Recent Activity Photos
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
December 2025 - Robin's Restaurant Cambria Luncheon
The Newcomers Garden Group enjoyed their annual Holiday Luncheon at Robins Garden Restaurant in Cambria.  Seventeen members enjoyed cocktails and a lovely lunch with conversation before our decorative plant exchange.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
October 2025 - Los Osos Garden Tour - Elfin Forest
New Member Brunch & Board Meeting 
October 2025
Pismo Walking Group
July 2025
Pismo Beach walking group at north end (Shell Beach) under a low tide cave.
S036 Exploring Central Coast Gardens
July 2025 - San Luis Obispo Mission
We toured the Old Mission San Luis Obispo and gardens for our July excursion.  Our docent Will, shared some interesting history of the Mission and sister missions throughout California from San Diego to San Francisco. As a new docent to the Mission, he was able to answer most of our questions, and appreciated information contributed by some in our group. 
The rose gardens were in full bloom… breathtaking!
S036 Exploring Central Coast Gardens
June 2025 - Talley Farms Tour
Our Five Cities Garden Group enjoyed the Talley Farm tour in Arroyo Grande in mid June, where we learned the process of farming and the farm box program. 
Andrea was a wonderful guide, taking the time to answer all of our questions and explaining all the facets and methods of farming at Talley.  
This tour was one of our most educational and impressive with 22 attending!  
S036 Exploring Central Coast Gardens
May 2025 - Garden Tour of the Santa Ynez Botanical Gardens in Buellton
Our nature walk through the Santa Ynez Botanical Gardens was led by our docent Karis, who gave us a little history along the way while identifying plants and their purpose.  If you are down that way between now thru December plan to stop by for a self-guided tour.  Karis reminded us of the fall colors that are spectacular, especially the Sycamore trees with their bright yellow and orange colors. 
S036 Exploring Central Coast Gardens
April 2025 -  Garden Tour of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Leaning Pines Arboretum
The docent tour included the five Mediterranean gardens found around the world.
The Gardens at Leaning Pine Arboretum focus primarily on the world's five Mediterranean climate regions: Australia, California, Chile, the Mediterranean basin, and South Africa. Additionally, there is an Entry garden, a New Zealand garden, a Dwarf and Unusual Conifer garden, a Formal garden, a Primitive garden, and a Palm and Aloe garden. Featuring a varied assortment of trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants, each garden is unique while continuing the cohesive experience of the entire arboretum.
S036 Exploring Central Coast Gardens
March 2025 - Point San Luis Lighthouse
For the Newcomers Garden Group March 26th tour, we visited the Point San Luis Lighthouse in Avila Beach for an afternoon of history and dramatic views of the coastline.      
Our tour guide, Jonathan shared some of the history of the Lighthouse. We learned that it was founded in 1890 and added to the National Registry in 1991.                                                                                                                                   
S036 Exploring Central Coast Gardens
February 2025 - Seashell Wreath Workshop
We enjoyed Seashell Wreath making for our February outing instead of touring.
There were 12 of us around Annette Robert’s dining room table, each of us designing a unique wreath out of sea-related materials - seashells, driftwood, seaglass, stones, moss netting, ribbon & bows and the like.
After a fun morning, we enjoyed lunch at the Ventana Grille in Shell Beach for a delicious lunch and lively conversation.
S058 - Finders Keepers
December 2024 - Holiday Potluck Luncheon
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
December 2024 - Holiday Luncheon
The Newcomers Garden Group enjoyed their annual December Holiday Lunch at the Sycamore Mineral Springs Gardens of Avila Restaurant, in Avila canyon.
Fourteen members enjoyed lunch and conversation before a plant exchange.
Plans for our 2025 tours were briefly discussed in anticipation of the January Planning committee meeting.
Thank you to Kayla, our friendly server, who was wonderful taking photos in between our lunch orders and added to our fun afternoon of merriment.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
November 2024 - Botanical Gardens
Our group of ten enjoyed touring the Botanical Gardens at El Chorro Regional Park in SLO in November, led by Gaye Peltzman and assisted by Ed Peltzman, volunteers at the Gardens. Gaye, spoke about the history of the Gardens and various ongoing projects that make the Mediterranean gardens what they are today.  
We learned about the five Mediterranean regions: Australia, Chile, South Africa, California and lands around the Mediterranean Sea and the hundreds of species of succulents, salvias, rock roses, manzanitas, pomegranates, fig, olive, buckeye and a gigantic Cork Oak growing in those regions.
After our tour we enjoyed lunch at Petra, a local Mediterranean Restaurant in SLO, of course!
Visit the SLOBG.com for current and future events at the Botanical Gardens. 
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
September 2024 - Chapman Estate Tour
What a glorious day it was in Shell Beach at the Chapman Estate. Our docent, Christopher was fantastic and very entertaining with all the history and information he provided.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
June 2024
Valerie & John McGill graciously invited us to visit their lush tropical gardens and enjoy lunch on the patios. We all brought our picnic baskets with a dish to share, while Valerie provided iced tea and lemonade, and a special strawberry shortcake dessert. Yummy!
Valerie gave us a little history of their garden and all the work that went into creating their little bit of paradise, while John took our group photo below.  Their gardens were featured in the Grover Beach Spring Garden Tour in May 2024.
Before heading home we visited an inspiring Community Garden just around the corner, next to Ramona Park. Sandy, the curator in charge of renting plots, gave us a tour and history of the gardens.
S058 - Finders Keepers
May 2024 - Los Olivos
A fun day of lunch and shopping in Los Olivos.
Pismo Beach Walkers
April 2024
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
April 2024 - Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
What a beautiful morning we enjoyed Wednesday on the Bluffs Trail at the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve!  It was such fun sharing this inspiring walk with you.
Spring New Member Brunch
S079 Women Dine Too
S036 Exploring Central Coast Gardens
February 2024 - Seven Sisters Garden Tour
The Garden Group visited the Garden of the Seven Sisters in late February as their gardens were beginning to pop into Spring.
Gary Lawson, our docent, gave us the history of the gardens before our tour, meandering along garden paths to learn about fire safety in the garden, curb appeal, California Native and Rain gardens, Fruit Orchards, Plant Propagation, Compost and more.  Gary took the time to answer our questions and identify many of the plants.

