FILOLI GARDENS AND ESTATE: WATCH THE VIDEO

It’s no wonder that the Filoli Gardens has attracted movie and television productions over the years, from “Dynasty” to “George of the Jungle.” It’s elegant and imposing, made hospitable these days by a friendly staff with stories to tell and lessons to teach about history and horticulture. Filoli Gardens, in every season, is always worth visiting. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out the nearby Pulgas Water Temple and Crystal Springs Reservoir, all legacies of William Bowers Bourn, the forceful entrepreneur who built Filoli in the nineteenth century. Bourn made his money in mining and water. In largely arid California, great wealth has always been generated by the storage and delivery of liquid gold. As the saying goes out here, water flows uphill to money, and if you want to see what aquatic dollars could buy a century and more ago, visit Filoli. Then get a copy of the authoritative history of water in the American West, Cadillac Desert, written by the late Marc Reisner. Marc was a wonderful storyteller and his book is a classic. You’ll be informed and entertained in great and equal measure.