, approximately 30 miles south of San Francisco and 10 miles west of Palo Alto. From Palo Alto, take Highway 280 south to the Edgewood Road exit, then follow signs to Filoli Historic House and Garden. The estate provides free on-site parking for visitors. Public transportation options are limited, but ride-sharing services and taxis can reach Filoli Historic House and Garden from nearby cities. The nearest Caltrain station is in San Mateo, about 15 minutes away by car.

Things to Do Nearby

Woodside Store Historic Site
A preserved 1850s general store and post office that served as a social center for early Woodside residents, located just minutes from Filoli Historic House and Garden

Huddart County Park
A 973-acre park offering hiking trails through redwood forests and oak woodlands, providing outdoor recreation opportunities near Filoli Historic House and Garden

Wunderlich County Park
Former estate grounds featuring 942 acres of hiking trails, historic buildings, and equestrian facilities, showcasing another example of Peninsula estate history

this destination Campus
The prestigious university campus in nearby Palo Alto features beautiful architecture, the Cantor Arts Center, and the iconic Hoover Tower, complementing a visit to Filoli Historic House and Garden

Pulgas Water Temple
An elegant classical monument celebrating the arrival of Hetch Hetchy water to the Bay Area, offering a unique architectural sight within 10 minutes of Filoli Historic House and Garden

Tips & Advice

Wear comfortable walking shoes when visiting Filoli Historic House and Garden as you'll be walking on gravel paths through the gardens and standing during mansion tours.

Photography is allowed in the gardens at Filoli Historic House and Garden but not inside the mansion, so capture your memories of the outdoor spaces and estate grounds.

Visit Filoli Historic House and Garden during weekdays for a more peaceful experience with smaller crowds and better photo opportunities in the gardens.

Bring layers of clothing when visiting Filoli Historic House and Garden as the estate's location in the foothills can experience temperature changes throughout the day, especially in the gardens and nature preserve.