Join Garden and Nature Tours and The Minnesota State Horticultural Society in San Francisco to explore the sites and experience the sounds of one of our most vibrant and exciting cities. From the Presidio to Golden Gate Park and Nob Hill, the city by the bay offers diverse opportunities for us to explore exceptional gardens, iconic landmarks, and innovative cuisine.

Highlights of San Francisco include walking Tour-Painted Ladies, Lombardy Street, Ghiardelli Chocolate Experience, and The Presidio, including Crissy Field Lagoon Restoration and Tunnel Tops Park. A full day in Golden Gate Park takes us to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, and Japanese Tea Garden. We plan a tour of Alcatraz Island, and a visit to innovative retailer Flora Grubb Gardens.

Further afield, we visit Filoli, the backdrop for the 80’s TV show Dynasty, the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden and Winchester Mystery House. Private gardens always top the list of favorite destinations. We travel north from San Francisco to Sonoma, with stops at Muir Woods, Western Hills Garden, and the Sonoma (Botanical Garden (formerly Quarry Hill). Diner opportunities include Repris Vineyard Tasting and Cave Tour and dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch.

Finally, we are off to Berkeley to visit Harland Hand Memorial Garden, The Dry Garden Nursery, Marcia Donahue Garden, University of California Botanic Garden/Tilden Park, and Ruth Bancroft Garden. We hope to host our farewell dinner at Alice Water’s Chez Panisse! You won’t want to miss this exciting visit to a west coast garden paradise.