Pulgas Water Temple

The Pulgas Water Temple is very beautiful and grandiose. It looks straight out of a movie or TV show featuring a fancy garden party at a plush estate. I’m thinking something from Scarface, Dynasty, or the Shah’s of Sunset.
It would be an awesome place to hold a yoga class or meditate however since there is 30-​minute parking limit I feel that that is not the point of here; it’s mainly to walk around for 10 – 15 minutes then move on for others to enjoy.
Even with a few people Pulgas can look crowded as far as picture taking. Some people tend to sit there and take pictures forever and ever obstructing the view. If I were a serious photographer I would probably look into renting the place on the weekend.
It’s a nice place to walk around for 10 minutes or so. It’s definitely not a destination to itself but a good idea to come after Filoli or a road trip down the coast of California.

We took our senior prom photos here around 11am on a Monday. Definitely not a very well known place so I don’t think anyone else will have similar photos. It’s honestly a very beautiful and peaceful place. The pool of water has little water frogs in it which is so cute!!!

Last time I was here I was 5 years old and it was just as amazing as I remembered. It’s perfect for a picnic, free entry, well kept and scenery makes it a Bay Area gem. If you haven’t been here you’ve been missing out.

It’s open ⁰¹⁄₀₁! We went the day after celebrating for a relaxing afternoon. The site itself is pretty small and you can cover all of it in less than five minutes. There are trails nearby if you want a hike. Overall, it was nice, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary.
Once you head up to the well, you would expect to see running water to go into the dam behind, but none of that — you just get an exhaust fan. It was somewhat off-​putting that the trees weren’t all the same height.
Aside from that, it’s not too crowded and good for a brisk (very brisk) walk.

Checked out Pulgas Water Temple since it was open on Thursday, New Year’s Eve 12÷31÷15. It’s open only M-​F 9am-​4pm and by permit on weekends.
It’s kinda hard to see the signs for Pulgas Water Temple but look for the gated green gates and drive slow when you’re on Canada Rd! Friend didn’t see the sign and didn’t turn right when I saw it so we had to back-​up and make a u-​turn when clear.
3 Pit toilets available for bathrooms. There’s suppose to be drinking water in the fountains, but when I went they weren’t working.
30 minutes parking only, not sure if they enforce it. We stayed probably only 15 minutes. Short trail that you need to walk on to see the Pulgas Water Temple. It’s nice for photos, better in the afternoon, because in the morning too much shade covering up a lot of the temple.
Some signs to read along the way. Worth a visit.
On weekends supposedly the gate is open for bikes/​pedestrians — will have to try it one day so I can try for better pictures.

If you’re visiting Filoli or you’re driving by this area, you might wanna stop by here and cross this off your list. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t recommend driving from afar to visit. It wasn’t built for touristy reasons so there’s not much to see or experience. If you are into architecture and history beyond the superficial, then there might be of some interest in the actual structure itself.

What a well kept secret in the Bay Area. I found out about this place through a photographer friend. His photos of this place were so beautiful that I had to check it out. This place is a drive up a narrow road. You can’t miss it because (or at least from what I remember) it’s the last stop before you hit a dead end. There’s a small sign as well so look out for that.
There’s a small parking lot with signs saying parking is only an hour. I don’t think they check that regularly because I’ve stayed for 2+ hours and haven’t gotten a ticket the couple times I’ve came. The lot is tiny but I’ve never had an issue finding parking because the hours are so limited (Mon-​Fri during work hours).
Don’t expect too much when you get here! Yes, the photos of the water temple are beautiful but that’s pretty much all you’re going to see. The place itself is tiny and minimalistic. Very well kept and beautiful, don’t get me wrong but don’t expect a sweeping garden of flowers and greenery. Perfect place to walk around, relax, read a book, have a light snack, chat. So quiet and serene because it isn’t as well known as some other tourist traps.
Warning: I came here for a picnic with a friend and we brought In N Out and there was an ambush of bees swarming to our to-​go bag. So might not be the best place to eat a meal or have a picnic :(

too many changes… and you cant see the water rushing under anymore.

