Discovering a Secret Garden

UPDATE!
Click here for a Filoli deal from Groupon!
General admission starts at $19.99 for two adults (regularly $40)!

This week, my sister invited me to come with her to a botanical art exhibition in Woodside.  As an art-lover and museum-enthusiast, I am always open to visiting new galleries.  She gave me the website link to the venue and once I saw online photos of the place, I could not refuse her offer.  In all the years I have live in the SF Bay Area, yesterday was my first time visiting Filoli Mansion and Gardens.

One of the hors d'oeuvres: strawberry macarons!

Filoli was originally the home of prominent San Franciscans, Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn.  Construction of this beautiful estate took two years and was completed in 1917 under the design direction of artist, critic, and landscaper, Bruce Porter.  Shortly after the death of the Bourns in 1936, Mr. and Mrs. William P. Roth purchased the property in 1937.  Mrs. Roth eventually donated partial of the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, allowing the public to enjoy and be inspired by the house and its 16-acre formal English Renaissance garden.

Today, Filoli is a 654-acre California State Historic Landmark with year-round educational classes, events, and exhibits.

The artist reception was held in the Visitor and Education Center.  64 framed artworks of primarily colored pencil or watercolor medium were hung along the walls and hallways of the room.  I was not sure whether or not photographing the artworks were allowed.  My two favorites were the "Phalaenopsis" by Jo-Anne Osberg of San Francisco, and the "Magnolia × Soulangeana" by Catherine M. Watters of Orinda - both were NFS or not for sale (of course the ones I liked were unavailable for purchase!).

Afterwards, we ventured into to the garden walk...

One of the entrances to the garden welcomed by red camellia trees

A single light pink camellia in a wall niche in honor of Filoli's past caretaker

Irises and poppies carefully grown in plant beds

Pink tree peony

Purple tree peony

Gradient-colored tree peony.  What are my favorite flowers?  Peonies!

One of the terraces in the garden

This is what I imagine entrance to The Secret Garden would resemble

Dogwood flowers

Dogwood tree

Entering into another garden area

Pink camellia tree

Such a nice escape from the city - so serene

Foxgloves

So pretty, but poisonous if ingested

The Garage's clock tower, originally housing carriages and vehicles

Water lilies or lotuses?  They are water lilies!

More camellias surrounding the greenhouse / sunroom

Feels as though you are in Europe.  Can you just imagine...
Sitting here for hours drawing, painting, or simply admiring
the garden's beautiful blooms?

"This chair is original and irreplaceable.  Please do not sit on it.  Thank you."

Since this event started at 5:00 pm, both The Café and Gift Shop were closed.  I definitely plan to come again to visit what I had missed this time around, including a tour of 36,000 square feet Georgian house.  Filoli offers afternoon tea (new starting this year) on select Wednesdays at 1:00 pm, but reservations appear to be in high demand as seating sells out extremely quick.  All of April were sold out!  Crossing my fingers, I am anticipating for May.  I presume the rest of the peony and rose bushes will be in full bloom by then.

The Gift Shop closes at 4:00 pm

General Admission for Non-Members  |  February 11 through May 31, 2014
$20 - Adults
$17 - Seniors ages 65 and older
$10 - Students ages 5 to 17 or with valid student ID
Free - Children ages 4 and younger
$10 - K-12 educators from SF, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, or Contra Costa counties
$10 - Members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

General Admission for Non-Members  |  June 1 through October 26, 2014
$18 - Adults
$15 - Seniors ages 65 and older
$8 - Students ages 5 to 17 or with valid student ID
Free - Children ages 4 and younger
$8 - K-12 educators from SF, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, or Contra Costa counties
$8 - Members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

General admission is free all year for Filoli members.

Filoli

“Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.”

~ William Bowers Bourn