Villa Lauriston
Portola Valley, California
Nestled
on
approximately
the
protected
deep
28.4
a mong
acres
soaring
that
Mid-Peninsula
are
Open
VillaLauriston
is
redwoods,
surrounded
Space
both
by
District,
entirely
secluded and convenient to the best services in the San
Francisco Bay Area. The estate is reached by means of a
two-and-a-half mile private drive that lies just inside the
boundaries of the small town of Portola Valley, California.
approach
The Villa is approached from Alpine Road by way
of a private road. After passing through the first
gates, one encounters the stone bridge spanning
Corte Madera Creek. From the bridge to the vil-
la is a trip of 2. 3 miles and a climb of 700 feet to
an altitude of 1,350 feet above San Francisco Bay.
The drive winds through meadows and forests of
redwood, pine, oak, buckeye, and madrone. At the
end of the private
in
its
excess
of
one
spectacular
r oad,
acre,
the
comes
dolphin
e xpansive
into
fountain
l awn,
view
with
at
the
center. Two massive river gods watch over the
lawn from reclining positions under some of the Villa’s
spectacular cedars. Looping past this lawn
area and passing the reflecting pool, one
arrives at a carved stone wellhead at the
foot of the granite steps leading to Villa
Lauriston. On either side of the entry are mounted large
bronze lanterns
that were cast by Domain in Paris.
One of the nation’s finest private residences, the hand-crafted
Villa Lauriston
is incomparable and unique. Commis-
sioned in the 1920’s, this 20 room Florentine Villa features the finest
historic materials and artifacts from San Francisco mansions and Eu-
ropean palaces and churches. This architectural jewel is set in a pri-
vate 28.4 acre park-like parcel, surrounded by 1,000 acres dedicated as
open space lands in perpetuity. Villa Lauriston is located in the heart
of Silicon Valley, and the region’s major airports, the San Francisco
International airport and San Jose International airport are only
35 minutes away. Modern conveniences have been blended with the
romantic finishes and furnishings from the past to create an envi-
ronment that is elegant enough for entertaining dignitaries, yet
comfortable and conducive to gatherings of family and friends.
Positioned at an elevation of 1,350 feet, and graced with stunning eastward views, the Villa overlooks the San Francisco Bay, Stanford University, and Silicon Valley, one of the most innovative and powerful business and research communities in the world.
Welcome
The Lauriston estate lies within the
boundaries of the town of Portola
Valley. Portola Valley’s school district
boasts two award-winning public schools. In addition,
some of the nation’s premier private schools are only min-
utes’ drive away, in nearby Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Por-
tola Valley itself. Stanford University and its nationally
recognized research hospital lie close by, as do San Jose
State University, Santa Clara University (www.scu.edu) and
numerous other colleges, universities and research cen-
ters. The campuses of the University of California at Berke-
ley and the University of California at Santa Cruz, among
others, are within easy driving distance from the Villa
Photos by: Norio Sugano, Chris Schmauch, Mark Pinkerton
I
Design by: Joelle Cruz