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So your home or garden is in desperate need of … something. But what? Find inspiration and ideas aplenty at this year’s crop of springtime tours. And if you just want to look, you can feel good doing that. These annual tours raise money for charitable works throughout the Bay Area.
NAGLEE PARK VINTAGE HOME TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 21
Who benefits: Preservation of the San Jose Woman’s Club building.
What you’ll see: Six architecturally significant homes in this historic San Jose neighborhood, including a Monterey Revival with original matching garage; a 1930s Spanish Colonial; a home in the rarely seen Dutch Colonial Revival style; a 1925 Spanish Eclectic cottage; a 1927 Italian Renaissance style home; and a 10-room, 1932 English Tudor home designed by Binder Curtis.
Extras: Treasure boutique and historical talk at one of the featured homes. Refreshments and a formal tea ($25) will be served in the garden of Bishop McGrath’s home. Purchase tea tickets by April 17.
Details: $30 in advance from www.sjwomansclub.org or the Willow Glen Home and Garden store, 1123 Lincoln Ave., or $35 on tour day at 595 S. 14th St.
GOING NATIVE GARDEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22
Sponsors: California Native Plant Society and Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County.
What you’ll see:
Scores of native-plant gardens on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. April 21 will be devoted to gardens from Hillsborough south to Sunnyvale; April 22 will focus on the gardens from Sunnyvale south through San Jose.
Extras: Sponsoring nurseries will hold plant sales at some locations. Check the website map (with photos for all locations) for specifics.
Details: Free, but registration is required. Online registrations will be accepted until 3 p.m. April 22, or until tour capacity is reached. www.goingnativegardentour.org.
STANFORD HISTORIC HOUSE GARDEN TOUR
When: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 22
Who benefits: Stanford Historical Society’s Historic Houses Project.
What you’ll see: Four homes in the Lower San Juan neighborhood: a 1925 Birge Clark-designed Spanish eclectic home with a garden wall made of 1906 earthquake rubble; a 1926 Charles K. Sumner design that features a “hobbit door” and a Spanish citrus orchard; Stanford’s only building by architect Theodore W. Lenzen, a 1929 shingled Tudor; and a 1929 Henry C. Collins-designed Tudor home with an elaborate model railroad layout.
Extras: Shuttle provided for tour-goers from Parking Structure 6 at 560 Wilbur Way.
Details: Tickets, $30. Mail check to Stanford Historical Society, c/o Sweeney, P.O. Box 19290, Stanford, CA 94309, or buy on the day of the tour at Wilbur Way. A new book about the homes of the Lower San Juan may be purchased onsite for $25. http://histsoc.stanford.edu.
HEART OF THE HOME TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28
Who benefits: Children’s Support League charities serving at-risk youth in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
What you’ll see: Five Piedmont and Oakland hills homes that represent a century of architectural design, including an Asian fusion-themed Arts Crafts home; a Swiss-style “chalet” with a waterfall; a historic estate; a contemporary home; and a retreat with hotel-style amenities. And for the first time the tour will feature a Designer Showcase.
Extras: Boutique, lunch, live jazz and raffle at the Piedmont Community Center, 711 Highland Ave.
Details: Tickets — $45 tour only, $55 with lunch — available online at www.WeHelpKids.org and from local businesses. A VIP package for $85 includes breakfast program, early tour admission, lunch and special raffle.
GAMBLE GARDEN SPRING TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28
Who benefits: The nonprofit Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, a nonprofit community horticultural foundation.
What you’ll see: Five private gardens in Palo Alto designed by Rosalind Creasy, Katsy Swan, Betty Lee, Paula Blanchard and Arterra Landscape Architects. Features include outdoor entertaining areas, edible gardens and play areas.
Extras: The tour circles back to Gamble Garden, where there will be a home and garden boutique, plant sale, live music, plus organic lunches by Chef Jesse Cool.
Details: Tour tickets, $35 in advance, $45 day of tour at Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. Entrance to the Gamble boutique and gardens is free. 650-329-1356; www.gamblegarden.org.
BAY-FRIENDLY GARDEN TOURS
When: Sunday, April 29 (Alameda and Santa Clara counties); Sunday, May 6 (Napa County); and Saturday, May 19 (Marin County).
Sponsors: The Bay-Friendly Landscaping Gardening Coalition, a nonprofit made up of home gardeners, landscape professionals and local governments.
