Fort Bragg - Mendocino Coast Botanic Garden Art in the Garden

California Garden Tours & 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. But first, here are a few facts:

∙ California leads the nation in the sales of bulb flowers, potted plants and cut flowers, flower seeds, herbs, nursery bedding plants and nursery crops.
∙ California has close to 100 gardens the public can visit, including 14 Japanese gardens and 22 arboretums with gardens.

LOS ANGELES: Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden "Habits that Heal" Tour April 11-12, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Los Angeles County
$55, 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 42 gardens in 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. 

CALIFORNIA: Garden Conservancy Open Days at California Participating Gardens requires visiting this website and reserving tickets
$Tickets, gardenconservancy.org
Tour private gardens which as of 2026 include: 

• Aging Gracefully Open Day May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Berkeley, CA
• An Impressionist Painting Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Cathedral City, CA
• Anton-Histed Nature Preserve Open Day March 21, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Palm Springs, CA
• Architect’s Home + Garden Open Day May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Albany, CA
• Beton Brut Garden Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Rancho Mirage, CA
• Buscho Garden Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  San Rafael, CA
• Casita Real Open Day March 21, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Palm Springs, CA
• Cottage Garden Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  San Rafael, CA
• Desert Moraines Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Rancho Mirage, CA
• Digging Deeper: Designing In Situ: Responding to Micro Climate and Architecture Open Day April 18, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Walnut Creek, CA $40
• El Jardin De las Ranas Open Day May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Oakland, CA
• Garden of Michael Lemont and Steven Trifone Open Day May 30, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Stinson Beach, CA
• Gratitude Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Rancho Mirage, CA
• Hidden Away Gardens Open Day April 18, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Moraga, CA
• La Fleur Lochinvar Garden Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  San Rafael, CA
• Las Palmas del Norte Open Day April 18, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Walnut Creek, CA
• Mi Sueno del Sur Garden Open Day April 19, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Pasadena, CA
• North Oakland Hillside Botanical Retreat Open Day May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Berkeley, CA
• Oasis of Birds and Blooms Open Day June 6, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  San Mateo, CA
• Pepperwood Pottery Open Day May 16, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Navarro, CA
• Rose Gardens Open Day April 19, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Pasadena, CA
• Southern California Arts & Craft Garden Open Day April 19, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Pasadena, CA
• Tamarisk Modern Hacienda Open Day April 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Rancho Mirage, CA
• Gauntlet Garden Open Day April 18, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Lafayette, CA
• The Giving Garden Open Day April 18, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Walnut Creek, CA
• The Panoramic Garden Open Day May 30, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Stinson Beach, CA
• Villa Rosemarie Open Day March 21, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Palm Springs, CA
• Villa Vecchia Open Day March 21, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Palm Springs
  $10
• Visions of Paradise - Sally Robertson Garden & Studio Open Day May 30, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Bolinas, CA
• Wildwood Open Day May 16, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Philo, CA

SAN DIEGO: Clairemont Garden Tour April 11-12, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
San Diego, CA
$40-45 approx., clairemontonline.com
Visit ten gardens on this self-guided tour in the Clairemont/ Bay Park/ Bay Ho area of San Diego.

SANTA CLARA: Going Native Garden Tour April 18-19, 2026, 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.

PALO ALTO: Gamble Garden Spring Garden Tour April 24-25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$  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.

FOLSOM: Folsom Garden Tour April 25-26, 2026
$, folsomgarden.org 
Presented by Folsom Garden Club, the annual event features  stunning gardens, each with its own unique style and personality. The gardens vary from large to small and feature a variety of colors, textures, art, patios, pools and waterfalls. 

RIVERSIDE: Riverside Community Garden Tour April 25-26, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Elks Lodge, 6166 Brockton Ave., Riverside, CA. 
$10 for garden tour, riversideflowershow.com

SANTA ANA: Floral Park Home & Garden Tour April 25-26, 2026, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Main entrance at the corner of Victoria Dr. and Santa Clara
Santa Ana, CA
$45-50, floralparkhometour.com

LAGUNA BEACH:  Gate and Garden Walking Tour May 2, 2026, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Laguna Beach County Water District
306 3rd Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
$65-87.21, lagunabeachgardenclub.org
A self guided walking tour of secret gardens offers not only a unique opportunity to stroll through private gardens but also a views of heritage trees, quirky topiary and splendid views. Your ticket includes admittance to the eight gardens described in your tour brochure, round trip shuttle bus transportation from the registration area to the tour route, refreshments and a raffle

ORANGE COUNTY - LONG BEACH: Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour May 2-3, 2026, 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

HEALDSBURG: Perfume Rose Harvest May 2-17, 2026
Cost: $  russian-river-rose.com
Russian River Rose Company
1685 Magnolia Drive
Healdsburg, California 95448
First 3 weekends in May visit California's only perfume rose fields. Specially selected roses from Bulgaria, France and Persia planted, en masse, for the production of rose water and rose oil.

