Upcoming Sharing Gardens

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• A Day at the Huntington

  • When
    Wed, May 06, 2026
  •  
    7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Huntington Gardens
  • Spaces left
    2
  • Registered
    32 registrants

  Register

  Bus Tour
  

  Huntington Botanical Gardens

  
  

  Hop aboard our private motorcoach for a full-day excursion to the Huntington Botanical Gardens at the height of Spring in San Marino. Immerse yourself in the 207-acre estate that features over a dozen specialized botanical garden. The gardens themselves are a breathtaking exhibition of biodiversity, with over 130 acres of themed spaces that transport guests to different corners of the world. Highlights include the iconic Desert Garden, home to one of the largest collections of cacti and succulents, and the serene Japanese Garden, featuring traditional architecture and a moon bridge. You can also explore the Liu Fang Yuan (Garden of Flowing Fragrance, The Chinese Garden), which boasts one of the largest Chinese-style gardens outside of China, and the historic Rose Garden, which traces the evolution of roses through centuries of cultivation. The Japanese Heritage Shōya House is a new, 320-year-old historic home at that opened in October 2023. The 3,000-square-foot 18th-century residence was relocated from Marugame, Japan, and features a newly constructed gatehouse, courtyard, and kitchen garden on a 2-acre site. Each garden offers a distinct atmosphere, ranging from the lush, tropical canopy of the Jungle Garden to the aromatic, meticulously labeled displays of the Herb Garden.

  Feel free to go it alone with a buddy or stay with a group with your tour leader Kathy Ascher, San Diego Master Gardener, who will lead you through some of the more iconic spaces on the grounds. 

  
  

  Lunch is on your own at one of the Huntington Dining Options      .  

  Afterwards you have the afternoon to explore the rest of the Huntington Botanical Gardens or Museums on your own.

  We'll head back to San Diego in late afternoon, arriving early evening.

  Transportation:   Private motorcoach with small bathroom. Roundtrip from Old Town San Diego Transit Center or I-5/La Costa Ave. Park and Ride.

  Schedule:

  • Depart Old Town Transit Center 7:30am, arrive La Costa Transit 8:00am
    
  • Depart La Costa 8:15am, arrive Huntington 10:00am
    
  • Tour Huntington from 10am to 3:30pm
    
  • Depart Huntington 4:00pm, arrive La Costa 6:45pm
    
  • Depart La Costa 7pm, arrive Old Town 7:30pm
    

  Tour Details: Arrive/start group tour of the Palm/Dessert Garden. 
  

  Balance of day until 3:30 PM at leisure to tour other gardens and museums on your own.

  Lunch:  On own at Rose Garden Tea Room House (reservations required), coffee shop or Café; there is also the Chinese Garden Tea House.   The Huntington does not allow you to bring in your own food. More Information 

  Water: Please bring your own refillable water bottle for the tour.

  Reservations: 

  • SDHS Members $98
  • Non-Members $120
  • Select Old Town or La Costa pickup location when registering.
    
  • Payment in full to reserve
    
  • $25 cancellation fee up to March 31st 2026; after then no refund, but you can find a substitute to take your place.  
    
  • Full refund if trip cancelled due to inadequate signups.  
    
  • Tour operates rain or shine!        
    

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• Escondido Open Garden

  • When
    Sat, May 09, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Location
    Escondido - Registration Opens April 25, 2026
  • Spaces left
    94

  Register

  

  A visit to Ray and Bonnie Brooks' Escondido garden is always a treat. Their garden was a horticultural hit on 2025 garden tour and this an opportunity to visit it in early summer. Ray, a former SDHS treasurer, is also known for his woodworking talents. Their property, spanning over an acre, features a diverse collection of plants from around the globe. The garden includes a large greenhouse/conservatory filled with numerous plants and a propagation area. Don't miss the Cycad Terraces. The garden displays over 100 cycads both in-ground and in pots. Take a moment to discover the charm of the Secret Garden where you can unwind beside a waterfall surrounded by Bromeliads, Tillandsias, Epiphyllums, Staghorn Ferns and more. This garden has something for everyone! As you explore, you'll encounter other attractions such as Dragon Trees, native and other waterwise plants, and an abundance of Grevilleas. Note that Ray collects over 2,000 gallons of rainwater for the landscape - check out the rain barrels!

