2013 Garden Tours
Spring is Here – Time for Garden Tours
San Diego spring is perfect for touring gardens. Landscapes are glorious, the weather is warm and gardeners are eager to share. This year, a few longtime tours are on hiatus, but still 16 fill weekends from March 24 until mid-May. Purchase tickets early since a good number of these tours sell out.
March 24
15th Annual Borrego Garden Tour
Six private gardens, plus a bonus garden, in Borrego Springs. Includes new landscape around a refurbished 1950s home formerly owned by an actor and a 4.5-acre desert oasis with waterfalls and streams.
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $20 ($16 for members of the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, sponsors of the event). $2 discount on tickets purchased by March 9.
Information: abdnha.org
April 6
San Diego Horticultural Society and Lake Hodges Native Plant Club Tour — “Variety is the Spice of Life – and Gardens”
Six gardens in the Poway area include San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles’ 2011 and 2012 Gardens of the Year. Marketplace at Lake Poway Park.
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $25 ($20 for SDHS members in advance)
Information: sdhort.org
April 13
The Fallbrook Garden Club Garden Tour
Seven private gardens, including one featured in Sunset, Fine Gardening and Traditional Home magazines and another showcased in an upcoming issue of Better Homes & Gardens County Gardens. The tour starts at Fallbrook Historical Society Museum, 260 Rocky Crest Road, Fallbrook, where the tour’s marketplace is located.
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets: $20. Purchase in advance at brownpapertickets.com or on tour day at the museum.
Information: fallbrookgardenclub.org
April 20
Eighth Annual Encinitas Garden Festival & Tour
Fifteen private gardens — large and small — in Olivenhain. Gardener’s Marketplace, exhibits and talks on topics range from beekeeping to container gardening.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tickets: $21 for adults, $7 for children 10 and younger. If the tour isn’t sold out, event-day tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children. Admission to marketplace is free.
Information: encinitasgardenfestival.org
April 21
11th Annual Seaside Native Plant Garden Tour
Walking tour features 18 front-yard gardens in the historic Seaside neighborhood of Oceanside. Tour-goers meet in the parking lot at St. Mary’s School, 515 Wisconsin Ave.
Time: 2 p.m.
Tickets: Free; donation requested for map and plant list
Information: bvaudubon.org or ocna.info
April 20-21
“Ticket to Ride” — 88th Annual Coronado Flower Show
Drive by winning front-yard gardens throughout the community and enjoy floral displays and entertainment under a tent in Spreckels Park.
Time: 1 to 5 p.m. April 20; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21.
Tickets: $5 (free for Coronado Floral Association members)
Information: coronadoflowershow.org
April 27
18th Annual Tour the Friends of East County Arts Garden Tour
Six gardens in East County are featured, including a historical homestead with Clydesdale horses to small gardens with an orchid hot house and koi ponds.
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets: $18 ($15 in advance)
Information: friendsofecarts.org
April 27
“Blooms, Boulders and Birds” — Ramona Garden Club Garden Tour and Sale
Six varied tour gardens include one with a working winery, a succulent and rock garden and a flower-filled-landscape. Plants and handcrafted items on sale at the Ramona Community Library.
Time: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20. Admission to sale is free.
Information: ramonagardenclub.com
April 27
12th Annual Point Loma Garden Walk
Ten gardens in an oceanview area of Point Loma. Garden Boutique and plant sale. Benefits Craniofacial Services at Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $25 ($150 for a Diamond Tour, including transportation and lunch)
Information:pointlomagardenwalk.com
May 3-5
“Nature’s Palette” — 16th Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour & Festival
Five Alpine-area gardens teeming with winged wildlife, plus a raptor rehabilitation facility and a “place-of-worship” garden. Habitat plants and pottery on sale in one of the gardens. Concurrent with Festival May 4-5 at Viejas Outlets that includes butterfly releases at 2 p.m. both days.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Tickets: $20 ($15 if purchased by April 1)
Information: chirp.org
May 4
17th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour
Tour a dozen gardens ranging from tropical to succulent, all located in the Clairemont, Bay Park and Bay Ho neighborhoods of San Diego.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $15 ($12 in advance), $10 for seniors, children 10 and younger free
Information: clairemontonline.com
May 11
“Something for Everyone” — 15th Annual Mission Hills Garden Walk
Small cottage gardens and large-estate landscapes are among the 10 gardens on this 2.5-mile walking tour. Artists and musicians in residence in many gardens.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $30 ($25 in advance), children 12 and younger free
Information: missionhillsgardenclub.org
May 11
18th Annual Fallbrook AAUW Country Garden Tour
Gardens on this tour include a tropical landscape and several succulent and waterwise gardens. Rfreshments at the start of the tour at Palomares House, 1815 S. Stage Coach Lane.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $25 ($20 in advance)
Information: aauwfallbrookca.org
May 18
15th Annual Secret Garden Tour
Gardens in La Jolla Farms and Muirlands are among the six gardens on this tour that keeps details secret until event day. Artists, musicians and designer tabletop displays at each garden. New this year is a garden boutique with plants, art and gourmet farm products.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $50 before April 15 ($40 for members of La Jolla Historical Society, tour sponsors). $150 ($140 for LJHS members) for Platinum Tour with brunch, transportation and additional garden stop. Event-day tickets are $60 ($175 for Platinum Tour).
Information: lajollahistory.org
May 18
“Eastern Prospects” — San Diego Floral Association Historic Garden Tour
Eight gardens in the historic neighborhoods of Burlingame and North Park will be showcased. Garden marketplace.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 day of event. Tickets on sale beginning in late April.
Information: sdfloral.org
May 19
Seventh Annual Loma Portal Home & Garden Tour
Six homes and gardens showcase historical restoration, outdoor entertaining and xeriscapes. Craft fair and opportunity drawing at Loma Portal Elementary School.
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets: $25 ($20 in advance)
Information: lomaportalelementary.com
— Mary James
