Trips and Tours
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2023 - 2024
Chairperson: RONNA KIVISTO
Monday, September 25th, 2023
Waterwise Botanical Gardens in Bonsall.
There are acres of beautiful nursery and growing grounds, including demonstration gardens, ponds, and a shade house full of creative treasures.
Wear comfy, but sturdy shoes and bring your camera to capture this plant lover's paradise.
Afterward, we will stop for lunch at the ever-popular Rainbow Oaks Restaurant.
We will be meeting at 9:00 a.m. at the Target parking lot to carpool.
There is no charge to attend Waterwise, but remember to contribute to your driver's gas and, of course, pay for your lunch at Rainbow Oaks.
Be sure to sign-up at the September meeting to reserve your spot. We hope you will join us.
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach
https://www.rogersgardens.com/
We are thinking of renting a van to take us.
The cost will be $25.00 per person which includes the rental and gas.
The van can only hold 15 people so there will be a signup
sheet at our October meeting. The first 15 people who
sign up and pay will secure a spot in the van.
February 27, 2024 10:00 am
Armstrong Garden Center in Temecula
Armstrong will be hosting a workshop for us and a garden talk on Houseplants,
their care and the value they bring to our personal health.
A fun morning is planned with surprises and a raffle.
There will be time to shop followed by lunch at Chili’s Restaurant in Temecula.
Sign up at the February 13th meeting.
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2022 - 2023
Chairperson: Karolyn Marr
Below is our tentative schedule and more information is coming on each:
December: Christmas lunch on the veranda at Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens. (Limited to 12 people)
Enjoy lunch and stroll the beautiful grounds. To see more photos taken at Grand Traditions,
go to https://temeculavalleygardenclub.shutterfly.com/ and scroll down until you come to the album added May 19, 2017.
Thursday, February 23rd at Waterwise Botanicals in Bonsall. There are acres of beautiful nursery and growing grounds, including demonstration gardens, ponds, and a shade house full of creative treasures. There will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting. www.waterwisebotanicals.com
(Cancelled due to rainy weather.)
2023 Meditation Gardens, Solana Beach. Date: TBD
A peaceful place to meditate with plenty of gardens and benches to view the ocean.
Shop at a succulent nursery, then onto Clair’s on Cedros for lunch.
April 20: Garden Tour of members’ gardens. Please start thinking about showing your garden. Let Karolyn Marr know if you want to show your garden.
Monday, May 22, 2023 Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers, Rainbow CANCELLED
As a follow-up to our April program we will be visiting the Resendiz Brothers Protea farm where they grow the highest quality proteas along with more than 350
varieties of flowers and foliage.
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2021 - 2022
Chairpersons: Karolyn Marr & Kathie Taylor
December 16, 2021 - Grand Tradition Luncheon
Join us for a Christmas luncheon at the beautiful Grand Traditions in Fallbrook at 11:30.
Enjoy lunch and stroll the beautiful grounds. To see more photos taken at Grand Traditions,
go to https://temeculavalleygardenclub.shutterfly.com/ and scroll down until you come to the album added May 19, 2017.
October 25, 2021 - Cal Pacific Orchid Farm in Encinitas
1122 Orpheus Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024
Perfect timing after our October meeting presentation on Orchids.
After our tour, we will go to lunch at Clair's on Cedros - not far and excellent food.
From their website: "Cal Pacific Orchid Farm is a family owned and operated 36,000 sq.ft. greenhouse conveniently located less than a mile from the beach in Encinitas, California. Cal Pacific is open to the public 6 days per week so there is never any need for an appointment. We serve both orchid enthusiasts and novices alike. We also create some of the most beautiful multi-plant orchid arrangements you'll ever see. Our museum like showroom always hosts 100's of blooming orchid plants from all over the world and dozens of beautiful living arrangements that are great for any occasion. We also create custom arrangements which we deliver throughout North San Diego County. In addition, we carry a full array of orchid supplies, have a very attentive and courteous staff, and be sure to ask about our very popular "Room and Board" program for your orchid collection."
