Filoli annual High Tea, an experience not to be missed

Designed by California architect Willis Polk, this Georgian Revival mansion surrounded by 16 acres of formal gardens and over 600 acres of woods was built for William B. Bourn II. Its reflecting pools, formal gardens, arbors and shady walks were all planned to blend harmoniously with the nearby San Andreas hills. The spectacular grounds present a hallmark of garden landscape design, breathtaking in scale and displaying the diversity of California flora

Upon arriving we saw that many waiting to join the tea were dressed in period clothing.  Something my mother and I agreed would not work out for us, but they were sure having fun with it.

Here's where you can go inside Filoli to learn more about our estate's fascinating History, including the families who founded and maintained the Filoli vision This is the gift shop at Filoli, there were some very nice things to buy and the way it is arranged was inspirational

We also went on the tour of the Filoli home.  It was breathtaking The producers of Dynasty snubbed Denver by declaring they could not find a suitable posh mansion in the Rocky Mountain city to show us the house of the wealthy Carringtons. Instead, they chose a California landmark, the Filoli Mansion in Woodside, which is operated as a museum by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The show filmed inside and outside the mansion, as well as in the formal gardens. And four rooms of the house, the front hall, library, living room, and reception room, were later re-created on the show's Hollywood set. Some additional  information about the glorious Carrington's mansion and the estate...http://www.ultimatedynasty.net/filoli.html






An array of deserts at our Afternoon Tea.

  Last we experienced the lovely tradition of tea in the relaxing and gracious ambiance of Filoli. They served delicious sandwiches, seasonal salads, scones with fresh lemon curd and pastries presented on linen tablecloths. Tea is served in their beautiful collection of china teacups, donated through the years by Filoli members and volunteers.


This popular Filoli tradition is perfect for meeting friends or small group events. Afternoon Tea takes place the fourth Wednesday of each month, February through October.* Seating is limited. Reservations are required.  In fact I tried three years in a row to get reservations and found out they were sold out  2011 is already sold out, but if you are really interest call on January 2012 and make your reservation early.  Afternoon Tea menu changes monthly and is a fixed menu that includes assorted tea sandwiches, mini-pastries and other seasonal deductibles. Filoli monthly teas are appropriate for children eight years and older.