California Garden Tours

TOURS, EVENTS, FUNDRAISERS, FESTIVALS

Gardens offer therapy to gardeners, soothing scenes to observers, learning experiences for the inquisitive, and great tours for the public to enjoy. We've compiled a list of special event garden tours you may enjoy in California.

LOS ANGELES: Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour March 28-29, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Los Angeles County
$25-40, theodorepayne.org
Theodore Payne Foundation
10459 Tuxford Street
Sun Valley, CA
The Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour is a two-day, self-guided adventure through the Los Angeles region’s most beautiful home landscapes. You’ll learn about native plants, garden design, and wildlife habitat. Since 2003, Theodore Payne Foundation, together with passionate native plant gardeners throughout LA County, has set the standard for Southern California’s sustainable landscaping. The Garden Tour has proven time and again that native gardens are beautiful, can be designed on any budget, and that each of us plays a critical role in supporting biodiversity. This year’s event showcases 42 gardens, with 21 new to the Tour.

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco's East Bay Garden Conservancy Open Days 
$Tickets, gardenconservancy.org/opendays
Tour private gardens in the area.

SAN FRANCISCO: Salesforce Transit Center Park Tour by principal architect Adam Greenspan of PWP Landscape Architecture, April 14, 2020 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Salesforce Transit Center, 425 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
$120 General admission, (845) 424-6500
A modern transit station capped with an iconic 5.4-acre rooftop park, designed as a public destination and community asset in downtown San Francisco serves as an essential element of the new East Cut neighborhood. The design incorporates large, healthy trees and the gardens, Bus Fountain public art. 

PASADENA: Pasadena Open Garden Day April 26, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$10 admission to each garden, gardenconservancy.org/open-days/
Private gardens La Casita del Arroyo Garden, Barber House, Fisher-Quinn Garden, Greg's Garden, King Residence and Prospect Crescent Garden

 

PALO ALTO: Gamble Garden Spring Garden Tour April 24-25, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$35-40 approx. gamblegarden.org
Tour five private gardens. Come to Gamble House for shopping at the Marketplace, Over the Garden Fence, and Plant Sale. Get advice from garden experts, enjoy lunch, refreshments, and live music. Proceeds benefit The Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, a nonprofit community horticultural foundation.

PIEDMONT: Heart of the Home Tour April 24-25, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$50-75, wehelpkids.org
Receive a Tour Book for self-guided Tour of beautiful homes in Piedmont and Oakland Hills where you may view many of the rooms as well as the gardens. Event benefits at-risk children.

SANTA ANA: Floral Park Home & Garden Tour April 25-26, 2020, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Main entrance at the corner of Victoria Dr. and Santa Clara
Santa Ana, CA
$40 at entrance, floralparkhometour.com

LAGUNA BEACH: The Laguna Beach Garden Club's Gate & Garden Tour is Friday, May 2, 2020, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
 Enjoy a walking tour of private gardens in charming Laguna Beach, CA.
$50, lagunabeachgardenclub.org

TUSTIN: Old Town Tustin Promenade Home & Garden Tour May 2, 2020, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
$25 approx., tustinhistory.com
Enjoy a stroll through old Tustin viewing how select owners have turned vintage homes and gardens into modern day living spaces while maintaining the charm of yesteryear.

SANTA CLARA: Going Native Garden Tour May 2-3, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free, but registration needed: gngt.org
A free tour of native gardens in Santa Clara Valley & Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area organized by the California Native Plant Society (Santa Clara Valley Chapter) in association with UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. Free of charge to the public, each do-it-yourself tour features up to 60 gardens demonstrating reduced water use, reduced chemical and pesticide use, improved habitat, and aesthetic appeal of California native plants. On tour day, sponsoring nurseries conduct native plant sales at select gardens with a portion of proceeds benefiting Going Native Garden Tour.

ORANGE COUNTY - LONG BEACH: Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour May 2-3, 2020, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Usually Free, heardsgardentour.com
The gardens will be open rain or shine. Tour guests can choose any of the 40 residential gardens from Long Beach to San Clemente. No price will ever be put on viewing the gardens. Donations received at the host gardens on tour days or through online donations go to special causes

CLAYTON: Clayton Gardens Tour May 1-2, 2020, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$35-40, claytonhistory.org
See 5 beautiful gardens and help support Clayton Historical Society.

SONOMA-MARIN: Eco Friendly Garden Tour May 2, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free, savingwaterpartnership.org/ eco-friendly-garden-tour/
Eco-Friendly Garden Tour The Eco-Friendly Garden Tour is a public outreach and education program that promotes sustainable landscaping practices by showcasing inspiring gardens throughout Sonoma and Marin counties. The Tour highlights Russian River-Friendly and Bay-Friendly landscaping best practices.

