Long summer days and nights are the hallmark of living in the Bay Area. The Filoli Estate in Woodside is now capitalizing on that fact, and this season, the mansion and gardens are open 5-8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays until September 19. Members pay an extra $10 per person. Non-members pay $38 for adults and $28 for kids 5-17.
Here’s what you’ll experience: food trucks, beverage stands, and a popsicle cart selling Filoli’s own variety of juice pops at $6.50 each. However, you can buy a sandwich or corn on the cob at one of the nearby stands. There’s always a couple of food trucks where cuisines vary. When we went, we had a choice between Mexican fare and chicken and waffles. The Quail Café is open until 7:30 p.m. with a fine array of sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts. If offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Filoli makes available picnic tables in front of the estate, so you can enjoy your own grub in front before walking in. But you cannot bring your own alcohol, sorry. No personal food or drinks are allowed after you check into the estate at the entry kiosk and get your wristband.
This is a place to completely let go of your stresses. Adirondack chairs in groups are spread throughout the meadow, and you can sip wine as you watch the wisps of grasses glow upon twilight. But do bring a picnic blanket for the lawn. Stick around for the live music by the swimming pool. Bring a journal or sketch pad to doodle.
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hose captivated by history and education can wander through the lower level of the 54,000-square foot mansion and learn more about the original families as well as the home’s architecture. Each week, curators discuss a different topic and display old relics such as fashions or tableware settings and china from the Bourne collection. The cool thing for kids is the game that earns guests a sticker when they find the five Toto dog statues in the mansion.
In the gardens, the horticultural staff is available to answer garden questions of every ilk. Certain nights the greenhouses are open for view. The Clock Tower Shop and Nursery is also open late for guests to purchase special plants and gifts.
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n addition to the current one-mile Estate Trail, a new hiking route has been established, and July 10 through August 15, naturalists will take guests on a two-mile sunset hike every Wednesday and Thursday. Along one of the paths you’ll find the new Lamchin Interpretive Center. This repurposed building is now an education center that explains the lives of the Lamchin natives who were the first known inhabitants of the land. The Lamchins were an independent tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone people.
If you are looking for new laid-back activities to indulge in during the summer evenings, Filoli is inviting young and old to pull up an Adirondack chair, listen to some tunes, and savor the atmosphere.
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When You Go:
Check out www.filoli.org for details and tickets.