Underwhelming.
I guess the hype was too real and I was expecting something grander and larger than life. Of course the water temple is beautiful with its still pool flanked by beautiful tall trees and a gorgeous view of the strong pillar’d water monument. However, the space itself is quiet, tucked away, and well-​kept.
I’m glad this place isn’t super populated… being open ONLY on weekdays probably helps keep this place in tip-​top shape. There was someone taking a brisk afternoon walk in circles around the temple when we got there, and we also saw some other groups of interested people walk in while we were here. But the foot traffic isn’t intense here, which makes for a great meditation spot.
It also helps to put into perspective the fact that this place was built for the purpose of water supply, versus touristy desires as it is today. Either way, this place is worth a visit if you happen to be in the area or touring Filoli just further down the street. I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here though, but it makes for a great day if you happen to pass by and are looking to do something more interesting than a brunch event or a repetitive hike.

thanks to fellow Unilocalers, i learned that this landmark is very close to filoli so i decided to stop by for a quick visit after my filoli tour. the water temple was created as one of the receiving points for the hetch hetchy reservoir, an important source of drinking water for all santa clara valley residents.
it’s definitely a good idea to use a gps or have someone with a sharp eye looking for the entrance sign else you WILL miss the turn off from canada road. once we entered the premises, we parked in the free lot, but noted that parking is limited to 30 minutes and the gates close promptly at 4pm everyday. this attraction is only open from 9am-​4pm, monday — friday, so be sure to plan accordingly.
we walked about 2 – 3 minutes down the road to the monument and saw a large structure with columns that resembled greek and roman architecture. this structure protects a well, but after taking a closer look, we didn’t see anything b/​c it was completely covered with metal grating. adjacent to this monument is a large, clear pool with a light turquoise background. this was beautiful to look at, but we could neither enter the pool nor touch it, and i understand why since they do want to preserve this part of this historic site. after 5 minutes of gazing, reading the signage, and photo snapping, we headed back to the car, and headed out.
although i would not go out of my way to visit this attraction, i certainly didn’t ming stopping by on my way out of filoli b/​c it was free to visit and definitely something that created a beautiful backdrop for some photographs.

Great place, very clean water, sometimes I like to splash around in it.
I used to be able to jump in like a waterside
There’s a lot of great paths here for walking also.
Everything here is soo beautiful and chill .
I love the scenery, its all soo surreal.
Its a great place to chill and read a book.
Its a great place too be at peace with God.
The entire area smells really good too and its really clean.

«I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people.”– Isaiah 43:20
Built in 1934 by the SF Water Co to commemorate the opening of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, the Pulgas Water Temple (PWT) is a strange sight to behold out in the middle of nowhere. Named after the Rancho de las Pulgas* (the Spanish land grant it’s located in) the PWT marks the completion of a project that took 24 years and cost over $ 102M. Following the 1906 Earthquake, SF was desperate to find a reliable source of drinking water and began eyeing the Hetch Hetchy water in the Sierras. After a little political maneuvering (some of which is still being «discussed» today) the 160 mile journey began. The current layout of the PWT has undergone two major changes since the 1934 opening:
1) The original statue was replaced with the current one in 1938.
2) The Hetch Hetchy water actually used to flow through the temple down the aqueduct into the Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir, but now it’s diverted and flows into a nearby treatment plant. You can still see (and hear) the water flowing out of the plant at the west end of the site.
Here’s some info to help you enjoy your time at the PWT:
Admission– Free! And nothing is better than free, right?!
Parking– There’s a paved lot on site that holds ±50 parking spots, but please note that there is a 30 minute time limit assigned to those spots. I’m not sure how strictly those rules are enforced, but I wouldn’t chance it. I stayed one hour (gasp!) and I’m not sure I’d push my luck any further than that.
Time– The PWT is only open M-​F 9 a.m. — 4 p.m., and is closed on weekends except for permitted events (e.g., weddings, parties, graduations, etc.) Call (650) 872‑5900 for permit information.
Trail– There appears to be an access road, west of the parking lot, that I saw some bicyclists take to explore the woods. However, I wouldn’t recommend accessing it if you’re here to see the PWT with the 30 minute parking limit.
The PWT is a beautiful place to come and visit, and a great place to bring a camera and let your inner Ansel Adams out. The 30 minute parking limit is kind of a bummer, as it really puts a damper on the experience by forcing you to have to watch the clock. You’d be surprised how quickly 30 minutes goes as you read a few kiosks; walk around the temple; snap a few pics and next thing you know it’s been almost an hour! Otherwise, this is a highly recommended experience as it’s well worth whatever time you put into it. I’d suggest maybe timing it in conjunction with a visit to Filoli nearby, and you’d have a terrific day in store.
*Pulgas is the Spanish (and Portuguese) word for fleas