  • If parking near the house is full, there may a bit of a walk from your car to the house. Or come later in the day when there are fewer people!

  • Carpooling is recommended.

  • Wear a hat and sun protection.

  • Comfortable shoes for walking recommended.

  • Handicapped access to the garden is limited.

  • Please no children under 10. Too many spiny plants.

  
  

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• CANCELED! Elfin Forest Sharing Garden

  • When
    Sat, May 09, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Elfin Forest, Escondido
  • Spaces left
    45

  UPDATE

  Dear Members,

  We regret to inform you that the Sharing Garden tour scheduled for Saturday, May 9th has been cancelled. We understand this may be disappointing and appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

  We hope to see you at another upcoming Sharing Garden event soon. Information about future events can be found on our website at sdhort.org.

  Thank you for your continued interest and support.

  Warm regards,
  The Board

  ----------------------------------------------------------

  Dear Members,
  

  Due to the current weather forecast indicating high probability of rain this weekend, the Elfin Forest Sharing Garden event has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 9th.

  Please make a note of the new date and look out for updated registration information, which will be sent out approximately two weeks prior (around 24th of April).

  Thank you for your flexibility. We hope to see you at a Sharing Garden event soon.

  The Board

  
  

  Frank and Susan Oddo Sharing Garden

  This 45-year-old garden on 2.5 acres in Elfin Forest is the creation of Frank and Susan Oddo. They named it Birdsong for its lush Mediterranean vegetation that attracts birds, bees and butterflies year-round. It features Aloes, Agaves, Aeoniums, Bromeliads, Tillandsias, Grevilleas, Leucadendrons, a giant thorn tree, a statuesque Queensland Bottle tree, garden art, and much more. Pathways, gazebos, benches, a koi pond, rock work, and a large deck to enjoy the view are part of its charm.

  • Bring your lunch and sit on the deck after your tour. 
  • Bring a bag or box for give-away plants. 
  • A walking stick for the hillside, while not steep, is useful. 
  • Walking shoes are a must. 
  • No restroom access due to septic.

  

  
  

  
  

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• Escondido Open Garden - 2nd Tour

  • When
    Sat, May 09, 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Escondido - Registration Opens April 25, 2026
  • Spaces left
    83

  Register

  

  A visit to Ray and Bonnie Brooks' Escondido garden is always a treat. Their garden was a horticultural hit on 2025 garden tour and this an opportunity to visit it in early summer. Ray, a former SDHS treasurer, is also known for his woodworking talents. Their property, spanning over an acre, features a diverse collection of plants from around the globe. The garden includes a large greenhouse/conservatory filled with numerous plants and a propagation area. Don't miss the Cycad Terraces. The garden displays over 100 cycads both in-ground and in pots. Take a moment to discover the charm of the Secret Garden where you can unwind beside a waterfall surrounded by Bromeliads, Tillandsias, Epiphyllums, Staghorn Ferns and more. This garden has something for everyone! As you explore, you'll encounter other attractions such as Dragon Trees, native and other waterwise plants, and an abundance of Grevilleas. Note that Ray collects over 2,000 gallons of rainwater for the landscape - check out the rain barrels!

  • If parking near the house is full, there may a bit of a walk from your car to the house. Or come later in the day when there are fewer people!

  • Carpooling is recommended.

  • Wear a hat and sun protection.

  • Comfortable shoes for walking recommended.

  • Handicapped access to the garden is limited.

  • Please no children under 10. Too many spiny plants.

  
  

  Show details