MARYSVILLE - YUBA CITY: American Association of University Women Garden Tour May 2, 2020, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
$25, mvyc-ca.aauw.net
Self-guided tour of private home gardens in Yuba and Sutter Counties. The gardens can be viewed in any order of preference. Regional artists featured in each of the gardens.

SAN DIEGO: Clairemont Garden Tour May 2, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
San Diego, CA
$20-25 approx., clairemontonline.com
Visit ten gardens on this self-guided tour in the Clairemont/ Bay Park/ Bay Ho area of San Diego.

CONTRA COSTA: Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour May 3, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  A collection of 40 Alameda County and Contra Costa County gardens designed and installed by owners or professionals. Free, bringingbackthenatives.net

CAMARILLO: Camarillo Garden Tour May 3, 2020, 12-4 p.m.
$25 approx., lmvna.org/gardentour/
Five fabulous gardens, art, boutique, music, raffle, refreshments and more!  The annual tour includes five amazing gardens.

RANCHO SANTA FE: Mother's Day Weekend Home and Garden Tour May 3, 2020, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
$50, rsfgardenclub.org
Open air trolleys to four private garden estates. Food stands, arts & crafts marketplace, beer & wine, live music everywhere.

SIMI VALLEY: Simi Valley Garden Tour May 5, 2019, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
(805) 491-3363  
$20-25, simivalleychamber.org
Stroll through gardens at your own pace in any order you desire at the annual Simi Valley Garden Tour showcasing pride of ownership, a joy of gardening and love of the outdoors. There's a plant sale & vendors too! This tour is a fundraiser for the Simi Valley /Moorpark Republican Women Federated.

MOTHER'S DAY IS MAY 10, 2020

DANVILLE: AAUW Garden Tour May 8-9, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$35-40, daw-ca.aauw.net
See approx. five unique gardens in the Alamo, Danville and Walnut Creek area.

GILROY: Impressions Home and Garden Tour and Boutique May 8-9, 2020, 10 a.m. check ins begin.
$35-40 approx., gilroyassistanceleague.org
Strolling Tour through the heart of Gilroy featuring five distinctive homes in the annual tour.

BENBOW:  Redwood Grove Estate & Garden Tours
year-round
$20, juliamorganredwoodgrove.com
Redwood Grove Boutique features oil paintings, apparel, homemade jams, candles, hand painted flower pots, plants and seeds. Park your car at the old historic Benbow bridge area or pay fee to park in Benbow state park. It's an easy 0.4 mile walk to home. Golf cart shuttle available.  Location: Julia Morgan House, 255 Benbow Dam Road, Benbow, CA

NEWPORT BEACH: Sherman Library & Gardens Newport Beach Garden Tour May 9, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$60, slgardens.org
23rd Annual Newport Beach Garden Tour Saturday, May 11 Seven private gardens in Newport Beach each feature an artist painting in the garden throughout the day. The ticket price also includes a light lunch with live music at Sherman Gardens. After the tour, return to Sherman Gardens for an after party 3-5 p.m. with raffle and silent auction prizes awarded.

SACRAMENTO: East Sacramento Garden Tour May 9-10, 2020
$20-25, davidlubingardentour.com
Tour beautiful and inspiring gardens in Sacramento's Fabulous 40s neighborhood. Stroll along the tree-lined streets and beautiful homes to view a variety of lush and creative gardens. Enjoy an optional (fee-based) Tea Garden lunch on Sutter Lawn.

ENCINITAS: Mother's Day Weekend Art, Garden & Studio Tour May 9-10, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$30, sandieguitoartguild.com
The non-profit San Dieguito Art Guild self-guided, driving tour on Saturday and Sunday features artists from the San Dieguito Art Guild positioned in the gardens, showing and selling their paintings, ceramics, glass, gourd art, fiber arts, photography, jewelry, and much more. Free refreshments served at every stop. The homes are easy driving distance in the Encinitas / Carlsbad area. Each home is as unique as the artists and owners. This event is the major fund-raiser of the year for the San Dieguito Art Guild.

ESPARTO: Capay Valley Mother's Day Farm and Garden Tour  May 10, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Capay Valley Country Gardens Tour
17001 Yolo Ave.
Esparto, CA
$10 approx., facebook.com/CapayValleyGardenTour
Stroll through the Valley's finest gardens. See California native shrubs integrated into perennial gardens. Talk to the gardeners. Box lunches for sale at the Guinda Grange Hall using local ingredients. Art and plants for sale at the Grange Hall. A floral design demonstration, and Mother's Day bouquets to purchase.

