Where Native Plants Thrive, We Thrive
When native plants flourish, they create gardens full of life where everything is connected. Songbirds return, butterflies flutter by, and the landscape feels alive in a way that ordinary gardens do not. Surrounded by this living richness, all garden dwellers find calmer, greener spaces, and neighborhoods become cooler, healthier, and more resilient. That liveliness engages our senses, restores our well-being, and deepens our connection to the natural world.
San Diego is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, yet this richness is under pressure. The 2026 San Diego Native Garden Tour will feature private gardens in the San Diego City region south of I-8 and west of SR-125, highlighting how native gardens help protect this unique biodiversity and inspire others to create their own.
We invite you to join and support the San Diego Native Garden Tour — as a visitor, volunteer, sponsor, or artist — and help grow the places where native plants thrive — and where we all thrive together.
Like the Tour Theme?
Buy matching t-shirts here!
Tickets on Sale!
Regular Price Tickets: $45 – Available through April 12th, 2026.
Free Entry for children aged 17 and under!
Access tickets: $15 – Limited availability. We want the Garden Tour to be as accessible as possible. A limited number of $15 access tickets are available for anyone for whom cost would otherwise be a barrier. There is no application or verification process—this is based on trust. Please use this option only if needed, so it remains available to others. To request a discount code, please use the email link below.
Questions? Email gardentour@cnpssd.org
Tour Details & FAQs
ABOUT THE GARDENS
This year’s Tour highlights gardens across the City of San Diego, grouped by region for each day:
Saturday, April 11, 9 AM–4 PM: Southern San Diego gardens
Sunday, April 12, 9 AM–4 PM: Northern San Diego gardens
TICKETS, REFUNDS & TRANSFERS
Tickets are non-refundable. If you cannot attend, you are welcome to transfer your ticket to a friend or family member.
Last-minute tickets: If the Tour is not sold out, same-day tickets may be available at Will Call gardens or the CNPS San Diego Bookstore.
HOW THE TOUR WORKS
Self-guided: Explore at your own pace during Tour hours.
Most visitors can comfortably see 5–8 gardens per day. Use the Tour booklet to choose your stops.
Before Tour weekend, you will receive a Google map link and a Tour Booklet PDF to help plan your route.
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility varies by garden. Full or partial disabled access is noted in the Tour booklet.
RULES & FACILITIES
Pets are not allowed. Service animals only (with clear identification).
No restrooms at Tour gardens. Plan to use nearby public facilities (restaurants, parks, coffee shops, gas stations) before or between visits.
TOUR ETIQUETTE
These are private residences—thank you for being a respectful guest.
Please arrive no earlier than 9 AM and plan to leave by 4 PM.
Leave only footprints: do not collect seeds, take cuttings, or disturb wildlife.
Please supervise children closely at all times.
Questions are welcome—hosts may not be able to answer everything, and volunteers can help.
ARTIST VENDORS AT THE TOUR
We are delighted to share this year’s Tour artists with you.
Select gardens on the 2026 Native Garden Tour will feature artists whose work is inspired by native plants, wildlife, and the natural world. From pottery, jewelry, textiles, watercolor, garden art, and even botanical baked goods, these artists add another dimension to the tour experience.
Inspired by native plants, Ainara Calahorra Romillo creates thoughtfully upcycled, one-of-a-kind clothing and watercolor art.
muxucreations.com
Sat – #6 Sun – #27
Amanda Smith, certified naturalist and artist, creates fine art giclée prints and colorful nature stickers celebrating the beauty of the natural world.
@laisnotadesert
Sat – #13 Sun – #21
Andrea Wagman-Christian’s one-of-a-kind “Tree and Window Jewelry” is handcrafted to honor nature, inviting sun and wind into homes and gardens.
etsy.com/shop/NatureBlingStudio
Sat – #4 Sun – #35
Food artist Blaire Ehret creates colorful, native flower–themed cupcakes and cookies that celebrate native plants and other botanicals..
@and__everything__nice
Sat – #15 Sun – #26
Celebrating California, Debbie Prince brings her acrylic paintings, photography, and graphic art into the home.
imageprince.co
Sat – #5 Sun – #9
Potter Kelly Duffek blends function and whimsy in ceramic planters, fairy houses, garden stakes, mugs, vases, and more.
@kduffek_makes
Sat – #5
Inspired by Southern California native plants, Lesley Randall creates T-shirts, watercolor prints, and natural wood earrings made from sustainably trimmed or salvaged native wood.
Sun – #17
Lise Diamond Devine brings watercolor flowers and landscapes to life along with her cheerful floral painted rocks.
Sun – #33
MJ Brovold creates artful metal garden stakes featuring silhouettes of native birds, including crows, ravens, roadrunners, quail, owls, and hawks.
deldiosglasshouse.com
Sat – #4 Sun – #19
Ceramic artist Nancy Jacobson creates pressed and glazed native plant images and flowers on ceramic tiles as artistic home accents.
Sat – #11
Poway-based artist Nicole Dornsife specializes in wildlife and botanical illustration, with California flora and fauna inspired prints, originals, stickers, and bandanas featured by the California Wolf Center and Volcan Mountain Foundation.
thornwolf.com
Sat – #1
Using yarn dyed with native plants, members of the Palomar Handweavers and Spinners Guild demonstrate spinning and weaving techniques and offer handmade textiles for sale.
@palomarweavers
Sat – #6 Sun – #19
Blending music and clay, Rowshan Dowlatabadi creates handmade ceramic pieces including animal flutes, bird fountains, owl whistles, vases, and drums.
@rowshan.art
Sat – #15
San Van’s unique pottery combines both function and nature into jars, mugs, plates, vases and floral pots.
@sanvan.ceramics,
Sat – #26
Using native plant material pressed into copper and silver, Sara Avelar creates handmade jewelry with delicate leaf and plant impressions.
@chulamaiz_jewelry
Sat – #1 Sun – #28
Garden Tour Volunteer Sign-Up
Sign-Up as Volunteer
for the Native Garden Tour
All volunteer levels welcome. Join the team that keeps the Tour welcoming and running smoothly, with Tour-weekend roles and a few pre-tour roles. Volunteers receive a free ticket and volunteer training (choose one):
Thu, March 19 (9–12) or Sun, March 22 (1–4).
Why The Garden Tour Matters
Now in its 11th year, the Garden Tour is one of San Diego County’s most anticipated celebrations of native plants. Each year, it highlights a different part of the county, with gardens ranging from modest front yards to expansive properties — all with at least 60% California native plants. This variety ensures there is something for everyone, no matter the size, style, or stage of their own garden.
Welcoming more than 1,000 guests annually, the tour is among our chapter’s most impactful outreach efforts. Its influence extends far beyond the weekend, not only through the new native plantings it inspires, but also through the visibility created by publicity, social media, and community sharing.
This community event is made possible by hosts, volunteers, sponsors, and artists, working together to advance the CNPS San Diego mission: celebrating and protecting California’s native plants, and showing how gardening with natives creates healthier, more sustainable communities.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
WHITE SAGE SPONSORS
Diane Berol
CALIFORNIA BUCKWHEAT SPONSORS
CHUPAROSA SPONSORS
Susan Krzywicki
Greg and Andrea Moser
NARROWLEAF MILKWEED SPONSORS
Suzanne Sheridan
Kilian-Rae Family
