This historical landmark is beautiful. It's hidden and almost looks like it's in a middle of a…read moreforest. The parking lot is open Monday-Friday for only 30 mins. You can easily make a quick stop here or have a quick picnic in the grass area. It's gorgeous on a clear day. It's so peaceful.

Heads-up about weekend/holiday parking when the entrance gate is locked and only pedestrians can…read moreenter: I gave this place one star because I got a parking ticket--totally my fault, but it really ruined my day. The location itself is beautiful, just like everyone says. When I arrived and saw the gate was closed, I wasn't sure where to park. I noticed others parking along the street, so I followed their lead. Big mistake. There are signs that say "No Parking on Bike Lane." Please take them seriously--even if it looks like everyone else is doing it. I learned the hard way: I got a ticket. Don't make the same mistake. Be careful and park legally!

Filoli House and Gardens is one of those rare places that feels like several experiences in one…read more You can come for a peaceful garden walk, a historic house tour, a beautiful photo day, a relaxing solo outing, wedding, or a seasonal event. The property is beautifully maintained, and every area feels thoughtfully designed: from the gardens to the walking paths and indoor spaces. The estate was originally built as a private residence in 1917 and later opened to the public in 1975 as a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. It sits on about 654 acres in Woodside, with 16 acres of formal gardens, natural lands, orchards, trails, the historic house, terraces, garden rooms. It is much bigger and more layered than a simple garden visit. Filoli changes depending on the season. During the holidays, the lights make the whole estate feel magical and festive. It is not necessarily the cheapest outing: general admission and event tickets can be on the higher side (~$50). Still, it feels more elevated than a regular park or garden, especially if you take your time and enjoy the full property. There is also a café on-site, Quail Café.

Came for Mother's Day…read more Beautiful weather with gorgeous blooms! Bring a picnic blanket to enjoy the afternoon. They have wonderful popsicle flavors at the bars and some food trucks. $49/adult now

'The Heron" is a public art installation located in the City of Redwood City, California. Located…read moreon the Port Waterfront, it is the work of David Han. Han, a Silicon Valley resident was first exposed to art at a young age. His mother was a painter of note, and his father was a engineer. he took elements of each parents 'art" and made his own unique style. He specializes in using recycled metals, and molds technology with nature in his sculptures. The Heron is a fantastic sculpture. From a distance you can clearly make out the grace and beauty of the bird on which it is based. Upon closer examination you can see the bird/sculpture as a perfect meld of nature and abstract forms. Attention to detail shows in the intricate details of the interior. Despite an intricate base, the bird appears to be in flight and he was able to convey the grace of an actual heron in flight. As noted The Heron is located in the Port of Redwood City waterfront. It is near the fishing pier and the a short path along the water. There are picnic benches next to the sculpture but there is little else here unless you are either fishing or sailing so it is more of a stop than a destination.

This is beautiful little spot on Stanford Campus. A true gem of cacti of all kinds. I've been here…read moreabout 3-4xs times now, and it's always lovely to just walk around. It's definitely a beautiful greenery backdrop for photos as I did a photoshoot for a client here a few months ago. We took a bunch of photos here, and then we walked over to the Quad for an outfit change and a change of scenery. We saw *the* Robert Downey Jr. at the Quad that day! That was awesome! :D I usually come here on a Saturday or Sunday and just park at the medical clinic, which is basically right next to this spot.

This review is long overdue from 2020; I for visited this spot in 2016 or so and loved it so I…read morebrought my husband here during the Covid shut down in 2020 and we took a nice walk, it was awesome to check it out, explore the vacations cacti and spend some time in nature. Parking can be difficult. Overall a great and well kept garden e

I live in the south Bay, but I love to travel for food and support local businesses. Community…read moreevents are always my favorite because so many people come together, people in the Bay Area are so nice and welcoming, and you get to meet staff and business owners of small businesses in the area. Everyone was super friendly, happy to talk about their food, or drinks, or Restaurant. The music and band was really good, and it was the perfect day to gather around to support local businesses. Thank you Yelp for doing this, another successful community event, and I cannot wait to visit the businesses that I stopped by and talk to.

Our 1st Yelp event together, minimum $20 Donation, lots of good Booze, Old Fashions, Espresso…read moreMartini, Margaritas, Wines, Beers & Tequilas. Great food samples from the Peninsula areas. Live Band was fun, friendly service & great weather.