Here is a suggestion for your own trip:
The Santa Rosa Plateau is open in certain areas that didn’t burn in 2019.
(As the burn areas recover from the fires they will be opened in the future for
hiking and visitors.) It’s a great way for family and friends to be out hiking
or outdoors together. The hike varies from 2 to 3 miles in the open section.
The cost is $4.00 per person and the money helps with the costs to restore the plateau.
Directions: Exit I-15 at Clinton Keith Road and go west into the hills. When you
arrive (approximately 4 to 5 miles) there are signs showing where to park and
usually park rangers to assist the visitors.
https://www.rivcoparks.org/santa-rosa-plateau-visitor-center
A recent guest speaker from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park showed us some
amazing photographs letting us see how a trip to the desert park would be perfect
for families and friends to enjoy. Currently the park is not doing in-person guided
tours; however, the Visitor Center is open Thursdays through Mondays.
The Visitor Center can provide you with information and maps of the walking trails and the
Spring Plant Walk. The Visitor Center’s phone number is 760-767-4205.
Please call for additional information before you go.
https://www.nps.gov/places/anza-borrego-desert-state-park.htm
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2020
Planned by Lesley Gjedde and Marlene Voll, co-chairpersons
October 22, 2020 Finch Frolic Garden in Fallbrook
Please visit their website: www.vegetariat.com/ (educational, lots of nice pictures, articles written with
wit and humor, videos from wildlife cam, etc.)
390 Vista Del Indio, Fallbrook, CA 92028
The 1.68 acre permaculture based habitat has beautiful flowers, food, medicinal plants and building materials all thriving together in a peaceful garden.
Walking winding paths through the gardens reveals an abundance of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies everywhere.
The cost is $15.00 per person. We have a 10 person limit per tour and masks are required. There is no carpooling.
For members only.
Discovering Permaculture: The term permaculture was coined in the late 1970’s by Bill Mollison, author of the Permaculture Design Manual.
Mollison used the term to represent methods of growing and living that have been used worldwide for centuries, and which now mostly have been abandoned since the introduction of chemical-based living. Permaculture teaches how to design your property to manage rainwater, stack functions so that each element works with the other, how to feed your soil rather than your plants, cut your costs considerably, and so much more. Permaculture is simple, inexpensive compared to modern gardening practices, and provides abundance. Every year there is better soil, better harvest, better habitat, cleaner and more abundant water, cleaner air, more efficient energy usage and so much more for so much less. Mollison says that in permaculture, 99% of your effort should be in the design, and 1% in the labor, which is the opposite of the way gardens and homes are set up now. If you are working too hard, your design needs adjustment.
“I truly feel that the only way to help curb the downslide of our environment is to show homeowners how to stop using chemicals in their yard and home and live organically.” (Excerpted from the website)
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2019-20
Planned by Lesley Gjedde and Marlene Voll, co-chairpersons
(Some images copied from websites)
Trips and Tours are followed by Lunch.
This photo taken October 22, 2019.
October 22, 2019 - Kimberly Crest
The first trip of the season will be to Kimberly Crest, a French Chateau-style Victorian mansion in Redlands.
It is a registered California Historical Landmark. Once owned and occupied by the family of the founders of the Kimberly Clark paper company.
It features life as it was at the turn of the century. http://kimberlycrest.org/
1325 Prospect Dr, Redlands, CA 92373
Meet at the Target Parking Lot. Time will be revealed later.
There will be a sign up sheet at the meeting; cost is $10.00.
December 12, 2019 - Canterbury Gardens & Gifts
2402 S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 92025 https://canterburygardens.com/
From Harvest to Halloween to Christmas, Holiday Decor & Decorations galore!
For 36 years the store was voted Best Christmas Store in southern California, and winner of the Best gift shop. We will find themed Christmas trees and much more. After we tour the store, can also see their nursery and greenhouse.
To top off the trip, we will go to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
- Japanese Friendship Garden
The Japanese Friendship Garden ("the Garden") is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. It illustrates two cultures and creates an immersive experience into Japanese culture. The Garden's design is based on centuries-old Japanese techniques adapted to San Diego's climate and florae and seeks to foster a relationship between humans and nature, providing a respite attuned to Japanese simplicity, serenity, and aestheticism.
