by guest bloggers Ann Wojtysiak and Leonardo Tombelli

If you liked Downton Abby, Filoii is a charming  place to visit.

Filoli, also known as the Bourn-Roth Estate, consists of a 654-acre estate located in Woodside, California.  Located 25 miles south of San Francisco on the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the property is considered one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century featuring a Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens, a working orchard, and hundreds of acres of Natural Lands. In 1977 the mansion and acreage were left to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  

Fioli was built in 1917 as a private residence by San Franciscans William and Agnes Bowers Bourne, seeking a pastoral lifestyle. Although initially conceived as a humble “country place,” Filoli’s 54,000 square foot mansion was designed as a space for entertaining on a grand scale. 

As many as nine meals a day were prepared in the massive kitchen, which has a 17-foot-high coved ceiling to help keep the room cool.  The home has a large formal dining room, ballroom and even a  walk-in safe for all the silver serving pieces.

Mr. Bourn, arrived at the unusual name “Filoli” by combining the first two letters from the key words of his personal credo:

Fight for a just cause.

Love your Fellow Man.

Live a Good Life

The windows and terraces highlight sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the incredible cerulean blue sky.

Beyond the house are English Renaissance style Gardens featuring lush flower beds

The spring display features daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths contrasted with violas.  

The Wisteria vines were in bloom when we visited in April and were magnificent.

Filoli blooms all year round. The horticulturists draw on historic photos and oral histories to inspire seasonal plantings. 

Filoli has been a continuously working estate for over 100 years. The Bourns planned Filoli to be self-sustaining, with agricultural fields, livestock, and orchards. Filoli continues today to produce fruit butters, hard cider, honey, dried lavender, and culinary herbs. 

When to visit? Filoli has displays throughout the year.  Visitor capacity is capped daily, so plan your visit ahead. 

See  https://filoli.org/ for more information.  

Ann Wojtysiak is a retired director of mortgage banking. 

Leonardo Tombelli is a retired Architect and President of Grand Rapids Sister Cities International.