Bucket List: Filoli

The 1980s were a time of much creativity as far as TV series were concerned, and a great number focused on people who were wealthy or had come upon money unexpectedly.  Such productions showcased the lavish houses and estates in the Southern California area, one of which was Filoli.

Prominent San Franciscans Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn derived their wealth from gold mining ventures.  They chose architect Willis Polk to design them an estate in Woodside, California, nestled on the slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Construction of the house lasted two years, from 1915 to 1917, although the layout of the extensive 16-acre gardens wasn't completed until 1929.

The name of the estate is an acronym formed by combining the first two letters from the key words of William Bourn's credo: "Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life."  Today the house and gardens are owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and have been recognized as a California Historical Landmark.  It has served as the set for many films and is most famously known as the mansion seen from the air in the opening credits of the 1981 series Dynasty.

Official web site www.filoli.org