Wouldn’t let us park in their car park basically blocked for a wedding! Okay if there is ample parking out there but this is ridiculous. I pay a lot of taxes to the San Mateo County and they’re double-​dipping by renting out space for wedding’s which is okay except use some bloody common sense and reserve a few spots for others to park in especially during the weekends!!!

Having passed by Filoli, an amazing attraction filled with endless gardens and beauty, my mom and I ended up at the Water Pulgas Temple having realized that we could walk around the area before heading back home. I was always so curious about this temple. Why and how it was built, and why people don’t seem to be inspired by structures like these anymore.
Water once was transferred through the Pulgas Water Temple and it continued into the Crystal Springs Reservoir. However, in 2004, water was then diverted to a nearby plant where the water is treated for chloramine. It’s a great backdrop story that a lot of unsuspecting visitors like myself tend to be very interested in.
If you’re an art history or architecture major, you’ll recognize various reflections of Ancient Greek and Roman style, including fluted columns and Corinthian capitals reflecting the genius intellect of ancient Western Civilization. Furthermore, the aqueduct itself is a byproduct of Roman architecture, whose engineering methods were used to transport and revolutionize how water was being utilized. Amazing stuff for a place that no one has even been to!
Actually, there are two more temples like this one that are all connected together. The Pulgas Water Temple was built in 1934 to celebrate the completion of the Hetch Hetchy pipeline; architect Willis Polk derived his design from an older design, the 1910 Sunol Water Temple which in itself was inspired by the Roman Vesta Temple in Tivoli. Indeed, there is a bit of history that stretches far beyond the 1900s.
Pulgas Water Temple is located about half a mile away from the Filoli, which in turn is off of Edgewood Road. To get there, take I-​280 to the Edgewood Road exit, and head into the mountains. Proceed onto Canada Rd (which should tell you where Filoli is) and drive down into you see a sign marked Pulgas Water Temple.
Of course, this mysterious place is free (as with most of my other hidden discoveries) and is open to the public on weekdays from 9am to 4pm. Closed on weekends (lots of weddings and events are hosted here), it’s a great place to find yourself transported back in time, a time when architecture reigned supreme as a sign of power and wealth.

