California Zoos & Aquariums

San Mateo County Vacation - Continued Page 2 -  pg 1 /pg 3

"Spare no expense" construction utilized rare woods, massive scale and design elements considered too costly by  today's standards. The mansion is filled with estate artifacts and collector furnishings, while the garden (one of America's finest and most historic,) reflects European influences with its succession of garden rooms containing parterres, terraces, lawns and pools arranged between two parallel north-south walks. With 14 full-time horticulturalists, 100 volunteers and student interns needed to care for over 200,000 plantings and trees, an esteemed list of retired executives and well-to-do residents of upscale Woodside roll up their sleeves to dig in and help. "You wouldn't know it but many of the volunteers are quite wealthy," one person in our tour group whispered. 

Maintenance of this private property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, requires large sums of money and commitment from the local community.  Guided and self-guided tours of the mansion & gardens, plus special events such as Easter Hunt, Jazz at Filoli and Autumn Celebration, make Filoli a treasure to enjoy and and visit more than once. Admission: $12 (approx.) for adult. This "must see" attraction is open February through October.  Address: 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, California 94062. Directions: Approx. 30 miles south of San Francisco in Woodside, south of Highways 92 and 280 Junction. Call for hours, schedule changes and restrictions: (650) 364.8300 x507. filoli.org.

Other fantastic museums in the county include Hiller Aviation Institute & Museum, showcasing the past, present and future of aviation with one-of-a-kind prototype helicopters and aircraft spanning the development of aviation since the early 1800's. Founded by the late, great helicopter pioneer Stanley Hiller Jr. in June 1998, this facility provides one of the finest aircraft collections anywhere. The adjoining gift shop sells unique, hard-to-find memorabilia and collector items sought by aviation buffs. When asked if Howard Hughes and the museum founder were associates, a tour guide replied, "Howard Hughes knew Stanley Hiller, and he put him out of business!" It didn't take much time for  enterprising inventor Stanley Hiller to rebound and soar to new heights, however.  Hiller Aircraft now produces and sells the most versatile line of helicopters in existence, used for military training, farming and a variety of commercial and private endeavors. The museum is located at 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos, CA94070. Cost: $9 for adult (approx.) Phone: (650) 654-0200.hiller.org

Pirates may hear the call of the wild on a visit to Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education. Located next to the Coyote Point Marina where ships are secured, coyotes were not endemic to the area when it was named, though the museum includes one captured in a local neighborhood who was far too friendly to survive in its natural habitat. In addition, you'll see owls, badgers, snakes, a bobcat, ringtail and world famous banana slugs, beloved by the students at nearby UC Santa Cruz. When asked if banana slugs eat bananas, our tour guide responded, "No, they look like bananas."  The museum includes aquariums, computers, games, films and a wildlife habitat which features native Bay Area live animals and plants. Cost: $6 for adult (approx.). Location: 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA94401-1097. Phone:(650) 342-7755. coyoteptmuseum.org  > MORE