Filoli Mansion and Gardens - Woodside, CA

On a recent visit to San Jose, CA,  I drove 25 miles north on 280 to Woodside, CA to visit Fi;oli - a stately country house and botanical gardens.  If you are a fan of the television series Dynasty, you'll remember the house as being in the opening credits and the home of the Carrington's.

Fi - lo - li:  "Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life."  To learn more about Filoli, visit their website. 

Woodside, CA

The first glimpse of Filoli is the roof as you approach the entrance gates to the estate.

Filoli estate at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains

Filoli was also featured on America's Castles - The Garden Estates.

Main entrance to Filoli mansion

Filoli portico

California oak at Filoli mansion courtyard entrance

Back of Filoli mansion

Rear of Filoli mansion - America's Castles

Side rear view - Filoli mansion

Interior hallway - Filoli mansion

Grand staircase - Filoli mansion

Music room - Filoli mansion

Harpsichord - Filoli music room

Ballroom - Filoli mansion

Chandelier - Ballroom Filoli mansion

Pavilion - Filoli mansion and garden

Filoli garden entrance

Sunken garden - Filoli mansion

Sunken garden and pavilion - Filoli mansion

Interior garden pavilion - Filoli mansion

Sunken garden - Filoli

Filoli garden fountain

Walled garden - Filoli

Rose garden - Filoli

Rose Garden Bench - Filoli

Knot garden - Filoli

Knot garden - Filoli

Walled garden - Filoli

Garden bench planted with succulents for sale in gift shop.

Lawn and pool - Filoli mansion and gardens

Pulgas Water Temple - Woodside, CA

Located immediately north of Filoli is Pulgas Water Temple - a  monument to commemorate the 1934 completion of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct.  

Pulgas Water Temple - adjacent to Filoli

Crystal Springs Reservoir north of Filoli

Crystal Springs Reservoir is 5 minutes north of Filoli mansion. 

California Mission San Antonio de Padua - Jolon, CA

On a recent trip to San Jose, CA, I decided to make a 26 mile detour off the 101 freeway to visit Mission San Antonio de Padua.  After leaving the freeway just north of  Mission San Miguel, the drive was lovely - rolling hills and California oak trees. 

After making my way off Jolon Road to Mission Road, I entered the military base of Fort Hunter Liggett where William Randolph Hearst's hacienda is located.  Another welcoming surprise!

Hearst's  Milpitas Ranchhouse Hacienda

After entering the military base, the hacienda and mission are a further 6 miles.  Enjoy some of the photos I took of the mission and it's grounds.

California Mission San Antonio de Padua

Side view of Mission San Antonio de Padua

Blooming cactus at Mission San Antonio de Padua

Loggia - Mission San Antonio de Padua

View from front of Mission San Antonio de Padua. Statue of Padre Serra.

Olive tree planted in 1836 - Mission San Antonio de Padua

"Ship figure heads brought to the mission by sailors as thanks offering to St. Anthony"

Entering courtyard of Mission San Antonio Padua

Covered interior courtyard - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Covered walkway interior courtyard - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Courtyard garden and fountain - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Courtyard rose garden and fountain - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Interior of Mission San Antonio de Padua looking toward altar.

Altar - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Pulpit with exterior entrance - small electronic organ - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Looking toward back with balcony and front doors - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Painting and decorative wall painting on mission walls.

Detail of side chapel - Mission San Antonio de Padua

Side chapel pump organ - Mission San Antonio de Padua

To learn more about Mission San Antonio de Padua, visit their website.