Whatever ones thinks of Hetch Hetchy, there is little doubt that Pulgas Water Temple has its quirky appeal:
The Corinthian columns, rectangular reflecting pool, and exquisite arboreal landscaping all lend an aesthetic veneer to what is, basically, a pipe outlet emptying Sierra snowmelt into the Crystal Springs reservoirs — themselves some of the prettiest lakes on the Peninsula and important stops on the Pacific flyway for migrating birds.
The days of adolescent water jumps into the temple have passed, although the backstory is well covered in Local Girl Makes History, by UC-​Santa Cruz historian, Dana Frank. Now, 30-​minute parking limits make this a short rest stop for a few photos, a lunch break, or to refill your water bottles at the big blue water station at the start of the walking path. It’s surely a more refined and slightly less edgy place than in the unsupervised days of yore (i.e. the 1970s). This gives the temple grounds the feel of a botanical garden, or perhaps a cemetery, with hushed groups walking about the odd domed structure with a mixture of confusion, respect, and awe.
There are lots of other attractions around for the more adventurous traveler, including the lovely green gem, Edgewood County Park, where you can enjoy quiet sunrise hikes surrounded by bouncing bunnies, flittering butterflies, and grazing deer. And the Santa Cruz Mountain Open Space Preserves like Purisima, Russian Ridge, and El Corte de Madera beckon. But sometimes all you need is 15 minutes of quiet relaxation, and Pulgas offers that — plus some uncomfortable truths about where all that Bay Area drinking water comes from.
Pulgas Water Temple isn’t the natural wonder that the Hetch Hetchy Valley once was and will become again in the damless future. It’s more of a late imperial landmark to the 20^th century’s obsession with classical antiquity and the need to deify civil and hydraulic engineering as the guarantors of comfortable urban living. As long as you are able to clear your mind and think critically about Californian history at the same time, you’ll find Pulgas («the fleas») a pleasantly provocative place.

Such a lovely sight and gem in Redwood City! It’s almost like you are in heaven when you get to the water temple itself. Though it’s only open Monday thru Friday, it is a single walk path and nice place to relax at for a short period of time.

Don’t expect more than what this is called. You will see a water temple and a single walk path. So, it is a nice 5 – 10 minute get out the car and stretch to see this. Otherwise, you are better off to go to another state park with more trails and sights. It is however nice for locals to get a stroll in with family and kids. So, I would agree with everyone that YES it is a nice place. But, don’t make it the only place to drive all the way to visit or you will be disappointed. There is the nearby Edgewood Park and Crystal Springs Cross Country Trails which are far better.

«San Francisco built Pulgas Water Temple as a monument to the engineering marvel that brought Hetch Hetchy water more than 160 miles across California from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Bay Area. The Hetch Hetchy Project took 24 years to build through the Great Depression at a cost of $ 102 million.»
What a great sight to see! Surrounded by beautiful green grass, trees, light blue pool, and of course the temple, you are automatically forced to feel relaxed and at ease. There’s even a short trail to take a nice stroll surrounding this place. For parents with little ones, the trail is stroller friendly, but I would probably recommend a jogging stroller if you have one.
The hours are M-​F from 9am to 4pm and closed on the weekends for private events. With that said, hubby and I took a Friday off to come out here with the kids. It was well worth it as Pulgas Water Temple makes for a nice backdrop to take family pictures.
Tip: Parking is limited to 30 minutes

Have you ever been to this hidden gem of a spot. I recently came here for a wedding and found out that is is open to the public during the weekdays. Probably the normal working hours since it is the Terminus of the Hetch Hetchy water aqueduct. There were a couple of city work trucks parked nearby as well as a few others who came to take photos. I was eating close by in the neighborhood so decided to drive over and have a little relaxation break. Nice to just sit on the grass overlooking the reflecting pool and the water «temple». It’s a pretty cool little spot to get some sun and take in the scene.
Great for relaxing. Not much to do here except that. Bring a takeout lunch and clean up after yourself. This is where our drinking water comes from. Also no pets allowed :(but I guess it help keeps our water supply clean.

Finally on Sunday we rode by and found it open. Woo-​hoo! I’m not sure what the hours are but they aren’t very regular.
First, it’s really not anything that special so it’s not worth a specific trip. However, if you are passing by it’s worth stopping. It’s an over-​the-​top temple with pool and trees built around where the water from the Hetch Hetchy flows out into Crystal Springs Reservoir. You can’t see into the water well though you can see the water flowing out of it. It’s not that big and there’s not much to see or do. But it makes a great place to take a break since it’s sheltered and sunny and it’s just crazy to find a greek/​roman style temple out here.