Pulgas Water Temple

Such a breathtakingly beautiful location. It's the perfect environment for couples, families, and pets alike. While the blooming lavender was the main draw for my visit, the majestic architecture was an unexpected highlight. We were fortunate enough to catch a beautiful proposal ceremony during our visit—truly a romantic moment to remember. Best wishes to the couple! I highly recommend checking this place out.

Visted on a Friday. Lovely spot. Wasn't expecting a nice hill of grass. Nice to sit on. Directions were wrong though. You have to go through Cañada Road and not Old Cañada Road to access the temple. No dogs allowed but there are restrooms. Limited parking. Come early! Closed on weekends.

Finally got the chance to visit since it’s only open on weekdays. The Pulgas Water Temple is a beautiful and peaceful spot with well-kept grounds and a relaxing atmosphere. Great for a short walk, taking photos, or simply enjoying some quiet time. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.

I recently stopped by the Pulgas Water Temple during a drive along Cañada Road, and it was such a pleasant surprise. The Beaux-Arts architecture is stunning, and the reflection pool makes it feel incredibly serene and timeless. It is hard to believe this beautiful monument was built just to celebrate the completion of an aqueduct back in the 1934! It is a fantastic place for a quick, quiet stroll, a little bit of local history, or some beautiful photography. A few tips for your visit: • Check the days: They are only open Monday through Friday (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and are completely closed on weekends, so keep that in mind when planning. • Parking: There is a small parking lot on-site, which makes it very easy to access. • Keep it brief: You probably won't need more than 20–30 minutes here, but it is well worth the stop if you are in the area. Highly recommended if you appreciate architecture, history, or just want a quiet moment in nature!

Not enough people know about this place and honestly I’m okay with that. Pulgas Water Temple has full Tuscany vibes — the columns, the reflecting pool, the cypress-lined entrance — and because it flies under the radar you get real privacy here. No crowds, no strangers walking through your shots. As an engagement and wedding photographer I actively encourage my couples to consider this location. It photographs unlike anywhere else in the Bay Area and the images always end up looking like they were taken somewhere in Europe. For engagement sessions, elopements, and intimate weddings this place is truly special. Best light hits about 2 hours before sunset when the sun clears the western tree line and wraps around the columns beautifully. One important thing to know — weekend parking at the temple is closed. The nearest option is Filoli Gardens, which is about a 25 minute walk. Worth it, but plan ahead and check before you go.

Unexpected beautiful Greek temple spot great for photos. A wedding was taking place when we there on a Friday morning. Clean smooth mountain spring water available from the drinking fountain at the start of the trail to the temple too. Filler up!

About 10 minutes away, we visited the Pulgas Water Temple. There was an event held in 1934 in commemoration of the successful project that brought the waters from Hetch Hetchy in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the San Francisco Bay Area, over 160 miles away. During this event, the “water temple”, was built in the Roman-style with columns to celebrate this momentous occasion. Today, it is not only a nice park for visitors, you can also taste the fresh water from the Sierra Nevada here. Most of all, the Pulgas Water Temple and the body of water in front of it provide an instagrammable photo moment. During our visit, there were a couple of influencers taking photos and video. Since it was a Thursday afternoon, there weren’t many people and “nobody” shots were possible. On weekends however, we heard that it can get quite crowded... For the full review and details of our 5 months Round The World (RTW) travels, visit 2bearbear today!

Beautiful backdrop with a nice walk around. Most people get wedding and family pictures here. The architecture is amazing with roman touch. You can read about its history and how the water system is connected. Nice drive and location. Overall a good weekend outing with family. Highly recommend.