What you’ll see: Nearly 70 diverse gardens in the four counties, from a Fremont “home nursery” to a Palo Alto sculpture garden to a zen landscape in Napa.
Extras: Host gardeners will chat about graywater systems, drought-tolerant gardening and urban orchards.
Details: Fee, $10, covers registration and the guidebook with garden addresses, descriptions and tickets for all three days. Register at www.BayFriendlyGardenTour.org by April 20 for Alameda/Santa Clara county tours, by April 27 for Napa and by May 11 for Marin.
THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 5
Who benefits: All proceeds from this Moraga Junior Women’s Club tour will benefit STAND, a family violence prevention agency in Contra Costa County.
What you’ll see: Six gardens in Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda with interesting features, from outdoor kitchens to unusual play/recreation ideas. One garden has a pond and a beach.
Extras: Pre-order a gourmet box lunch for $10.
Details: Tickets, $30, may be purchased at www.moragajuniors.org, or at Across The Way in Moraga, McDonnell Nursery in Orinda and Orchard Nursery in Lafayette.
WILLOW GLEN HOME TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6
Who benefits: San Jose Day Nursery scholarships for low-income families.
What you’ll see: Six homes, including a vintage Tudor-style cottage; a 1920s home with radiators salvaged from a church; a designer’s art- and mural-filled home; a newly built Spanish Colonial style home with hand-crafted features; and a ranch-style home that combines family heirlooms with contemporary elements.
Extras: Artisan boutique, raffle, wine tasting and box lunches in the expansive, redwood-shaded garden of the sixth home.
Details: Advance tour ($35) and lunch ($13) tickets available online at www.sjdn.org or at local businesses Domus, Grace on the Avenue, Able Printing and Willow Glen Home and Garden. Tour-day tickets and lunch may be purchased for $40 and $15 at 1445 Cherry Ave.
LIFE IN THE WALNUT CREEK GARDEN
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 5
Who benefits: Four charities, lead beneficiary Quincy Lee Foundation (pediatric cancer) is the lead beneficiary, Hospice of the East Bay, the Contra Costa County Guide Dog Raisers and the Urban Farmers.
What you’ll see: Five residential gardens in Walnut Creek designed by John Montgomery Landscape Architects of Alamo.
Extras: Garden decor sale by local artisans, beekeeping and urban farming demonstrations, live music and Cinco de Mayo appetizers by professional chefs.
Details: Pick one of the four charities when ordering your $25 (minimum) advance tickets via online or phone. Hospice, www.jm-la.com; Quincy Lee Foundation, www.quincylee.org; Guide dogs, 925-698-2460; and Farmers, 415-806-7005. Tour-day tickets, $30. For more information, contact Debbie at John Montgomery Landscape Architects, dblumhardt@jm-la.com.
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES GARDEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 6
Sponsor: Kathy Kramer Consulting
What you’ll see: There are 43 pesticide-free, water-conserving gardens in Alameda and Contra Costa counties that contain 60 percent or more native plants and provide wildlife habitat.
Extras: More than 50 free talks will be given throughout the day, and native plants will be sold at many locations. There’s also a list of handicapped-accessible gardens on the website. A companion event, Native Plant Sale Extravaganza, will take place May 5-6 at more than a dozen East Bay locations; find the addresses and times at www.bringingbackthenatives.net/plant-sale.
Details: Free, but registration is required at www.bringingbackthenatives.net. Early sign-ups encouraged; registration will close April 25 or whenever the tour is filled. Participants will receive a garden guide with maps, tickets in the mail.
BERKELEY HERITAGE HOUSE TOUR
When: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 6
Who benefits: Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association
What you’ll see: Several historic homes on the Garber Street Hill, a knoll east of College Avenue where the Claremont and Elmwood neighborhoods meet. Featured on the tour are dwellings in the Mediterranean and Craftsman styles, as well as a half-timbered house and a self-designed architect’s home. Works by Henry H. Gutterson, John Hudson Thomas and others are included; Julia Morgan will be represented by an alteration she designed for one home on the tour.
Extras: Refreshments and illustrated guidebook included.
Details: Tickets, $40, may be ordered online at http://berkeleyheritage.com or by mail.
AAUW GARDEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12
Who benefits: Scholarships, programs of the American Association of University Women’s Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek branch.
What you’ll see: Six gardens in Alamo and Danville.
