Filoli Historic House & Garden: Location and How to Get There

Filoli Historic House & Garden is conveniently located approximately 30 minutes south of San Francisco, nestled on a slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visitors have several transportation options to reach this scenic destination.

Driving is the most direct way to reach Filoli, with the estate conveniently located just off Highway 280. Take the Edgewood Road exit and follow the signs toward Cañada Road; the main entrance will be on your right. On-site parking is ample and free for all ticket holders, including designated spots for carpools and electric vehicles. To avoid the weekend traffic typical of the Peninsula, we recommend aiming for a mid-week visit or arriving right at opening to secure a prime spot near the Visitor Center.

Public transit enthusiasts can utilize the SamTrans bus network to get within reach of the estate. Bus lines 295 and 260 serve the nearby Redwood City and San Carlos areas. However, as the bus stops are located a significant distance from the actual estate entrance on Cañada Road, most visitors choose to take a short rideshare from the nearest major stop to ensure they arrive safely and comfortably at the Visitor Center.

While there is no direct "L" or Metro stop at the estate gates, you can easily combine rail and rideshare for a stress-free trip. Take the Caltrain to either the Redwood City or San Carlos stations. From there, a 15-minute Uber or Lyft ride will bring you straight to the Filoli entrance. This is a popular option for the 18–50 demographic traveling from San Francisco or Palo Alto who prefer to skip the driving and enjoy the scenic views along the way.

For those traveling from further North or South, Caltrain is your primary gateway. On weekdays and weekends, trains run frequently between San Francisco and San Jose. Disembarking at the Redwood City station provides the shortest total travel time when paired with a quick taxi or rideshare. This allows you to relax on the train and save your energy for the miles of hiking trails and garden walks awaiting you at the estate.

Filoli is a favorite destination for the Bay Area’s cycling community, thanks to its location along the beautiful and relatively flat Cañada Road. On Sundays, a portion of Cañada Road is often closed to motorized vehicles for "Bicycle Sunday," making it an idyllic time to ride to the estate. Bike racks are available near the Visitor Center, but please remember to bring your own lock and stay mindful of the shared roadway during the rest of the week.

While the estate itself features over seven miles of breathtaking trails, walking to Filoli from neighboring towns is generally not recommended due to the rural, high-speed nature of Cañada Road. Instead, we suggest arriving by car or transit and then dedicating your steps to the Estate Trail or the formal English Renaissance gardens. Walking within the grounds offers the best vantage points of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the historic architecture that walking on the external roads simply cannot provide.