Lighting Up Memories: A Night at Filoli

I touched the lovely Bay Area landscape of Filoli before. It's a place we've grown fond of and have revisited multiple times since our initial encounter. Around the end of last year, my wife happened to hear that the best year-end holiday lighting destination in the Bay Area was Filoli; unbeknownst to us, Filoli opened its doors after dark for special events. Fortunately, I managed to get the tickets for the final day (Jan 7th, 2024). I knew I would have deeply regretted missing out on it.

While many might be accustomed to seasonal light displays that are exclusively drive-thru in various parts of the US, my expectations for a 'walk-through' lighting experience were quite high. And my expectations were not only met but exceeded. The experience surpassed my last visit to the Petco Park Christmas Market by leaps and bounds. The beautiful garden transformed into a magnificent sea of jewels. The sheer scale of the lighting went beyond what I had imagined, not just in the number of bulbs but also in the thoughtful arrangement and diverse presentations, like the mesmerizing lighting tunnel.

Exploring the interior of the historic house offered us a different kind of delight. Adorned with holiday decorations, it felt as though the house was on the cusp of hosting a Christmas celebration. The attention to detail was evident in every nook and cranny, showcasing a thoughtful touch throughout.

Lately, my schedule has been packed, and keeping up with my writing has been a bit of a challenge. However, stumbling upon some pictures from last month, I found myself reminiscing about those cherished moments before they could slip away into oblivion. So, today turned out to be another fortunate day.