Extras: Refreshments, raffle. Plus, landscape designers and other experts will be on hand to share advice.
Details: Advance tickets, $30 general and $25 seniors; after May 4, $35 and $30, respectively. Purchase at the East Bay Flower Company in the Danville Livery or by mail with check made out to “AAUW Funds” and SASE to AAUW Garden Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. www.aauw-daw.org/garden/.
GILROY ‘IMPRESSIONS’ HOME AND GARDEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12
Who benefits: Youth programs of the Gilroy Assistance League.
What you’ll see: Four showcase homes in the South Valley with designer touches and extensive gardens or landscaping: a Mediterranean style, a Spanish Colonial Revival, a traditional home design and one that blends traditional and contemporary.
Extras: Boutique, appetizers, no-host wine at the tour’s conclusion.
Details: Tickets are $25 if purchased before May 8, or $30 at the door. Presale tickets will be held at check-in at 1975 Mantelli Drive, Gilroy. 408-706-6235; www.gilroyassistanceleague.org.
SANTA CLARA SPRING GARDEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Who benefits: Sponsored by the Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara and the JW House, this event is a fundraiser for the society’s Harris-Lass Museum and for JW House, a guest house for families of Kaiser patients undergoing treatment.
What you’ll see: Four private residential gardens, plus the recently opened JW Hospitality Center (3850 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, next to Kaiser) and the landscaped grounds at the historic Harris-Lass House Museum (1889 Market St., Santa Clara).
Extras: Craft and garden vendors at both locations, plus the Harris-Lass gift shop will be open with new merchandise for Mother’s Day. Complimentary refreshments at the JW Hospitality Center.
Details: Tickets, $15 advance purchase, $17 day of tour at Harris-Lass or JW House. Children 12 and under free but no strollers. Reservations: 408-248-7897 or 408-241-7311.
AROMAS COUNTRY GARDEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Who benefits: The arts in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, via the nonprofit Aromas Hills Artisans.
What you’ll see: Ten gardens in this tiny town between Watsonville and San Juan Bautista that is reachable from Highway 101 or Highway 1 via Highway 129. The gardens range from simple to drought-tolerant to extensive Tuscan style ones.
Extras: Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Also, look for artisans selling watercolors, stained glass, jewelry, pottery and more.
Details: Tickets, $15 general admission (or two for $25) and $10 seniors, will be available at the Aromas Grange, corner of Rose and Bardue avenues. 831-726-1786; www.aromashillsartisans.org.
PALO ALTO KITCHEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Who benefits: Local nonprofits that serve women and children, and other programs of the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto.
What you’ll see: Five remodeled kitchens with interesting touches: a 1935 home with a backsplash of bricks salvaged from the 1906 earthquake; a Cape Cod Revival with travertine counters and an outdoor kitchen; a family “Starbucks” area in a 1929 English-style house; the “post-industrial”-style kitchen in a 1941 Birge Clark home; and a newly built Spanish Colonial with stained concrete countertops in the kitchen and chickens and a vegetable garden in the backyard.
Details: Tickets may be purchased by sending a check for $30 made out to Woman’s Club/Kitchen Tour and an SASE to: Woman’s Club Kitchen Tour, c/o Julie Jerome, 726 Greer Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. On tour day, buy tickets at 2205 Waverley St. www.womansclubofpaloalto.org.
Extras: Refreshments at every house, plus a raffle.
LAFAYETTE KITCHEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Who benefits: Proceeds from this Lafayette Juniors tour will go to Shelter Inc., SEED (Special Education Enrichment Development Foundation), CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), New Day for Children, and Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.
What you’ll see: Six state-of-the-art kitchens — all new or newly remodeled — in styles ranging from Country Traditional to Sustainable Modern.
Extras: Gourmet box lunches available for $12.
Details: Buy tickets, $40, from a member of the Lafayette Juniors; or at Douglah Designs, 3577 Mt. Diablo Blvd., or Premier Kitchens, 3373 Mt. Diablo Blvd.; or online at www.lafayettejuniors.org.
CLAYTON GARDEN TOUR
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20
Who benefits: Museum, programs of the Clayton Historical Society.
What you’ll see: This 20th anniversary tour will be the historical society’s largest ever, with a look back at 20 memorable gardens in Clayton and Concord. Included are Asian-inspired and Mediterranean-style landscapes, vegetable and herb gardens, railroad gardens, hillside treatments, and yard designs that feature statuary, gazebos, fountains, artwork or historical elements.
