Two miles south of Crystal Springs Reservoir sits a stately manse that hearkens back to the early 20th century—Filoli. Neither a Latin word nor a mystic incantation to reveal the true form of the home's owner, the name of this estate has a simpler origin in the credo of the original inhabitant, William Bowers Bourn: "Fight for a just cause; love your fellow man; live a good life."

The jewel in the crown that is Filoli is surely the house, a sprawling country estate that manages the gap between classic and contemporary by melding familiar styles into something new. Tuscan order-style columns greet visitors at the portico, reflecting the rustic nature of the home's surroundings. The grand ballroom pays a nod to the Palace at Versailles with its Herculean mantle and massive crystal chandeliers. French notes continue into the dining room in Louis XIV style sconces, but the 1917 Italian silk curtains scream art moderne elegance. As visitors explore these halls, they will encounter centuries-old English and Irish antiques, richly textured paintings from the Dutch masters.