Ah, spring … the perfect time to go snooping in other people’s gardens — with permission, of course.

Here’s our annual roundup of Southern California garden tours, and there’s something for everyone here, from native-dominated landscapes to exclusive estates of the rich and famous. So dust off your walking shoes and get inspired.



For the record: This story has been updated to include additional garden tour events.

April 6-7

The 16th Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour is a two-day, self-guided visit through more than 30 private and public landscapes of native plants. Tickets purchased before 11:30 p.m. on March 23 are $30 ($25 for members buying single tickets) or $25 ($20 for members buying two tickets or more). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Children under 16 free. nativeplantgardentour.org


April 7 and 14

Tour the 7,800-square-foot Prisk Native Garden on the grounds of Prisk Elementary School in Long Beach during its annual open house. 1 to 4 p.m. 2375 Fanwood Ave., Long Beach. Free. facebook.com/pg/prisknativegarden/events/

A front yard of native plants in Glendale displays the gardening advocated by the Theodore Payne Foundation during its 2019 garden tour April 6-7. (Sabine Steinmetz/GardenSense)

April 13


West Adams Heritage Assn.’s 2019 Native Gardens Tour showcases 10 private gardens that feature native plants in the yards of historic homes dating from 1904 to the mid-1920s. The self-guided tours are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last tickets sold at 1:30 p.m. at 1651 Virginia Road in Lafayette Square. Tickets $24 if purchased before April 5; $30 after. Members pay less. westadamsheritage.org

The Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society presents California in My Garden, a self-guided tour of 14 gardens that feature California native plants from Brea to San Clemente that feature at least 50% California native plants, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free but registration is necessary to get the tour locations. occnps.org

The Los Angeles chapter of the Assn. of Professional Landscape Designers’ SEE Gardens tour (“Succulent Edible Ethical”) visits eight landscapes in West Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Brentwood, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $60, reduced price for members and students. apldgardens.xyz/OrderTickets

The 2019 Sustainable Garden Tour sponsored by the nonprofit South Pasadena Beautiful features four homes plus the South Pasadena Community Garden. The free tour runs from 2 to 5 p.m. starting at 1028 Magnolia St. in South Pasadena, and includes a plant swap. The group is also hosting a biodynamic wine tasting after the tour to raise money for re-landscaping the local post office. Tickets are $25. southpasbeautiful.org


April 13-14

Visit six private gardens during the annual Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m both days. The flower show and garden fair are 1 to 6 p.m. on April 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 14. Maps and tickets are available at the Elks Lodge, 6166 Brockton Drive, Riverside. $15, children under 16 free with paying adult. riversideflowershow.info

Scandinavian, Japanese and Mediterranean influences around an Engelmann oak tree in Pasadena, part of the Creative Art Group’s Art of the Garden tour April 14. (Jennifer Cheung/Steven Nilsson/EPT Design)

April 14


The Creative Arts Group’s Art of the Garden tour will highlight five private gardens in Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre and San Marino. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 pre-tour or $35 the day of the tour and can be purchased online at creativeartsgroup.org or in person at 108 N. Baldwin Ave. in Sierra Madre.

The Pacific Palisades’ tour features six gardens in areas around Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Brentwood. Noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine. $30 pacpalgardenclub.org

The Claremont Garden Club’s Claremont Eclectic, which tours six Claremont gardens, is designed to give visitors ideas for their own landscapes. 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available online for $20 and include free entry to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden on the day of the event, plus one additional day in May. Pick up your tour brochure and map of the gardens between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the botanic garden, 1500 N. College Ave. claremontgardenclub.org

A shady meadow of native grasses and plants in Irvine is part of the 2019 Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour, which features gardens from Long Beach to San Clemente May 4-5. (Teena Spindler)


April 27-28

The Redlands Horticultural & Improvement Society hosts its 2019 Garden Tour of five private gardens. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets — $15, children 13 and younger free — are available at local businesses or on tour days at 700 Brookside Ave. The annual Uncommon Plant Sale is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 28 only at Redlands Prospect Park, 1352 Prospect Drive. Tickets good both days. redlandsgardenclub.com

Tour homes and gardens in a variety of architectural styles at the Floral Park Home and Garden Tour on North Victoria Drive at West Santa Clara Avenue in North Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; wine tent 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $40, or $35 if purchased in advance. floralparkhometour.com

The Morongo Basin Conservation Assn. 9th Desert-Wise Living Series Landscape Tour tour involves 16 private home gardens as well as the Joshua Tree National Park Nursery, Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center, the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, the Landers post office’s community-created landscape, and the permaculture gardens and grounds of the Harrison House Music, Arts & Ecology. Tickets are available at mbconservation.org for $10 or $5 for association members.


