Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber: Visiting Half Moon Bay: Visiting Half Moon Bay: Tour Des Fleurs

Saturday, July 12, 2008 2008 Tour Package Options The Half Moon Bay Coastside is eager to show off our glorious flowers and plants once again at our annual nursery tour. Saturday, July 12 will mark the Seventeenth Annual Tour des Fleurs. A very special vegetable and flower garden, calla lilies, violas, oceans of roses, organic field greens, California native plants surrounded by streams and waterfalls, a working dairy farm, acres of succulent berries, a small tranquil winery, and an abundance of potted plants of every variety await you on this year’s Tour des Fleurs. Most of these commercial growers are not ordinarily open to the public, and those who will share a few “behind the scenes” secrets of their operations. Some will also share their colorful and fascinating family history and how it shaped their businesses. Each tour package takes you to three different nurseries. You drive yourself to each nursery in your package, and you enjoy a one hour guided tour. There are six different tour packages to choose from, and each tour package of three nurseries costs $20.00. A whole day of floriculture for just $20.00! Make a weekend of it! There are over 25 lodging facilities on the Coast and a wonderful variety of restaurants. Tour Half Moon Bay and the Coast, stroll our beaches, hike our trails, shop our Main Street . . . we're an unspoiled place that would love to spoil you! For further information, please call the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau at (650) 726-8380 x100.

2008 Tour Locations include:
	Bay City Flower Company – This third generation family owned business is one of the largest Hydrangea growers & also one of the most efficient commercial potted plant growers in the nation. They grow for high end commercial merchants such as Smith-Hawkins, Calyx Flowers and Red Envelope. You can also fine their potted flowers and plants under the label Hana Bay Flower in upscale garden centers.
	Chaine d’Or Vineyards – One of the tiny vineyard and wineries located at the head of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Woodside. The Chaine d’Or (“Chain of Gold”) was the name given to this region more than 100 years ago, by the legendary vintners Paul Masson and Martin Ray, California winemakers who knew that the golden chain of hillsides between Woodside in the north, and Los Gatos in the south was capable of producing world class wines.
	Daylight Farms Nursery - John Muller, 2002 Farmer of the Year with 30 years experience, will tour you through fields of dahlias, herbs and produce. This year we will tour fields near his home across Pilarcitos Creek. John is a wealth of information and has represented American farmers on numerous governmental committees and water boards.
	E Plant World – A new Coastside hot house filled with every orchid imaginable.
	Green Oaks Creek Farm & Retreat – Owner Stephanie Jennings will take you on a guided tour of her working organic farm which offers educational programs for children and adults.
	Harley Farms Goat Dairy – Harley Farms Goat Dairy, the home of 300 Alpine goats produces fresh award winning cheese daily in what is now the last remaining dairy farm in San Mateo Co.
	Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo – At this stunning certified organic farm in Pescadero, tour, touch and taste while learning about organic crop production. Begun in 1980, this original family farm site launched what has now become the nation’s largest grower/shipper of fine organic culinary herbs and edible flowers.
	La Nebbia Winery – Owner Kendyl Kellog will take you on a guided tour of this private winery, learn some valued tips to grape growing, and sample wines with a unique edible flower pairing.
	Nurserymen's Exchange - Founded by Carl and Virginia Pearlstein more than 60 years ago, Nurserymen's Exchange has grown into one of America's leading Wholesale Home and Garden companies. Wholesale only, their BloomRite® brand includes blooming plants, tropical plants and foliage, bulbs and packaged shrubs. They also carry a complete line of home and garden designs.
	H. Pastorino & Son Company - Owner Hank Pastorino will guide you through hot houses, fields of flowers, and a unique on-site pottery shop.
	Phipps Ranch – This ranch, renowned for its succulent berries and homemade jams, is nestled along side a river in Pescadero.
	T & E Pastorino owner Stan Pastorino will give you expert advice while touring acres of hot houses of award-winning roses and cut flowers.
	Yerba Buena Nursery - noted for native plants, ferns, a meandering babbling brook, and a turn of the century historic house, is the pride of Kathy Crane, owner and tour guide.

2008 Tour Package Options:
	Tour A 10:00am Bay City Flower Co. - Hydrangeas & High-End Commercial Potted Plants 12:00pm Green Oaks Creek Farm - Organic Vegetables & Herbs 2:00pm Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo - Organic Culinary Herbs & Edible Flowers
	Tour B 10:00am Oku Roses & Flowers - Roses & Cut Flowers 12:00pm Harley Farms Goat Dairy - Goat Cheese Dairy Farm 2:00pm Phipps Ranch - Berries, Gardens, & Potted Plants
	Tour C 10:00am Nurserymen’s Exchange - Wholesale Home & Garden 12:00pm Daylight Farms Nursery - Dahlias, Herbs, & Produce 2:00pm La Nebbia Winery - Coastal Winery
	Tour D 10:00am Yerba Buena Nursery - Native Plants & Ferns 12:00pm Skyline Chestnuts - Chestnut Orchard 2:00pm Chaine d’Or Vineyards - Vineyard & Winery
	Tour E 10:00am E Plant World - Orchids 12:00pm H. Pastorino & Son Co. - Cut Flowers, Pumpkins, & Potted Plants 2:30pm Harley Farms Goat Dairy - Goat Cheese Dairy Farm
	Tour F 10:00am Daylight Farms Nursery - Dahlias, Herbs, & Produce 12:00pm T & E Pastorino - Roses & Cut Flowers 2:00pm H. Pastorino & Son Co. - Cut Flowers, Pumpkins, & Potted Plants
No time or nursery substitutions are permitted.

For further information, please call the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau at (650) 726-8380 x100.

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