Free garden workshops are held the 3rd Saturday of every month with educational gardening topics.  To learn more about Seven Sisters and their events, visit www.ucanr.edu

S063 - Beach Walk, Thursdays
December 2023 - Pismo Beach

S058 - Finders Keepers
December 2023 - Christmas Potluck & Cookie Exchange                                                                                                                           We had a yummy potluck lunch at Lisa's lovely home & topped it off with a fun cookie exchange!

S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
December 2023 - Garden Group Holiday Luncheon at Vista in Pismo Beach
Newcomers Anniversary Luncheon
October 2023 - Madonna Inn
S059 - Ladies Wine & Dine
October 2023 - Sea Venture
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
October 2023 - Spyglass Seaside Tour
It was a spectacular October day in Shell Beach at Annette's seaside garden villa.  
Thank you all for attending this fun event! The weather was a sparkler, conversation lively and lunch at the Lido topped off a wonderful day with our garden friends.
Thank you Annette and Ed Roberts for opening your lovely home and gardens to our group of 18.
October 2023 New Member Brunch
S070 - Toes in the Sand
S059 - Ladies Wine & Dine
Gina's
S074 - Tables of 8
Heritage Park Concert
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
August 2023 - Tiber Canyon Ranch
We all enjoyed learning about Tiber Canyon Ranch, the struggles and rewards of all the hard work for the end result.
We enjoyed olive oil and balsamic tastings and learning more about the olives and oils and how to use them.