MARYSVILLE - YUBA CITY: American Association of University Women Garden Tour May 2, 2026, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
$, 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.

CONTRA COSTA: Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour May 2, 2026 Bayside Gardens | May 3, 2026 Inland Gardens, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  A collection of 40 Alameda County and Contra Costa County gardens designed and installed by owners or professionals. Tour includes gardens in Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, El Cerrito, Fremont, Hayward Oakland, Piedmont, Pinole, San Leandro, San Pablo, Alamo, Clayton, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, San Ramon, Walnut Creek. Free, bringingbackthenatives.net Free, bringingbackthenatives.net

CAMARILLO: Livingston - Camarillo Garden Tour May 3, 2026, 12-4 p.m.
$30, lmvna.org/gardentour/
Five fabulous gardens, art, boutique, music, raffle, refreshments and more!  The annual tour includes amazing gardens.

DANVILLE: Association of University Women Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Garden Tour May 8-9, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Self-guided stroll through five private gardens in Danville and Alamo. It's Mother’s Day Weekend - bring your Mom or a Friend for the 24th annual Garden Tour.  $45-50, daw-ca.aauw.net 

GILROY: Impressions Home and Garden Tour and Boutique May 8-9, 2026, 10 a.m. check ins begin.
$, 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
$40, 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

SACRAMENTO: East Sacramento Garden Tour May 9-10, 2026
$25-30, eastsacgardentour.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) Wine Garden 

ENCINITAS: Mother's Day Weekend Art, Garden & Studio Tour May 9-10, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$, 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.

LOOMIS: UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Mother's Day Garden Tour Sunday, May 10, 2026, 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.

NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Harbor Home & Garden Tour May 14, 2026, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
$125-135, eventbrite.com
 Annual Newport Beach Garden Tour of private gardens in Newport Beach each feature an artist painting in the garden throughout the day. The ticket price also includes a light lunch and other exciting opportunities.

LA JOLLA: Secret Garden Tour May 16, 2026 
780 Prospect
San Diego, CA
$50-up, lajollahistory.org
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. The Secret Garden Boutique is open free to the public for shopping.

SAN CLEMENTE: San Clemente Garden Club Garden Tour May 16, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Self-guided tour of five amazing gardens in San Clemente.
$40, $50 day of, sanclementegardenclub.com
Gardens are not wheelchair accessible and event is not suitable for children.

BEVERLY HILLS: Friends of Robinson Garden Tour and Floral Fantasia Extravaganza May 16, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (to be confirmed)
1008 Elden Way
Beverly Hills, CA
$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.

SAN FRANCISCO: Friends of Noe Valley  Garden Tour  May 16, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 
$, friendsofnoevalley.com
Tour has eight to ten private gardens --  theme is Slow Sanchez Street and the surrounding blocks.

GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA CITY, PENN VALLEY: Sierra Foothills Spring Garden Tour May 16-17, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$, 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, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$, rossmoorwomansclub.org
Annual Garden Tour and Outdoor Living, a self-guided tour of 5-6 gardens.

FORT BRAGG: Art in the Garden August 1-2, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mendocino Coast Botanic Garden
18220 North Highway 1
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
$, gardenbythesea.org
Mendocino Coast Botanic Garden blossoms with not only the beautiful flowers and trees that call this spot home but the sounds of music, artwork from 50 artists, craft brews, wines, and foods for sale. Attendance supports the non-profit garden and offers guests a perfect summertime experience along the Mendocino coast.

Past Tours or To Be Announced

ESPARTO: Capay Valley Mother's Day Farm and Garden Tour   2026 tba
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.

CLAYTON: Clayton Gardens Tour 2026 TBA, claytonhistory.org
See 5 beautiful gardens and help support Clayton Historical Society.

SONOMA-MARIN: Eco Friendly Garden Tour 
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.

LOS ANGELES: Leimert Park Garden Tour  next tour takes place in May 2027 - check back again
Garden Tour Hub
4305 Degnan Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
$, leimertparkgardentour.com
Self-guided  features 10 private residents.

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