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Whether you’re looking to tour a home, hone your gardening skills or explore local history, you’ll find plenty of opportunities on the Peninsula this spring. Check out our May home & garden events calendar.
Bonsai exhibit & demonstration
Now – May 31| Dining Room Terrace, Filoli Historic House & Garden, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside| General Admission tickets required | Reservations & more information
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at Filoli. Throughout May, the historic estate is hosting events and special exhibits recognizing the rich cultural history, traditions and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
As part of these activities, Filoli’s bonsai collection will be on display throughout May with object labels translated in English, Japanese and Traditional Chinese. Filoli’s bonsai collection consists of large historic plants from the Bourn and Roth families, who formerly owned the estate, as well as smaller plants donated after the Roth era. When the Roths purchased Filoli, these plants continued to be carefully maintained by Lurline Roth’s Japanese gardener Mr. Okasaki. Among the collection is a 50-year-old redwood that is only 2 feet tall.
For those curious about bonsai care, members of Kusamura Bonsai Club will be on hand from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday, May 18, at the Dining Room Terrace to demonstrate bonsai pruning and answer all your questions about this ancient artform.
Herbal tea party
1-3 p.m., Friday, May 9 | Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto | Nonmembers $65, members $52 | Tickets and more information
Enjoy specialty herbal teas and delicious pastries at an exclusive afternoon party at Gamble Garden. Make your own herbal tea blends from an array of organic herbs and flowers, many of which were collected from the garden. Steep it, infuse it, and indulge in homemade treats, while learning home to grow and prepare herbs from your garden. Your host is Gamble’s Horticulture Team, who will answer all gardening questions. Space is limited.
ADU resource fair & home tour
10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 10, | Belmont Senior & Community Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane Belmont | Free |More information
Learn how to navigate the ADU process — from design and permitting to financing and construction during this free event organized by ADU Resource Center of San Mateo County. The nonprofit is dedicated to supporting the development of Accessory Dwelling Units across the county with the goal of adding housing to the region.
Two dozen vendors, including architects, builders, finance professionals, will be available to share information about their services. Finance and design professionals will be giving talks on different aspects of ADU building. Additionally, YouTube ADU influencer Ryan O’Connell will share his insights on ADUs.
Guests will be able to tour several real-life ADUs during and after the event
Sell your items at the Palo Alto Citywide Yard Sale
Now-May 13, registration open | 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, June 1, Citywide Yardsale | Register here
Registration is open for Palo Alto residents interested in selling items during the city’s upcoming Citywide Yard Sale on June 1. The event provides residents an opportunity to get rid of clutter and earn some extra cash by hosting a sale in their own yard as part of the citywide event, which is coordinated by the City’s Zero Waste Program.
Those who register will receive a fact sheet with tips for a successful sale and a list of reuse organizations and their address and sale merchandise will be included in a printed full-page map in the Friday, May 31 edition of the Palo Alto Weekly and available online.
The sale, which was launched in the 1990s, has become a bargain hunter’s staple, drawing buyers from as far away as Modesto and Gilroy.
The aim of the sale and larger mission of the Zero Waste Program is to work with the Palo Alto community to lessen material consumption and reduce waste.
Celebrate San Mateo County’s 169th anniversary
5 p.m., Thursday, May 15 | San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City | Free
Come celebrate San Mateo County’s colorful past, present and future during its 169th anniversary bash, which will include historical reenactments, kid-friendly activities and DJ music. Since its founding in 1856, San Mateo County has been a cornerstone of innovation, creativity, community and economic vitality. This free public event honors that rich legacy while looking ahead to an exciting future.
Festivities kick off with historical reenactments and live music at the museum. From there, a community procession will lead to 500 County Center, the County’s newest building in Redwood City, for the official dedication and unveiling.
At 6 p.m., guests will be treated to a short film about the building, followed by an open house featuring the lobby and board chambers. Families can take part in hands-on children’s crafts that explore the County’s history, while live music by DJ John Beaver keeps the celebration going.
Free parking will be available at the San Mateo County Jury Parking Garage (400 Middlefield Road). Please RSVP by May 12, 2025, to bmurdock@smcgov.org or call 650-363-4572.
Wildflower walk at Russian Ridge
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Friday, May 16 | Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, Redwood City | Free | More information
Join docent naturalists Sabra Abraham, Lindsay Joye and Lyle Rice on this moderately paced 3.5-mile quest for early spring wildflowers along the Ridge, Charquin and Ancient Oaks trails. You’ll spend the morning looking for colorful blooms amid a variety of habitats, including grasslands, oak woodlands and chapparal. Meet at the parking lot, which is located on the northwest corner of Skyline Boulevard and Page Mill/Alpine Road.
Sustainable housing workshop
6:30-7:15 p.m., Friday, May 16 | Matadero Room, Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto | Free | Registration required
Learn efficient and cost-saving ways to go about making your home more sustainable. During this 45-minute workshop presented by Gunn High School’s Social Justice Advanced Authentic Research Class, guests will be walked through how to implement sustainable solutions and complete a related hands-on activity.
Composting basics
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 17 | first-floor program room, Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View| Free | Registration required
Find out how to compost at home and use compost in your garden or on your house plants. Residents can see live demonstrations to build and maintain a backyard compost pile and worm compost bin in this workshop hosted by the University of California Compost Education Program.
Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, May 17 | Self-guided home tour, various locations from Belmont to San Jose | Tickets and more information
Get a firsthand look at some of the best examples of modern architecture in the area during the annual Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour. Sponsored by the Modern Architecture + Design Society, the self-guided tour gives the public an opportunity to visit and explore six private modern residences, as well as to talk with the architects, designers and builders who had a part in creating the homes. This year’s tour includes homes in neighborhoods in Los Altos, Palo Alto Campbell, Saratoga and San Carlos.
The ‘Essential Guide to Mushroom Foraging‘
11 a.m. – noon., Saturday, May 24 | Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos| Free | More information
Delve into the captivating world of mycology and learn the essential skills of mushroom identification. This program provides a comprehensive introduction to recognizing edible varieties like chanterelles, morels and porcini, while emphasizing the critical importance of distinguishing them from poisonous species. Through interactive learning, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the ecological role of fungi and develop a foundation for safe and responsible exploration of the natural world.
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