S036  - Exploring Central Coast Gardens                                                                                                                                         June 2023 - Cambria Gardens
What a glorious day we enjoyed touring the gardens in Cambria.  Our first stop at The Garden Shed was such fun, meandering thru a flowing maze of little individual shops all creatively woven together, with exquisite little patios, gardens, nature…
The fabulous gardens of the Cambria Nursery & Florist was next on our tour list. Everytime we visit it seems like a new adventure.
After our tour we ventured over to the Cambria Pines Lodge & Restaurant for a lovely leisurely lunch in the gardens. 
Our garden friends included Kathi Flores, Bev Brown, Celeste Speier, Toni Loayza, Stella Palomo, Linda and Jack Blake and Rita Hanley. 
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
May 2023 - Dallidet Adobe & Gardens
On a sunny morning in May, the Garden Group enjoyed a private tour of the Dallidet Adobe Gardens with docent, Dave Hannings.  The gardens are nestled under towering Coastal Redwoods and 130-year-old avocado trees; we viewed the colorful flower gardens, vegetables, and herbs that the Dallidet family would have grown back in the 1860’s. www.historycenterslo.org.  
After the tour we enjoyed lunch at the Big Sky Cafe in downtown SLO
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
April 2023 - Kathy Cinawalt's Garden
Ten of us enjoyed Kathy Cinawalt’s lovely gardens yesterday.  She was kind enough to spend time answering our questions about her garden, identifying plants and giving us some garden tips. Thank you Kathy!  
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
December 2022 - Holiday Luncheon
It was a sparkling day in Shell Beach for our annual Holiday Luncheon, held at the Lido in the Dolphin Bay resort. 
During our lunch ideas were discussed for next year's tours and some of our members expressed interest in opening their gardens for a tour. 
We had some fun after lunch with our plant exchange and learning about the plants we had selected for our garden or patio.
Happy Holidays to all and looking forward to more garden fun in 2023!

Enjoying the fun were Jose & Toni Loayza, Kathi Flores, Pat & Bob Allison, Celeste Speier, Bev Brown, Gaye & Ed Peltzman, Anne Lednicer and Sandra Mason.  
Annette Roberts was also present but not included in the photo since she had to leave early.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
September 2022 - Oak Haven Gardens
S059 - Ladies Wine & Dine
September 2022 - Vista Restaurant in Pismo Beach
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
July 2022 - Gardens of Los Osos Tour
The Garden Group enjoyed a yummy brunch at the Beerwood Tavern in Los Osos before touring two spectacular gardens in the area.
Homeowners Carol Mauer and Margarete Schmidt opened their lovely gardens for a private tour,  featured in last spring's AAUW Garden Tours of Morro Bay/Los Osos.
Our gracious hosts spent time answering our questions and identifying most of the plants in their gardens. It was truly an inspiring afternoon.  Thank you, Carol and Margarete!
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
June 2022 - Garden Art Workshop
We had a fun morning creating garden art and little bird houses for our feathered friends. After a creative morning we were all ready for a wonderful salad bar lunch! And a treat from Toni - chocolate covered strawberries and Kathi’s cranberry walnut cookies to enjoy for dessert with Marsha’s lemonade and iced tea.Thank you again Marsha and Harlan for hosting our garden group workshop.  
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
May 2022 - Sculpterra Winery
The Garden Group enjoyed a May tour in Paso Robles at the Sculpterra Winery gardens and spectacular sculptures.  The photo of the background includes some of the animal sculptures among the colorful rose gardens.  Joining the tour: Tom & Shasta Brander, Anne Lednicer, Elise Carraway, Liz Wilkes, Pat & Jim Keeney.  Kathi Flores, photographer, coordinated the morning tour. We then drove down the road to Cass Winery for a wonderful lunch and wine tasting in the gardens and vineyards.
S059 - Ladies Wine & Dine
April 2022 - Ventana Grill
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
April 2022 - Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
Our early April tour included eight of us on a sparkling morning walk along the boardwalk bluffs of Moonstone Beach, just north of Cambria. 

