Filoli Estate is a historic house, garden and natural-land area in Woodside, California, where you can visit a Georgian Revival home, explore formal gardens and walk trails among redwoods. From San Carlos, it makes a practical outing: the drive from a San Carlos Inn stay takes about 18 minutes.
- Location: 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, California 94062
- Estate: 654 acres, including a 16-acre formal garden
- Admission: includes the House, Garden, redwoods, trails, talks and activities
- Typical visit: about two hours
What to see at Filoli
Filoli combines a historic house, a formal garden and natural landscapes, so you can plan time for both the designed grounds and the trails. The Georgian Revival house covers more than 54,000 square feet and contains 56 rooms.
The self-guided house visit covers the first floor, including the Ballroom and Staff Wing. Outside, the 16-acre garden includes the Sunken Garden, Walled Garden and an orchard, with plantings that change with the seasons.
Beyond the formal garden, the Natural Lands encompass trails and six distinct ecosystems, including oak-madrone forest and redwood circles. Two hiking loops include the California Trail and the longer Spring Creek Trail, which passes through a redwood canyon. For another nearby walk, the trails at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve offer a different landscape.
Filoli Estate history and gardens
Filoli began as a private country estate built by William and Agnes Bourn from 1915 to 1917, and it has welcomed the public since 1975. The formal garden gives the estate its distinctive structure, with separate garden areas and an orchard set within the larger landscape.
You can pair a walk through the garden with the house visit, then continue into the Natural Lands for trails and a different view of the estate’s redwoods and ecosystems.
Tickets, hours and timed entry at Filoli
General admission includes the House, Garden, redwoods and trails, as well as daily talks and activities. Filoli recommends booking tickets in advance, including for members, because weekend, holiday and busy-season dates may sell out.
Tickets are listed from $39, with the exact price depending on the selected date or admission option. Check in during your selected one-hour entry window. Plan for about 90 minutes to two hours for a visit.
Hours and last-entry times can vary by date and admission option. Filoli is open rain or shine and does not offer weather-related refunds, so check the official site before you go.
How do you get from San Carlos to Filoli?
Filoli is in Woodside, not San Carlos. The usual fastest driving route uses the Edgewood Road exit from I-280, followed by Cañada Road.
From the south, take I-280 North and exit at Edgewood Road. Turn left onto Edgewood Road, then right onto Cañada Road and continue about 1.25 miles to the entrance. From the north, take I-280 South, exit at Edgewood Road, turn right onto Edgewood Road, then right onto Cañada Road and continue about 1.25 miles.
Parking is free and included with admission. On high-traffic days, you may be directed to overflow lots. Rideshare and taxi pickup and drop-off are at the main lot. For dining and other local stops, the San Carlos neighborhood guide covers the area around town.
FAQs
What can you see at Filoli?
You can visit the first floor of the historic house, walk through the formal garden, and explore the redwoods and trails in the Natural Lands.
What does Filoli admission include?
General admission includes access to the House, Garden, redwoods and trails, plus daily talks and activities.
Can you visit Filoli in the rain?
Yes. Filoli is open rain or shine, but it does not offer weather-related refunds.
Are pets allowed at Filoli?
Pets and emotional-support animals are not permitted. ADA service animals are welcome.