Extras: Plant sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May 19 outside Endeavor Hall and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 20 outside the Clayton Museum.
Details: Tickets are priced at a celebratory $20. Purchase in advance (cash or check) at RM Pool, Patio and Gardens, 6780 Marsh Creek Road, or in advance and on tour day at the Historical Museum, 6101 Main St., Clayton. 925-672-0240; www.claytonhistory.org.
HIDDEN GARDENS OF BONNY DOON
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20
Who benefits: All proceeds benefit the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation to support art, music and science programs at Bonny Doon Elementary.
What you’ll see: An eclectic array, including gardens devoted to roses, succulents, vegetables or herbs, plus a variety of garden decor.
Extras: Gourmet lunches by Bonny Doon Catering will be available for purchase.
Details: Tickets are $20 for both days and can be purchased at the PlantWorks, Felton; Scarborough Gardens, Scotts Valley; The Garden Company, westside Santa Cruz; ProBuild, Santa Cruz; or at Bonny Doon Elementary School (1492 Pine Flat Road) on the days of the tour. 831-469-0688.
NILES WILDFLOWER, ART, GARDEN AND QUILT SHOW
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Who benefits: Programs of the Niles Main Street Association.
What you’ll see: Walking/driving tour until 3 p.m. of several gardens in Fremont’s historic Niles district.
Extras: Garden talks, quilt exhibits in town plaza, plant and craft vendors, raffle.
Details: Garden tour tickets, $15, and maps available on Niles Boulevard near Tyme for Tea. 510-742-9868; www.niles.org.
ALAMEDA’S GARDENS GALORE TOUR
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Who benefits: St. Joseph Notre Dame High School and St. Joseph Elementary School.
What you’ll see: Six interesting gardens in the architecturally diverse city of Alameda.
Extras: Boutique of handcrafted items from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 20, plus a May 18 Garden Tour Wine Tasting for an extra fee.
Details: Tickets are $20 if purchased by May 17 at St. Joseph parish, Daisy’s or Thomsen’s Garden Center or by mailing check (payable to St. Joseph Garden Club) to 861 Oak St., Alameda 94501. Tour-day tickets, $25, will be available at the gate to the high school quad, 1011 Chestnut St. Reservations, 510-995-9544; www.alamedagardentour.com.
GARDEN CONSERVANCY OPEN DAYS TOURS
When: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on varying dates: Peninsula (June 2); San Francisco (June 3); Mendocino (June 9-10); South Bay (June 10); Marin County (June 16); and East Bay (July 22)
Who benefits: Preservation projects of the Garden Conservancy.
What you’ll see: On the Peninsula, four private gardens in Atherton, Portola Valley and Palo Alto. In San Francisco, the gardens of Telegraph Hill (start the tour at 241 Greenwich St.). In Mendocino, a dwarf fruit orchard plus more than 300 specimens each of rhododendrons and conifers in a redwood grove. In the South Bay, a bamboo grove, olive orchard and grape vines in Los Gatos and Saratoga. In Marin, a garden of rubber trees and towering palms. And in the East Bay, a whimsical deer-resistant garden, a woodland glade and a sculpture-filled garden.
Extras: Children are allowed on these garden tours, with those under 12 admitted free.
Details: Admission, $5 per garden; no reservations needed. Find full descriptions and starting points online at www.opendaysprogram.org. 1-888-842-2442.
SAN LEANDRO HOME GARDEN TOUR
When: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, June 10
Who benefits: George Mark Children’s House for seriously ill youngsters and their families.
What you’ll see: This 20th annual tour will feature six distinctive homes that have been remodeled and transformed by their owners, plus the gardens.
Extras: A chance to tour the gardens at the George Mark Children’s House.
Details: Tickets, $25, may be purchased in advance at Zocalo Coffee House, 645 Bancroft Ave.; Sabino’s, 1273 MacArthur Blvd.; or Evergreen Nursery, 350 San Leandro Blvd. Tour-day tickets will be available at 381 Breed Ave. www.slhomeandgardentour.com.
Did we miss your tour? E-mail lzavoral@mercurynews.com.
Article source: http://www.mercurynews.com/home-garden/ci_20383167/spring-2012-home-garden-tours
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