San Kei En – Cherry trees, Azalea & Camellia Garden
Balboa Park, San Diego http://www.niwa.org https://www.balboapark.org/gardens/japanese-friendship-garden
- Tour of Members' Gardens
Some of our members have graciously invited us to visit their home gardens. We will get to see some amazing gardens and are sure to get tips and ideas for our own gardens. Additional information will be provided later.
May 19, 2020 - Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers
“Boutique” type flower farm with 350 varieties of flowers & foliage
Fallbrook (This was one of our programs from last year.)
In early 1977, Ismael ("Mel") Resendiz and his brothers Porfirio, Raul and Ramon immigrated to California and began their careers in the floral industry. Since much of their background had been in farming in various parts of Mexico, it was natural for the brothers to pursue farming opportunities. Mel took a temporary position working as a farmhand at Zorro Protea Farms in the hills east of Rancho Santa Fe and soon realized his passion for flowers and plants - particularly South African and Australian varieties.
"Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers LLC was etablished in 1999 with a passion for growing exotic flowers and a commitment to providing customers with the highest quality products and service. With decades of farming experience in California's ideal Mediterranean climate, we delight in growing spectacular flowers for customers who demand unique and creative floral options. What began as a business focused on proteas has grown into a "boutique" - type flower farm offering a vast selection of the most distinctive American Grown flowers. In addition to proteas, we now cultivate more than 350 varieties of flowers and foliages, and our selection continues to grow!" resendizbrothers.com
There are links to several videos here: https://resendizbrothers.com/resources/videos/
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2018-19
Planned by Lesley Gjedde and Marlene Voll, co-chairpersons
(Images copied from websites)
October 17, 2018 - San Diego Botanic Garden
We will be touring the San Diego Botanic Garden located on Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas, California. The garden includes rare bamboo groves, desert gardens, a tropical rainforest, California native plants, Mediterranean climate landscapes, a subtropical fruit garden, nearly 4,000 varieties of tropical, subtropical, and California native plants. www.sdbgarden.org
Meet at 9:00 am to carpool. Lunch at Le Papagayo restaurant, 1002 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024. lepapagayoleucadia.com
December 19, 2018 - Mission Inn, Riverside
Enjoy lunch at the extravagantly decorated Mission Inn
February 21, 2019 - Discover the Wonders of California Flora
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants, promoting botany, conservation and horticulture to inspire, inform and educate the public and scientific community about California's native flora. The Garden is a living museum with curated collections of more than 22,000 California native plants, some of which are rare or endangered. Spread across 86 acres in Claremont, California, the Garden is located approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles. The Garden displays about 2000 taxa of California plants and includes those native to the California Floristic Province.
Currently they are featuring “Origami in the Garden”. It is an outdoor sculpture exhibition of larger-than-life origami creations. The sculptures capture the delicate nature of Origami, a paper art form originating in Japan and celebrated around the world. Created in museum quality metals, the artworks each tell the story of a single piece of paper as it transforms into a soaring bird, emerging butterfly, galloping pony and many other remarkable forms.
For more information, visit their website: www.rsabg.org
May 23, 2019 - Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens, Fallbrook
Enjoy lunch and stroll the beautiful grounds. To see more photos taken at Grand Traditions,
go to https://temeculavalleygardenclub.shutterfly.com/ and scroll down until you come to the album added May 19, 2017.
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2017-18
Plans from Karolyn Marr, chairperson
(Images copied from websites)
OCTOBER 2017
TOUR THE GREAT OAK TREE AT PECHANGA
After hard work at getting this tour, it will be well worth it! This is a 2000 year old tree on the grounds of Pechanga and just a true spectacle! We have the entire bus and it will take a maximum of 25 people. We will have lunch at Journey's restaurant at the Pechanga Golf Club House. We will meet at the parking lot behind the gas station which is on Pechanga Parkway just after the main entrance. I will provide directions at the sign up table.