We began our tour where the trail intersects at Windsor St. continuing north to Leffingwell Landing.  On our return we stopped at the Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill patio to enjoy  lunch with fantastic views of the coast.

Before heading to our car, some of us took a side tour to enjoy the gardens at the Cambria Shores Inn across the street.  
S026 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
October 2021 - Cambria Nursery
The weather was outstanding, the Cambria Nursery was magical with the herbal gardens, a Tea House with parasols hanging from the ceiling, plants, flowers and succulents at every turn, and the gift shop with a white hearse driven by skeletons in anticipation of Halloween!

We enjoyed all the scarecrows as we walked around the town before our luncheon at Robin's, relaxing in their garden patio.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
September 2021 - Our Garden Group enjoyed a fun day with friends at several See Canyon apple farms.
Our adventure began visiting the Gopher Glen Apple Farm with apple and pear tasting in the patio ...lots of shopping opportunities included locally grown apples, pears, nectarines, plums, cider, and more!

We then visited the See Canyon Apple Farm but were disappointed that they didn't offer tastings due to COVID concerns.

We then made the decision to visit one more farm that we found off of See Canyon - SLO Creek farms on Monte Rd., before heading to lunch in Shell Beach.
        S026 - Corkscrews
         August 2021 - Corkscrews at Annette & Ed Roberts' Cliffside Home in Shell Beach
         A great time was had by all. The weather was a little foggy, but cozy with the fire pits.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
June 2021 - Bobbye & Kim Thompson's Whimsical Garden of Los Osos
We were then treated to the Thompson's colorful backyard gardens that felt like we had fallen into Alice's Wonderland!  
Bobbye shared stories of her unique gardens and art while her husband Kim treated us to a tour of his workshop where most of the “art” is magically created.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
January 2020 - Flower Arranging Workshop
We met at Nancy Cooley's Wildwood Ranch Clubhouse, a perfect a place for our workshop.  We all brought flowers, greenery, oasis, a vase and clippers.  Nancy began by showing us step-by-step how to design something special. Then, keeping in mind what we had just learned, we began designing our own floral design.  The photos below will show the fruits of our labor.  And each arrangement was unique to everyone’s personality.
S059 - Ladies Wine & Dine
January 2020 - Dinner at Marisol at the Cliffs
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
December 2019 - Holiday Luncheon at The Lido at Dolphin Bay
We enjoyed a Holiday luncheon at The Lido at Dolphin Bay Resort in Shell Beach, followed by a plant exchange.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
November 2019 - See Canyon Apple Farms Excursion
A beautiful day at two See Canyon Apple Farms. Tastings of a variety of apples, pears, cider, almond brittle, honey and more at Gopher Glen Apple Farm and the See Canyon Fruit Farm, with a picnic in the bridal gardens.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
August 2019 - Tour of Chapman Estate
What a sparkling day we had at the Chapman Estate in Shell Beach. A docent-guided tour provided the history of the Estate and the gardens; the Begonia House was spectacular with an array of color from floor to ceiling; huge Dalias surrounded the Estate's Courtyard and the Koi Pond under it's gazebo provided a place to sit and relax on a warm summer day by the sea.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
April 2019 - Wildflower Tour/Shell Creek Road
A beautiful day with a few white billowy clouds and the sun shining down on a carpet of gold, lavender, yellow, blue and white wildflowers.

                    March 2019 - New Member Tea
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens
February 2019 - Cal Poly Arboretum Tour
We learned about the Arboretum's plants, the history and future plans.
S036 - Exploring Central Coast Gardens 
January 2019 - Sculpture Gardens & Winery 
We traveled to Paso Robles to visit Sculptura Gardens and Winery.  We discovered the many wonderful bronze and granite sculptures throughout the gardens and vineyards.  After our tour we enjoyed wine tasting and shopping in Sculptura’s beautiful tasting room.