Oakland is at one end of a bridge across from San Francisco. It is also a coastal city. I have not tried bolanderi, but this year I am buying some. I have grown other North American species and treat them as I treat all large seeds: sow them in damp seedless mix in a small ziplock bag. Then I put them in a biscuit tin in a cool spot, like my unheated bedroom or a frost-free greenhouse. (as opposed to things like trumpets which I leave lying around in the light on a kitchen counter.) I count them as "germinated" if there has been some activity, like an emerged radicle or a teeny bulb. I have had "American hybrids" germinate in one month (from March to April.) With wild-collected species, I have had these times: columbianum - 5 months from January kelleyanum and kelloggii - 2 months from April vollmeri - 5 or 6 months from March washingtonianum - 11 months from January So they vary quite a bit. Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada maritime zone 8, cool Mediterranean climate mild rainy winters, mild dry summers