HEALDSBURG: Mother's Day Open Garden May 10, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $2 Donation russian-river-rose.com
Russian River Rose Company
1685 Magnolia Drive
Healdsburg, California 95448
A Prelude to Mother's Day May 9, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$2 Donation
Enjoy the sights and fragrances of the garden at full bloom on the eve of Mother's Day. The nursery features roses and rose oriented gifts for sale.
Mothers Day Open Garden May 10, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$2 donation.
Honor of wonderful Mothers with a visit to the garden. It's become a family tradition to take time to Smell the Roses! See California's only Perfume Rose Fields in Full Bloom with 650 varieties of roses. Check out Rose Allee with huge rambling roses billowing down from 12'x12' arches, Purple Playground, Humming Bird Wall, Hollywood and Vine, Children's Garden and the Kitchen Garden collections.

LOOMIS: UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Mother's Day Garden Tour Sunday, May 10, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tour seven unique gardens in Loomis, Rocklin and Granite Bay.
$20, pcmg.ucanr.org
 You can nominate a garden to be part of the tour before the event.

MISSION VIEJO: Elegant & Enchanting Garden Tour May 9, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$25-30, rosesrosesroses.org/gardentour2019.php 
The Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain is sponsoring its annual event featuring a curated selection of five gardens from Laguna Niguel to Portola Hills in south Orange County. Styles range from cottage to California native and from expansive view lots to petite patios. A secret garden replete with fruit trees and fairy homes; a patio garden that maximizes entertaining space using multiple garden rooms, water features and an amazing array of stunning container plantings; or a garden of lovely California natives that requires almost no irrigation to thrive.

NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Harbor Home and Garden Tour May 14, 2020, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
$85-95 approx. newportharborhometour.com
This year seven beautiful homes in the Newport Harbor High School area are featured, along with a gourmet luncheon and  specialty boutique overlooking the bay.

LA JOLLA: Secret Garden Tour May 16, 2020 and Candlelight Garden Soirée May 15, 2020
780 Prospect
San Diego, CA
$50-up, lajollahistory.org
La Jolla Country Club / Wisteria Cottage
La Jolla Secret Garden Tour
La Jolla Historical Society extends a rare invitation to the public to stroll behind the garden gates of some of La Jolla's loveliest, secluded gardens, normally concealed from view by strategic growth of mature trees, vines or foliage. The Tour aims to feature a variety of garden styles.

SAN CLEMENTE: San Clemente Garden Club Garden Tour May 16, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Self-guided tour of several gardens in San Clemente.
$30-40 approx., sanclementegardenclub.com
Gardens are not wheelchair accessible and event is not suitable for children.

BEVERLY HILLS: Friends of Robinson Garden Tour and Floral Decor Extravaganza May 16, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
1008 Elden Way
Beverly Hills, CA
(310) 550-2068
$250-up, robinsongardens.org
Annual Into the Garden benefit showcasing five private gardens as well as tours of the Virginia Robinson estate in Beverly Hills.

GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA CITY, PENN VALLEY: Sierra Foothills Spring Garden Tour May 16-17, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$25-30 approx., sierrasoroptimist.org
Soroptimist International Sierra Nevada Foothills annual self-guided tour of 6 gardens in Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn and Penn Valley.

ROSSMOOR: The Rossmoor Woman's Club Outdoor Living & Garden Tour May 17, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$15 approx., rossmoorwomansclub.org
Annual Garden Tour and Outdoor Living, a self-guided tour of 5-6 gardens.

FAIRFAX: Garden Masters — A Garden to Heal the Land May 19, 2020, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
 $200, includes a copy of Living Land: The Gardens of Blasen Landscape Architecture, lunch at a local restaurant following the tour (845) 424-6500
Silvina Blasen, renowned landscape designer, offers a tour of her natural and drought-resistant garden sporting expansive views of the tree-covered hills of Mount Tamalpai. Silvina shares her list of sustainable garden practices that you can apply in your own gardens. 

FORT BRAGG: Art in the Garden August 1, 2020, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mendocino Coast Botanic Garden
gardenbythesea.org

Past Tours or To Be Announced

LOS ANGELES: Leimert Park Garden Tour  next tour takes place in May 2021 - check back again
Garden Tour Hub
4305 Degnan Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
$20, leimertparkgardentour.com
Self-guided  features 10 private residents.

SAN FRANCISCO: Friends of Noe Valley  Garden Tour  May 4, 2019, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. no date listed as of 3/1/2020
$20, friendsofnoevalley.com
Tour has ten private gardens --  theme is once again Art in the Garden. A variety of art including sculpture, painting and photography by local artists displayed in every garden. 

PARADISE: No Garden Tour 2019
paradisegardenclub.org
The 2018 Camp Fire left the town of Paradise devastated. What does a garden club do without a garden?!  Well, we carry on, they say. This volunteer group is working hard to rebuild and maybe one day have a garden tour again.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.