May 3

The Laguna Beach Garden Club’s Gate and Garden Tour starts and ends at Arabella Laguna Garden Guest Cottages, 506 N. Coast Highway, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event also offers free refreshments, painters in several gardens, a raffle of prizes donated by local artists and businesses, and the opportunity to purchase artisanal margaritas and Mexican fare. Tickets $50, or $60 on the day of the tour (if still available). Proceeds support educational school gardens, local scholarships and community projects. lagunabeachgardenclub.org

May 4

The Tustin Area Historical Society’s 23rd Home & Garden Tour takes visitors through homes and gardens in the city’s Old Town, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours begin at the Tustin Presbyterian Church, 225 W. Main St. Tickets are $25 if purchased by May 3, $30 the day of the event. Other activities include an Old Town history walking tour, quilt show, vintage vehicle display and craft show. tustinhistory.com


The lush native landscape around this 1906 West Adams Craftsman bungalow has earned it spots in two garden tours this spring, with the Theodore Payne Foundation April 6-7 and the West Adams Heritage Assn.'s Native Gardens Tour April 13. (Reggie Jones)

May 4-5

The 15th Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour highlights 36 residential gardens from Long Beach to Irvine to San Clemente. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets by donation; proceeds will support the Sheepfold shelter for women and their children in crisis. Tour map available to download in April at heardsgardentour.com

May 5


The Garden Conservancy Open Days Tour: Explore five private gardens in Hancock Park and Los Angeles, open to the public for self-guided tours to benefit the Garden Conservancy. Tickets available at the Marlborough School, 250 S. Rossmore (enter on W. 3rd) between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., gardens open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per garden (children under 12 free) or $40 for a day pass. www.opendaysprogram.org

The 23rd Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Assn.’s Camarillo Garden Tour features art exhibits and demonstrations, live music, refreshments and a garden-themed boutique in addition to a tour of five Camarillo gardens. 12-4 p.m. Tickets are $25 online or available between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. the day of the tour at 400 Rosewood Ave. in Camarillo. Proceeds benefit the association’s Camarillo Hospice program. imvna.org/gardentour/

May 11

The Sherman Library and Gardens’ Newport Beach Garden Tour, the new name for the library’s 23rd fundraising event, includes a light lunch and tours of seven private gardens. Each garden will host an artist at work from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $60, or $50 for members, followed by a reception at Sherman Gardens, 2647 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Shuttle ride to gardens available by reservation for an additional fee of $45. slgardens.org


West Floral Park and Jack Fisher Park Neighborhoods 12th Open Garden Day in North Santa Ana features garden tours in two tree-lined neighborhoods of vintage homes. Event includes garden talks and demonstrations, plus a vintage car show and vendors selling food and garden products. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets are $15, $12.50 per person for eight tickets or more, or $20 the day of the event. Children 12 and under free. Pick up tickets and tour maps at Santa Clara Drive and Westwood Avenue. opengardenday.com

Even the pond is awash in color in this yard on the historic Leimert Park Garden Tour in South Los Angeles on May 18. (Gail Molen)

May 16

The Newport Harbor Home and Garden Tour includes stops at seven homes and gardens in Newport Harbor High School area, lunch and an afternoon reception at Barclay Butera Interiors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets, available online, are $85, or $100 after May 1 (when they are typically sold out). Tickets will not be sold the day of the event. (949) 646-1556. newportharborhometour.com


May 18

Friends of Robinson Gardens presents its 31st Garden Tour and Showcase in Beverly Hills, featuring four private gardens and tours of the Virginia Robinson estate. The tour includes a designer fashion show and sumptuous lunch for what is considered one of the most glamorous (and pricey) garden tours of the season. 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets start at $250. robinsongardens.org

Leimert Park, one of Los Angeles’ most historic neighborhoods, is partnering with the Los Angeles Community Garden Council to hold its biennial self-guided garden tour of 10 private residential gardens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be reserved in advance for $15 at leimertparkgardentour.com or purchased for $20 the day of the event starting at 10 a.m. at the Garden Tour Hub in Community Build’s courtyard in Leimert Park Village, 4305 Degnan Blvd.

The San Clemente Garden Club 2019 Garden Tour features five private coastal gardens in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Tour proceeds support scholarships, school gardens, civic beautification and conservation organizations. Tickets are $30 if purchased by May 17, $40 day of the tour. Tour tickets and maps will be mailed after April 29. sanclementegardenclub.com


jeanette.marantos@latimes.com

@jmarantos