From coastal gardens to rolling north county hillsides, be inspired by San Diego’s native plant landscapes and the people who created them.

About the Gardens

This year’s tour divides the gardens into two groups to make it easier to see the gardens you are most interested in. Your ticket gives you garden access on both days.

• Saturday, April 1, 9 am-4 pm, gardens in San Marcos and Escondido will be open.

• Sunday, April 2, 9 am-4 pm, gardens in Encinitas will be open.

Tickets: $35 on sale through March 30th

Tickets will be held at Will Call sites listed below. You will need to show your ticket sales receipt. Will Call tickets can also be picked up on March 21st, 6:30 pm at the CNPS Chapter Meeting located at Balboa Park, Casa Del Prado - Room 101. 

• Saturday Will Call sites: Sikes Adobe Farmstead and Gardens 4 and 7.

• Sunday Will Call sites: Cottonwood Creek Park and Gardens 19 and 23. 

Group, student and gift tickets available by contacting gardentour@cnpssd.org

Connecting Nature and Community

Our dry Southern California climate and the ongoing challenges with water restrictions, drought, record temperatures, and fire present us with an opportunity to reimagine our landscape choices. What better time to take advantage of landscaping with water-conserving native plants that, in turn, create vibrant and healthy communities. Join us in exploring the biodiversity of San Diego’s urban greenspaces in the spring, as we showcase over 30 private and public gardens and parks bursting with color and connecting nature with community.

For the first time, we are pleased to showcase a native-landscaped HOA park and a delightful elementary school–created habitat trail. Also featured is a Mediterranean botanical garden that includes California native plants, designed by Nan Sterman, KPBS TV host of “A Growing Passion”. Garden designers range from DIY homeowners to native landscape professionals, whose beautiful creative designs also serve as sustainable natural habitats. See below for details on the tour’s special events.

How to Visit the Gardens

See the gardens at your own pace on this two-day tour. Each ticket holder will receive a tour booklet mailed to their home in early March. The tour booklet will also be your “ticket” to access gardens on both days. Free admission for children ages 17 and under.

Questions? Visit our FAQ page

Special Tour events

April 1

9 am to 4 pm: Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead This farmstead is one the oldest adobe homes in San Diego surrounded by a pollinator garden, and native habitat galore. Volunteers will be on site to give guided tours and don’t miss the Art of Nature Station! The CNPS Book & Seed Store will be there too. 12655 Sunset Dr, Escondido 92025

10 am: Grove Park HOA Guided Tour Spend the morning with Vincent Bellino of Restoring California to see the transformation of this two-acre park. Once full of invasive weeds, it is now a thriving habitat full of poppies, oaks, monkeyflowers, sages, manzanitas and more. These water wise plants and trees save the Grove Park HOA more than 50,000 gallons of water per year! 1156 Via Teresa, San Marcos, CA 92069

Sunday, April 2nd

9 am to 2 pm: Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School Schoolyard Habitat Trail with Gjon Hazard Stop by to learn about pollinators and other wildlife featuring StoryWalk® picture books along the trail. Gjon has even more fun nature activities in store! 8000 Calle Acervo, Carlsbad, CA 92009

9 am to 11 am: Indigenous Plants of San Elijo Lagoon with Nature Collective Take a short hike into the lagoon bursting with wildlife and indigenous plants along the trail. See Nature Collective’s habitat restoration sites and Native Plant Nursery. Nature Collective representatives will provide fun facts, a scavenger hunt, and a map at three check-in spots along the route. 800 Santa Carina Solana Beach, CA 92075

11:30 am to 1 pm: San Elijo Ecological Reserve and Nature Center Family Fun Day Springtime brings flowers galore! The lagoon is a plant lovers’ paradise featuring uncommon species adapted to the brackish water of the estuary environment. On Sunday, the park rangers will have plenty of exciting activities in store for the whole family! 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff, CA 92007

1 pm to 2 pm: Cottonwood Creek Park Canyon Restoration Tour with Joe DeWolf Spend the afternoon with conservation specialist Joe Dewolf as he leads you on a guided tour to see rare and special plants of Cottonwood Canyon. In partnership with the City of Encinitas, San Diego Botanic Garden is working to restore native habitats on the City’s open space properties. The CNPS Books & Seeds Store will be on site. 95 N Vulcan Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024

artist Booths at this year’s tour

• Margaret Gallagher and Molly Paulick will share their fine art watercolor illustrations and paintings inspired by nature. Garden 6 and 27

  margaret-gallagher.com/

• SoloBee shelters made with recycled wood by Candace Vanderhoff. Garden 8 and 25 www.solobee.com/

• Carol Gross: Choose from planters, hanging garden decor, bowls, mugs and more, all handmade by on her potter’s wheel. Garden 14

  • Cherrie LaPorte brings her beautiful inspiring art glass, mosaics, and mixed media pieces to be enjoyed in the home or garden. Garden 15 cherrielaporte.com/

• Andrea Wagman-Christian: One-of-a-kind “Tree and Window Jewelry” pieces are handmade creations respecting nature by honoring the elements of sun and wind in our homes and gardens. Garden 17 etsy.com/shop/NatureBlingStudio

• Carla Funk: Brightly colored ceramic tiles, heart boxes, and whimsical sculptures. Garden 18 www.ArtTilesbyCarla.com

 https://mollypaulick.com/