Filoli
add photosThe Filoli estate was built for the Bourns, a prominent San Franciscan family whose wealth was the Empire Mine, a hard-rock gold mine in Grass Valley, California.
The grounds and gardens are simply breathtaking and ever-changing. Filoli offers a wonderful array of special events and exhibits throughout the year, including our traditional Mother's Day Flower Show, our summer Jazz at Filoli Concert Series, Holiday Traditions and our always popular monthly Afternoon Tea at Filoli. Be sure to check the website for more details.
Additional fee apply for special events.
Cafe located on-site.
8 Reviews for Filoli
189
56
'11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"Bring the grandparents and the camera!"
Photo ops abound in this flower wonderland. The gardens are eye-popping and the house is an interesting and educational experience. I especially loved walking through the old kitchens.
The garden paths are stroller-friendly.
The cafe is expensive, but has decent food.
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0 families found this helpful
"Wonderful"
This is a wonderful place with a beautiful mansion to visit and gardens that are dream. It is such a beauty when everything is in bloom. They organize great events: art, concert series, and tea parties. I had my doubt at first when I brought my children there (12 and 8) but I never imagined as much they would enjoy it. After a quick tour of the home, we spent hours in the garden, walking as well as sitting and just enjoying the views. We did not want to leave but had to, it was closing time! They have a beautiful gift shop with original products and delicious honey from their grounds. We had never taste honey that was so good, buying that honey itself is worth the trip!
1 family found this helpful
"Hidden treasures"
We love this place. Built as a home to a shipping magnate, Mr. William Bowers Bourne, and named after his motto, “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” The house and grounds have been used for numerous films (a list is available in the entryway). The gardens are beautiful and seasonal. It's a great place to celebrate Mother's Day with a tasty brunch and a special family time away from technology. The house has a number of "hidden" cabinets and entry ways. We were able to find a few. How many can you find?
1 family found this helpful
"Beautiful gardens"
We've been to Filoli many times. Some of it can be hard to maneuver with a stroller but there are many places you can just sit and enjoy the view. They have special events during the holidays and it is a nice place to take all ages if you have a family get together.
1 family found this helpful
"What a BEAUTIFUL setting"
I don't know how long this place would hold a small childs attention, but for an adult, Filoli is AMAZING! Year round they have different flowers in bloom. The rose garden is just beautiful.
The mansion is great for a small tour. You can do a self guided tour which is an easy walk.
The best time to go to Filoli in my opinion is on a warm summer day.
2 families found this helpful
"Filoli Gardens!"
The most beautiful gardens with the most helpful docent guides. They have special events for the children. We attended the Harvest/Halloween one. It was so much fun. The kids decorated pumpkins, made necklaces, tasted pumpkin spreads, and walked through beautiful gardens. It's a little expensive for the special events.
1 family found this helpful
"Mansion and Beautiful Gardens"
Check if they are open before going. They are closed certain times of the year. The 16-acre English Renaissance garden is a favorite for moms and grandmas. Kids would enjoy exploring through the amazing gardens. There is admission for the mansion tour, a cafe for lunch, special events and talks scheduled.
1 family found this helpful
"Fun for kids and adults"
Filoli is a constantly changing work of man and nature that's fun for waddling toddlers and up. The gardens are gorgeous and abound with the most amazing flora. This past year, we've been twice with my toddler and he's loved picking and naming all the apples and pears that have fallen off the fruit trees. In the early spring, he loved trying to smell all the colorful and gigantic tulips that were in full bloom everywhere. There's lots of trails to walk on and rocks to collect. The hardest part is keeping them off the lawns which are just so inviting. There's an area beneath some gorgeous trees that is a great place to sit on benches and enjoy a snack with younger kids. The cafe is also great for lunch, but be sure to come early to beat the noontime rush. There are a limited number of highchairs too, so being early helps especially if you're with with a larger group and have more than one kid who needs a highchair. Love coming here with my girlfriends and our kids.
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