Attractions

Orchard House - Home of Little Women

How would you like to step inside the setting of your favorite book and walk around in it for a while? See where the characters that you have come to know so well lived and breathed. Or get a look at the view the author had while creating those very same characters that you hold near and dear. If you stop for a visit at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House you can do all of that and more.

Read More »

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

Before I toured the Filoli Gardens last week, I stepped through the main house, a beautiful example of an early California country estate. A historic site of the National Historic Trust for Historic Preservation, the Filoli Estate is now open to the public.

Built in 1915, the Filoli Estate was designed by renowned San Francisco architect Mr. Willis Polk for close friends Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn. Mr. Bourn chose the name Filoli by combining the first 2 letters of his personal credo: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” In 1935, the estate was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. William P. Roth, who created and established Filoli gardens as a showpiece with worldwide recognition.

As you approach the estate (I don’t think I can call it a house!), the front door provides an imposing welcome, softened with the addition of seasonal flowers and decorations. You enter into the foyer of the home, which has several openings to other rooms on the first floor.

I took a self-guided tour, and of course, my favorite part was the kitchen. In the main part of the kitchen, which contained a fairly modern looking double oven, I could imagine the household staff preparing the meals for the Roth family. Off the main kitchen was the butler area, which I guess would be used for serving dinner and keeping plates warm. There was also a large walk-in safe where the family silver was stored. Fancy, schmancy.

Throughout the rest of the house, details and decorations have been carefully restored to provide the visitor with samples of the grandeur of the original home. Photographs of family members, as well as personal mementos and household items lend to the story.

If you have the time, I highly recommend a tour with one of the knowledgeable volunteers. Otherwise, pick up a map in the Visitor’s Center and walk through yourself. Either way, spend some time appreciating the architecture.

Plan your visit:

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 or students. Children under 4 are free. For more details, stop by the Visitor and Education Center or visit the Filoli website.

Be sure to visit the Garden Shop for thoughtful garden gifts, and if you are hungry, the Café at Filoli offers reasonably priced snacks and meals. Picnics are not permitted at Filoli.