Hi Uli, You should add UC Berkeley Botanical Garden to your list. They have some plant houses that contain wonderful warm, cool and dry plants in addition to the outstanding collection of outdoor areas devoted to geographical areas around the globe. Different than Strybing and worthwhile visiting. In San Francisco is a beautiful nursery called Flora Grubb Gardens that is worth a visit to see the creative designs using mediterranean climate plants such as succulents, cacti, shrubs from Australia, South Africa and more. Many books and art pieces as well. If you are a rose fan, San Jose has the Heritage Rose Garden with over 3500 different varieties of roses on display, organized by rose families and labeled with name, origin and date. Mid April should have a spectacular bloom on display. Unfortunately, the spring bulbs are in full bloom right now and will likely be mostly done in April. Cheers, Bracey San Jose -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Uli Urban Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 4:24 PM To: Pacifib Bulb Society messages Subject: [pbs] California Spring Dear All, I will come to California from April 3rd to April 16th to see the spring flowers, some gardens and nurseries. My interests are bulbs, yes, of course, but much more varied than "just" them and can perhaps best be subsumed under the term 'conservatory plants' . Can anybody of you recommend places (both nature and nursery or garden) that are particularly interesting? Huntington and Strybing are already "booked". It may be off topic, so please e-mail me privately if you feel it is off topic. Arriving in Los Angeles and Leaving from San Francisco I hope to see some beautiful scenery. I heard of a place in Los Angeles called Xotix-Tropico but could not find any information on the web. Does anybody know this place and can help me out with adress and telephone number? With many thanks and greetings from Germany. We had the first spring day today..... at last...... after a terrible killing winter.... Uli