Beautiful Spring at the Stunning Filoli Estate in Woodside, CA

You too can enjoy this magnificent and sprawling estate with only a 30-minutes drive south from the City by the Bay. Splendidly decorated by the lush gardens reflecting  the beauty of blooming spring of its magnificent trees with cascading demure and delicate flowers in every imaginable color, courtesy of Jim  Salyards, Filoli’s Associate Director of Horticulture Initiatives, is a perfect destination for your memorable journey with family and friends. (Sorry, but your favorite and friendly pets are not invited).

This Georgian-style country estate takes you back in time. For the first time Filoli opened its doors to guests in 1975. The historic estate in Woodside, California is a perfectly glamorous place to celebrate the season’s festivities including  special holiday teas, visits and photos with Santa, strolls among the  lit-up  Sunken Garden, holiday-themed classes, unforgettable weddings or social events and shopping galore in the exquisitely-decorated locations throughout the property and the garden wine bar.

The picturesque and awe-striking  grand Filoli estate, designed by Willis Polk in 1915 for William Bowers Bourn, has served as the magical background setting for more than 20 films and television shows, including The Joy Luck Club, The Game, The Wedding Planner and Heaven Can Wait. It served as the palatial home to the oil-wealthy fictional Carrington family’s juicy saga on “Dynasty,” the iconic nighttime blockbuster serial soap opera.  For those who missed the series, a visit to the Carrington’s estate circa 1981 via the DVD box set would give an opportunity to glimpse at the famous fight of Linda Evans and Joan Collins,  the lead stars on this eight-year mega hit run on ABC TV, in the estate’s mesmerizing swimming pool. Filoli’s multimillion-dollar mansion’s famous front courtyard, the grand staircase, and portico which were featured  in the opening sequence for each “Dynasty” episode are usually decorated for the holidays by a thousand of dazzling ornaments and sparkling lights, and on my recent visit with my friend Eliana and her Mom Pepitta, on a visit from Peru, with hundreds of gorgeous tulips. With all the magic and glamor of every season, you too can be on the imaginary set of the rich and famous and partake in the festivities that coincide with Filoli’s history.

And as my motto goes: “Don’t wait to celebrate!”    Filoli is recognized as one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century. Located 30 miles south of San Francisco, the 654-acre property includes a 36,000 square-foot residence furnished with an extensive collection of 17th and 18th century English antiques and 16 acres of English Renaissance gardens that showcase an exquisite horticultural collection.

Established as a private residence in 1917 and opened to the public in 1976 to promote cultural and horticultural endeavors, Filoli is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For detailed information about  Filoli visit www.filoli.org.

Photos courtesy of Lina Broydo, Eliana Cespedes, Filoli

By Lina Broydo