As you're making your way along the coast, don't forget to make a pit stop or two and have a little fun.
Don't look down. If you’re a Hitchcock fan, don't miss the bell tower in San Juan Batista's old Spanish mission. It was featured in Vertigo! And if you head to the back of the mission, you can stand on the edge of the San Andreas fault.
Stop for sea lions. In Moss Landing, make a pit stop to see the sea lions near the docks in Moss Landing. While you're there, make a stop at Sea Harvest for the fresh seafood and observation lounge.
Harbor cruise. Ventura Harbor, home to the Channel Islands National Park headquarters, is a nice stop along the route with abundant shopping, dining and nightlife options.
Eat, drink and relax. You've got to eat, so keep these local favorite spots on your list. They all come highly recommended by CAST participants!
Grower's Pub in Salinas. With a historic atmosphere, this spot features a classic menu and the original 1940's bar. Try the Angus beef and local vintages.
Padaro Beach Grille in Carpinteria. Casual food and a beach atmosphere help this tour favorite live up to its tagline, ‘Where food and paradise collide.’
Freedom Meat Lockers and Sausage Company in Freedom. These guys boast that their steaks are so good they don't need steak sauce.
Lilian's Italian Kitchen in Santa Cruz. The menu is inspired by the owners' grandmother so expect traditional Sicilian recipes combined with some other Italian influences.
Northern Trials
Syngenta Flowers
Featuring ThinkPlants
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2280 Hecker Pass Hwy. Gilroy, California 95020
Contact: syngentameetings.us@one10marketing.com (800) 427-1896
Danziger at Headstart Nursery
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 4860 Monterey Rd. Gilroy, California 95020
Contact: Dana Fernandez dana-fer@danziger.co.il (616) 899-2197
Benary and Benary+
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 195 Paulsen Rd. Watsonville, California 95076
Contact: Jen Calhoun jcalhoun@benary.com
Pacific Plug & Liner
Includes Berger, Flamingo Holland, Terra Nova Nurseries, Quality Cuttings Team, and branded plant collections Encore, Southern Living Plant Collection and Sunset Western Garden Collection
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 750 Casserly Rd. Watsonville, California 95076
Contact: April Herring-Murray packtrials@ppandl.net (831) 768-6300
Suncrest Nurseries
Featuring Cohen Nurseries, Hishtil Nurseries, Jaldety Nursery, Kamel Plastic Pots and Nir Nurseries
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 400 Casserly Rd. Watsonville, California 95076
Contact: Susan Liou info@globalplantsource.com (718) 715-6369
Speedling
Featuring Ameriseed, Hem Genetics, Lambert, Plant Source International and Vista Farms
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2640 San Juan Hwy. San Juan Bautista, California 95045
Contact: Frank Yaun fyaun@speedling.com (813) 431-0615
American Takii
Featuring HilverdaFlorist
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 301 Natividad Rd. Salinas, California 93906
Contact: Julia Paul springtrials@takii.com (831) 443-4901
Sakata Ornamentals
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 103 Boronda Rd. Salinas, California 93908
Contact: Jiana Escobar jescobar@sakata.com
Floricultura
Featuring ABZ Seeds, Beekenkamp and Monrovia
March 28 – 31 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 25425 Esperanza Rd. Salinas, California 93908
Contact: Petra Dubbel PDubbel@beekenkamp.nl (612) 227-2072
Central Trials
Dümmen Orange at Avila Beach Resort
March 29 - 31 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. By appointment only 6464 Ana Bay Rd. Avila Beach, California 93424
Contact: CAST@dummenorange.com
Windmill Nursery
Featuring Dramm, J. Berry Nursery, Kientzler, Oasis Growth Solutions and Skagit Gardens
March 28 – 31 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 925 West Hwy. 246 Buellton, California 93427
Contact: Marc Englert Marc@florep.com (805) 850-8839
Seaside Gardens
Featuring PlantHaven, Suntory Flowers, Vivero International
Pop-Up Exhibitors: Aris Green Leaf, Pacific Plug & Liner, Skagit Horticulture, Heritage Greenhouse Products, Southern Living Program, Sunset Program
March 28 – 31 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 3700 Via Real Carpinteria, California 93013
Contact: new.plants@planthaven.com (805) 569-9179
Ball Horticultural Company
Featuring Ball FloraPlant, Ball Ingenuity, Burpee, Darwin Perennials, Kieft Seed, PanAmerican Seed, Morel Diffusion, Selecta One and Wave Petunias
March 28 - 31 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 335 South Briggs Rd. Santa Paula, California 93060
Contact: Janessa Bender springtrials@ballhort.com (630) 588-3187
Green Fuse Botanicals
Includes One Floral, Schoneveld, Westhoff/PAC and TO Plastics
March 28 – April 1 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 15245 Telegraph Rd. Santa Paula, California 93060
Contact: Jann Turner jturner@green-fuse.com (805) 933-5599
Explore the February 2020 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
Latest from Garden Center
- Plant Development Services, Inc. unveils plant varieties debuting in 2025
- Promo kit available to celebrate first National Wave Day on May 3
- Applications now open for American Floral Endowment graduate scholarships
- Endless Summer Hydrangeas celebrates 20 years with community plantings
- Invest in silver
- Garden Center magazine announces dates for 2025 Garden Center Conference & Expo
- USDA launches $2 billion in aid for floriculture growers
- Seed packaging for Ball Seed moves into new building
