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Peninsula · San Francisco

Filoli Gardens

Garden · Estate · Architecture · Peninsula

A 654-acre estate in Woodside, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco. Formal walled gardens, a Georgian-revival house, and oak-shaded woodland paths.

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You may see a few photos from nearby locations here. Many shoots span multiple spots in the same session.

What it costs
$950 – $1,950
Typical range for a session at Filoli Gardens

Where you land comes down to the session you choose. A shorter weekday session sits at the low end; a weekend session with more time and more edited photos sits at the top. There's no deposit, and you pay after the shoot, not before.

Ready when you are

Filoli Gardens

Pick what you're planning and we'll pull up the right pricing. Not sure yet? Start with a free 10-minute call.

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From the photographer
Chris Schmauch
by Chris Schmauch, owner of GoodEye Photography

A 654-acre estate in Woodside, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco.

A 654-acre estate in Woodside, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco. Formal walled gardens, a Georgian-revival house, and oak-shaded woodland paths. Advance photography permits required — Filoli's reservations system gates session access.

The Full Guide

Filoli Gardens

The Pitch

A 654-acre estate in Woodside, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco. Formal walled gardens, a Georgian-revival house, and oak-shaded woodland paths. Advance photography permits required — Filoli's reservations system gates session access.

What to expect

The lay of the land

Footwear
Anything works. Paved walks and well-tended paths throughout. Heels are no problem on grass-adjacent paths.
Best Time of Day
Late afternoon. Soft warm light through tree canopies and across lawns. Avoid midday in summer when the overhead sun flattens color and creates harsh shadows under hats and brims.
Best Season
Spring for peak bloom (April–May), fall for warm light and late color. Summer can be hot mid-afternoon; we'll schedule around it.
Weather
Most gardens shelter well — tree cover, walls, structures. Light rain often enhances the look. Bright overcast is ideal.
Privacy
Permit or admission-based; often near-exclusive use during your slot. Few or no other groups when scheduled mid-week.
Drive times

Getting here

Downtown SF8 min
Presidio15 min
Oakland25 min
Sausalito20 min
San Jose50 min
Approximate, off-peak driving.
Worth knowing

A few things about Filoli Gardens

  • Parking is on-property and close to the photo locations.

  • Dogs typically not permitted — confirm before bringing.

  • Sheltered enough that most-weather sessions work; check the venue's bad-weather policy on confirmation.

  • Photography permit required — book through the venue. Chris handles this for clients.