DOS GRINGOS IN VISTA
3260 Corporate View, Vista, CA 92081
We will be touring one of the major sunflower growers in the world. We will see sunflowers from the fields and how they are processed for delivery. These are the sunflowers you see at all major markets- Trader Joe's, Costco, and many others.
This video gives a great overview of the company: vimeo.com/175866685
Here is a quote from their website: "We began in 1988 in Carlsbad, California. Hard work, loyal customers and an insistence on quality products has guided us through year after year! Yes, we admit to our share of luck, as well. A positive attitude, great love of our craft and a desire to create an outstanding heirloom American treasure has allowed our band of "can-do" teammates, growers and dreamers to advance this company beyond what we ever dared to imagine."
Visit their website for more: www.dosgringos.com
NOVEMBER 2017
Tour of PERRIS GREEN CITY FARM
135 N. D Street, Perris, CA 92570
The City has built a Community Garden Demonstration Center exhibiting a variety of produce growing systems. These systems include raised garden beds, rolling garden towers, as well as modern growing mediums such as hydroponic and aeroponic gardening systems.
Meet at Target to carpool.
www.cityofperris.org/livewell/community-garden.html
DECEMBER 2017
Christmas at Mrytle Creek Botanical Gardens and Nursery
2940 Reche Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028
https://discovermyrtlecreek.com/
So much to see and do. Enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations and wander the splendid displays of flowers, plants, and gardens. Then on to lunch in the newly remodeled home on the grounds.
FEBRUARY 2018
Alta Vista Gardens 1270 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, CA 92084
"Bringing Together People, Nature, and Art" www.altavistabotanicalgardens.org/
In the center of Vista, CA, is an area--a hill--owned by the city--home to Brengle Terrace Park (great for picnics), a community recreation center (where Vista Garden Club has their annual plant sale and flower show), and a senior center. Drive past the Gloria McClellan Senior Center and up the hill to Alta Vista Botanical Gardens. If you continue driving up and around the hill, you will come to the Moonlight Amphitheater.
Alta Vista Gardens is not only home to many plants (from roses to native CA plants to cacti and succulents to some rare and unusual plants),
but also to ponds and fish and frogs and turtles,
and a lot of art sculptures.
Be careful and be on the lookout for wild animals and dinosaurs!
In the music garden, you will find interesting musical instruments to play with.
If you would like to see all these photos larger, click here.
Lunch at Thai One On 485 S Melrose Dr #108, Vista, CA 92081 thaioneonvista.com
Brigg's Nursery & Tree Company 1111 Poinsettia Ave, Vista, CA 92081
Please visit their website www.briggstree.com
Large selection of all kinds of plants and trees. Prices are often less than most places.
Sign up for their Frequent Buyer's program to save 10% off your next purchase on plants at Briggs,
and also to get their monthly email of tips and to-do's in the garden and list of plants available for the current month.
MAY 2018
Cactus and succulent garden rooms in a unique environment located in Fallbrook
2-acre garden of Wanda Mallen and Gary Vincent
Lunch at the lovely Golf Club Restaurant located nearby.
TRIPS AND TOURS for 2016-17
September 2016
BUTTERFLY FARM, VISTA http://butterflyfarms.org/
Butterfly Farms was established in 2013 because of the concern with the decline of native
butterflies and other native pollinators. They have a 2000 square foot Vivarium (butterfly free
flight house) for the research of our important pollinators.
MOOSA NURSERY - Growers of California Natives
Rainbow Cafe for lunch. Time to be announced.
Some CA Monarch butterflies overwinter in CA. Below is a link to Huell Howser's episode of California's Gold filmed at Pismo Beach:
https://blogs.chapman.edu/huell-howser-archives/2000/01/08/monarchs-californias-gold-2012/
November 2016
Back again! SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND LUNCH AT THE TRAIN DEPOTVisit to Tree of Life Nursery on the Ortega Hwy, which sells California Native Plants. http://www.californianativeplants.com Also, time to browse in some wonderful shops.
April 2017
GRAND TRADITIONS, Fallbrook.
Lovely lunch on the Veranda and tour of the spectacular grounds.