on location: west ❖
marty sarbey de souto, ctc
C
alifornia may be known for lots of things—Hollywood
women’s group looking for an entire trip designed around this
and the movies, the Gold Rush, Golden Gate Bridge,
focus. Here are a few of the many possibilities:
beaches and breathtaking Pacific views, Silicon Valley, the in-
FILOLI, Woodside. If you remember the ‘80s, you may re-
tellectual centers of Stanford and Berkeley, and much more.
member this house as the Carrington Mansion in the popular
But perhaps it is not as well known as it should be for its wealth
TV series Dynasty. Home for nearly 20 years to William Bowers
of historic homes and gardens. These sites reflect the rich his-
Bourn II, owner of one of California’s richest gold mines, the es-
tory of the state and unique tastes of former owners, whether
tate got its name by combining the first two letters from his credo:
they were community leaders, gold prospectors or an occa-
“Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.”
sional bordello madam.
Located about 25 miles south of San Francisco, it’s set in 16
Let’s take a look at a handful of the many possible visits that
acres of formal gardens surrounded by a 654-acre estate. The
could be included in the next itinerary you develop to Califor-
gardens were laid out in 1917-1922 by horticulturist Isabella
nia. It might be a garden here or an unusual home there, sprin-
Worn, who designed the plantings and fixed the original color
kled in a standard tour. Or, it could be a specialty tour featuring
scheme, supervising the garden’s maintenance for 35 years.
a number of homes and gardens for your local garden club or
Historic Homes
&
Following the death of the Bourns in 1936, it was bought by Matson Navigation heir Lurline Matson Roth. Her contribution was the impressive collection of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas as well as the screened-in teahouse and serene swimming pool.
Gardens of california
Architectural gems spotlight the Golden State’s glorious past
Formal gardens grace Filoli, south of San Francisco. Inset photo: Hearst Castle at San Simeon.
on location: west ❖
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Check out the attractions in Orange County, Calif. Log on to http://leisuregrouptravel.com?p=26672.
A visit might be paired with other sites south of San Fran-
Inspired by the writings of John Ruskin, the Arts and
cisco such as Stanford University in Palo Alto or even further
Crafts movement expressed a reaction to the mechanization
south to the Carmel/Monterey area. (filoli.org)
of the Industrial Revolution with its speedy assembly line
MARSTON HOUSE MUSEUM AND GARDENS, San Diego.
construction. It idealized the craftsman taking pride in his
This house is known as one of California’s best examples of
personal handiwork and often featured rooms and furniture
the Arts and Crafts movement, built in 1905 for local civic lead-
deliberately rustic, unfinished and referred to as “cottagey.”
ers George and Anne Marston. The movement denoted a style
Surface texture was admired in ordinary materials such as
of architecture, interior design and decorative arts prevalent in
stone and tiles. The house is surrounded by five acres of
the period 1910-1925.
rolling lawns, manicured formal gardens and rustic canyon gardens. (marstonhouse.org) McELROY OCTAGON HOUSE, San Francisco. A unique eight-sided, cupolatopped house dating back to 1861, it’s one of 68 octagon houses built in the United States before the Civil War and included on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Those who chose to build a house in this shape believed that living in an octagonal home resulted in a longer, healthier life. Now a museum under the auspices of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, it contains a variety of documents from Colonial and early American history, including one signed by 54 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. It also showcases decorative arts from the Colonial and Federal periods. (Phone: 415441-7512) KIMBERLY CREST HOUSE AND GARDENS, Redlands. Built in 1897, this is a three-story French chateau-style Victorian mansion. John Kimberly, co-founder of Kimberly-Clark paper company, purchased the home to escape Wisconsin winters. The surrounding gardens were created in 1909, complete with statuary and koi ponds, are examples of the Italian style, so popular at the turn of the 20th century. The home has a French Revival parlor with gilt furniture and silk damask wall coverings. Lily ponds feature radiant koi as well as vivid red, pink and yellow lilies. Kimberly’s daughter challenged the city to raise the funds to purchase 39 acres surrounding the property and turned it into a botanical park, which she bequeathed as today’s Prospect Park. (kimberlycrest.org)
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LeisureGroupTravel.com
HEARST CASTLE, San Simeon. If the phrase “A man’s
supply. The two-story wood frame home, built in historic
home is his castle” ever had meaning, Hearst Castle must be the
Carpenter Gothic Victorian style, features twin porches,
ultimate example in the United States. And 36 million visitors
dormer windows, a marble fireplace and European crystal
since it first opened to the public in 1958 will attest to its grandeur
chandeliers.
and unique contribution to America’s house and garden scene.
A visit may be combined into an interesting day with a tast-
Located high on a hill overlooking the Pacific midway be-
ing at one or more of Sonoma’s well-known wineries and time
tween San Francisco and Los Angeles, it was the brainchild of
to browse the attractive shops surrounding the downtown
publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst and the work of
plaza. Also include a visit to the Mission San Francisco Solano
prolific Berkeley architect Julia Morgan.
de Sonoma, the last and most northern of the 21 Franciscan
The Hearst Castle project developed over years as Hearst’s
missions, located on the northeast corner of the plaza. A sec-
palace where he and his mistress, Marion Davies, entertained
ond day could be added to include Jack London country, nearby
vacationing guests such as Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill
Napa with its tony restaurants and perhaps adjoining Yountville
and a young John F. Kennedy. The hillside complex includes 41
and St. Helena for elegant shopping. (parks.ca.gov/?page_id
fireplaces, 25 grand guestrooms, 25 upstairs suites, 25 cottages
=22773) LGT
and kitchens, a 4,000-book library and entire rooms of artwork from European castles. But the centers of attraction are the two stunning swimming pools: the outdoor Neptune pool and indoor tiled Roman pool decorated with eight statues of Roman gods. First-time visitors are well advised to take the “Grand Rooms Museum Tour” as it has the least stairs to climb up and down (106). There are three other tours including an unusual evening tour offered at times. Tour planners should be sure to check with management regarding walking and steps. (hearstcastle.org) LACHRYMA MONTIS, Sonoma State Historic Park. This was the home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, commander of California Travel and Tourism Commission/Blaise
the northern Mexico frontier, founder of the Pueblo of Sonoma and a member of the first Constitutional Convention of California. Built in 1850-51, it was known as Chiucuyem (Crying Mountain) by the local Indians, which Vallejo renamed to the rough Latin equivalent “Tears of the Mountain.” Its name was derived from the springs that now are the source of Sonoma’s water LeisureGroupTravel.com
April 2012 57
Sande Lollis
Rooms like the library at Hearst Castle and kitchen of the Marston House in San Diego offer intimate peeks into the California’s past.