Carolands

Carolands is a Beaux-Arts mansion in Hillsborough, California, set on a large estate overlooking the bay. The structure displays symmetrical facades with tall windows, colonnades, and stonework that recall French manor houses of the 18th century.

Harriett Pullman Carolan commissioned Parisian architect Ernest Sanson to design the mansion in 1912, with Willis Polk overseeing construction on site. The house was completed in 1916 and later passed through several owners who restored it and opened it to guided visits.

The name comes from Harriett Pullman Carolan, who commissioned her version of a French château on this hillside. Visitors today walk through salons and ballrooms modeled after Parisian interiors, with guides explaining the decorative choices in each room.

You must book in advance because tours run at set times and group sizes are limited. The guided visits last around two hours and cover several rooms as well as the exterior grounds.

The gardens were laid out by Achille Duchêne, who also worked at Versailles and Blenheim Palace. Some rooms remain empty today, allowing visitors to observe the proportions and architectural details without furniture.

Location: California

Inception: 1916

Architects: Ernest Sanson

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

Website: http://carolands.org

GPS coordinates: 37.55550,-122.37075

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24