This isn't just an art exhibit, it's a whole experience! The setting here is like a jungle, full of…read moreplantlife and fallen leaves, with different stone sculptures, wooden carvings, and totem pole artworks almost camouflaged among the tree trunks and branches, displayed underneath the shade, and benches situated randomly within the forest of art. In 1994, Anthropology grad student and researcher, Jim Mason, organized a project to have a group of artists, aged 27-74, coming from 6 different villages in the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, to create the beautiful sculptures at Stanford University. The landscaping and plants of the garden were organized by other entities. The artwork is based on Kwoma and Iatmul mythology and stories of creation, the center of the garden created in the likeness of "spirit homes". Two of the pieces, The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, were inspired by the Rodin sculptures on campus bearing the same names, but tell their own stories. The history and design of this sculpture garden are fascinating, and the natural environment and overall maintenance of this exhibit make it an appealing place to visit. It's even a desirable area of campus to hold school events (they had just finished such an event when I visited this past Sunday). Also, free parking is available at Stanford on the weekends.

Its a very cool outdoor installation located on the Stanford campus. T They sculptures are spread…read moreout and all have interesting descriptions of the culture and the art. This is a perfect COVID activity as its not crowded, everything is spread out and its outdoors. Mask up and keep your distance and its all good. There are at least 12 other art installations nearby as well as the Student Union and main bookstore.

Checked out this art piece on the Stanford University campus on Sunday, and it was reminiscent of…read morethe artist's Wood Line log sculpture in SF, which I had visited several months prior, the curves of the sandstone river wavy like the slither of a snake. It was built by 8 stone-wallers from Great Britain and consists of 6,500 stones, with the artist aiming to emphasize a connection to nature through the sculpture's materials, location, and design. The parking lot in front of the Anderson Museum (on Museum Way) is free on weekends and provides direct and easy access to this awesome Andy Goldsworthy exhibit.

Also known as 'The Snake", Stone River is an permamant art installation on the Stanford Campus. It…read moreis the work of Andy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy, a native of Brittan, uses natural products and strives to make a connection to the area the art is emplaced. From the artist : 0 "Movement, change, light, growth and decay are the life-blood of nature, the energies that I try to tap through my work." and "My sculpture can last for days or a few seconds - what is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay." True to his vision, Stone River was constructed using limestone from campus buildings damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The installation is massive stretching almost 320 feet and used almost 130 tons of stone. From my perspective it looks like a giant snake especially from the air. As noted Stone River is located on the Stanford Campus and is right next to the Cantor and Andersen art museums. Its a cool stop especially if you have kids as they can run amok over, around etc on it.

This is an easy-to-miss horse sculpture, made of bronze and metal with the simple appearance of…read moredriftwood pieced together into a lovely work of art. A similar art piece can be found at the Cantor Arts Center as part of a series by the artist, Deborah Butterfield, however Butternut, named after its color, is easier to access and view right in front of the Stanford Hospital, with tables and seating in the vicinity as well. Free self parking (up to 2 hours) is available in the Pasteur Visitor Garage, hidden underground. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but the sculpture is worth some attention if you're in the area.

Butternut is a public art installation location on the ground of the Stanford University medical…read moreCenter. It is the work of artist Deborah Butterfield. This is the 3th or her Horse series that can be found on the Peninsula with the other being in the Cantor, and of all places in the middle of nowhere in Mountain View. Deborah Butterfield began sculpting horses back in the 1970's. She started with sticks and clay, but soon progressed to scrape metal. She later moved on to cast bronze. She selects individual pieces of wood and then creates the bronze cast. The wood/bronze is then used to create the horses. A native of San Diego, California, her art can be seen in museums around the country. From the artist: ""The lines of the branches do not simply outline the forms of horses, they create the contours through an accumulation of simple or energetic lines that seem to build up from within. This is three-dimensional gesture drawing, and the result is both skeletal and muscular." The sculpture at first glance appears to be driftwood with all of its detail, but when you touch it and feel the cold hard metal its shocking everything even though I know what to expect. There is a stark simplicity to the sculpture as a whole from a distance, but the intricate details of the casting and the complexity the small shapes form are shockingly complex. The sculpture is about 40 feet from the sidewalk and up a slight hill. There is nothing around and I have to admit I spent a good 30 minutes enjoying both the relative quiet and the sculpture from different angles. I am always fainted by the works. Cast in bronze, they really look like driftwood. Despite being somewhat skeletonized, they appear to be alive. Up close the intricate detail reveals itself. Each angle brings a new view and you can find yourself gazing at it for a long time. Butternut as noted is close to the new Stanford Hospital. In and of itself it is not a destination, however, given its proximity to the Cantor, and numerous other art installations, it is best part of a multi stop trip.

3.5 stars. Cute…read morelittle garden and art/handicrafts collective to walk around and kill some time. Nice if you're in the area and need to kill some time. I bought some jewelry and soap. I'd probably go back to try the cafe, but I wouldn't go out of my way for the garden again unless I was in the area showing tourists around.

A serene place in the heart of Menlo Park which benefits Lucille Packard Children's…read moreHospital...grounds and gardens which hosts a variety of artisan cottages selling, teaching and creating. A must visit oasis to stroll, enjoy and support. A charming environment!