Updated in September 2026, this Filoli guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Filoli is a historic house and garden estate in Woodside, California, about 30 miles south of San Francisco. Filoli ran a “kids go free” promotion from 30 May through the end of August 2026, which some guides still describe as current. This guide was updated in September 2026, once standard child pricing had resumed. You can book in advance through Viator before your visit.
Quick facts about Filoli
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA 94062 |
| Opening hours | 10am–5pm daily |
| Adult admission (18–64) | $45.00 |
| Senior admission (65+) | $40.00 |
| Youth admission (13–17) | $35.00 |
| Child admission (5–12) | $25.00 |
| Infant admission (0–4) | Free |
| Parking | Free, on site |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
Why book Filoli tickets?
- 🏛️ A 654-acre estate: Explore a 1917 Georgian Revival mansion, 16 acres of formal gardens and miles of redwood trails, all in one visit.
- 🎟️ Free for under-5s: The youngest visitors always go free.
- 🌿 Seasonal blooms year-round: From spring tulips to autumn colour and winter lights, the garden changes with every visit.
- 📜 A National Trust estate: Donated by Lurline Roth in 1975, Filoli is now cared for as a National Trust for Historic Preservation site.
- 💰 Included daily talks: Guided talks on horticulture, history and architecture run at no extra cost with every ticket.
Opening hours at Filoli
Filoli opens daily from 10am to 5pm. The Historic House itself is open to visitors from 11am to 4pm, and the Estate Trail closes slightly earlier, at 4:30pm. Hours shorten from mid-November for Holidays at Filoli, typically running 10am to 3:30pm through early January.
Ticket prices for Filoli
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | $45.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $40.00 |
| Youth (13–17) | $35.00 |
| Child (5–12) | $25.00 |
| Infant (0–4) | Free |
General admission covers the House, Garden, Clock Tower Shop, Estate Trail and daily talks. Prices are current as of September 2026 and may change without notice, particularly around seasonal events such as Nightfall and Holidays at Filoli, which are ticketed separately. You can book through Viator to secure your preferred date.
5 San Francisco experiences worth booking
- 🌉 Combine the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Alcatraz on a packed day tour.
- 🌲 Take a day trip to the Giant Sequoias and the highlights of Yosemite National Park.
- 🌃 See the city lights at night on a San Francisco Bay cruise.
- 🍷 Go wine-tasting in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys on a full day wine tour.
- ✌️ Hit the hippie hotspots in a colourful VW bus on the San Francisco Love Tour.
How to get to Filoli
By car, Filoli is just off Cañada Road in Woodside, about 30 miles south of San Francisco and a similar distance from San Jose.
There’s no direct public transit route, so most visitors arrive by car.
Parking at Filoli
Free parking is available on site.
How long to spend at Filoli
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the House, Garden and a short stretch of trail. Allow longer if you plan to walk further into the redwoods or attend a guided talk.
Accessibility at Filoli
The Garden and ground-floor rooms of the House are accessible to wheelchair and mobility-device users, though the House’s entrance ramps aren’t at the main door. Assistance dogs are welcome; other pets aren’t permitted.
What to see at Filoli
The House. Built in 1917 to a Georgian Revival design by Willis Polk, the mansion holds English and European antiques, a wood-panelled library and a ballroom decorated with 1925 murals by Ernest Peixotto.
The Garden. Sixteen acres of formal, English Renaissance-influenced garden, designed by Bruce Porter and Isabella Worn, unfold as a series of distinct garden rooms.
Redwoods & Trails. Beyond the Garden, the wider 654-acre estate opens onto hiking trails, historic orchards and towering redwoods.
Rose Wonders. A giant troll sculpture by Danish artist Thomas Dambo is nestled among the trees in Filoli’s Natural Lands.
Seasonal events. Nightfall brings a Halloween transformation each autumn, while Holidays at Filoli lights up the House and gardens each winter.
Practical tips for visiting Filoli
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check the Estate Trail’s earlier closing time | It shuts at 4:30pm, half an hour before the rest of the grounds. |
| Catch a daily talk | Free guided talks on horticulture, history or architecture run at set times each day. |
| Call the bloom hotline | Dial the bloom update line before you visit to check what’s currently flowering. |
| Book separately for evening events | Nightfall and Holidays at Filoli evenings need their own tickets, on top of general admission. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended, especially at weekends, and you can book through Viator. |
Frequently asked questions about Filoli
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the “kids go free” offer still running? | No, it ran from 30 May through the end of August 2026. Standard child pricing now applies. |
| What are the current opening hours? | 10am to 5pm daily, with the House open from 11am to 4pm. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free parking is available on site. |
| Is Filoli wheelchair accessible? | The Garden and ground floor of the House are accessible, though the entrance ramps aren’t at the main door. |
| Should I book in advance? | Yes, particularly at weekends and during seasonal events. You can book in advance through Viator. |
Things to do near Filoli
Half Moon Bay offers a dramatic Pacific coastline and beaches, about a 25-minute drive over the hills.
Stanford University and its Cantor Arts Center make for an easy detour, about 20 minutes’ drive away.
Woodside village has a handful of cafés and shops just down the road from the estate.
Huddart Park offers redwood hiking trails a short drive from Filoli.
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve has ridgeline trails with sweeping Bay Area views, a short drive away.
Alternative attractions to Filoli
Hakone Estate and Gardens, in Saratoga, is a Japanese-style garden estate dating to 1918, about 45 minutes’ drive away.
Villa Montalvo, also in Saratoga, pairs a historic Mediterranean-style villa with gardens and an arts centre, about 45 minutes’ drive away.
Kohl Mansion, in Burlingame, is an English Tudor-style estate that now hosts concerts and tours, about 20 minutes’ drive away.
The Gamble Garden, in Palo Alto, is a smaller historic garden estate open free to the public, about 20 minutes’ drive away.
The Winchester Mystery House, in San Jose, is an eccentric Victorian mansion famous for its maze of staircases and doors, about 40 minutes’ drive away.
More San Francisco Bay area travel
- How to get the best out of the Asian Art Museum, Legion of Honor Museum and de Young Museum in San Francisco.
- Golden Gate Park attraction guides: The San Francisco Botanical Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers.
- Practical guide to visiting the American Bookbinders Museum in San Francisco.
- Entry fees, opening hours and visitor tips for Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art visitor guide: With ticket prices, hours and advice.
