Community Gardens in San Diego County
Most community gardens are grass-roots efforts created by neighborhoods or individuals who feel that their community is enhanced when neighbors come together to grow food. Other gardens are facilitated by the cities and towns in which they reside. Regardless, every community garden is a labor of love that bring folks together to create beauty and delicious food.
Most gardens on this list are full and there is a waiting list to get in. What this means is that there is a growing demand (sorry!) for more. If you're starting one and want to be added to this list, fill out the Community Garden Survey below. The list is maintained by the Master Gardeners Association and is updated here periodically.
Quick links to:
Resources for Starting a Community Garden
Links to articles about Community Gardening
Get your community garden listed here
Community Gardens in San Diego County
Educational and Non-profit Gardens
For-profit Farms & Gardens with Community Outreach
Resources for Starting a Community Garden
Victory Garden San Diego, VGSD is a collaborative effort of several local gardening, food and community groups working together to encourage and help people in our community grow food closer to where they eat. VGSD partners provide educational support opportunities for people to be successful gardeners. To find out the latest on this project's development, click here.
(San Diego) Community Farms & Gardens Their mission is simple: to grow community farms and gardens. They are a one-stop resource for all things related to urban gardening and growing, performing outreach, leading tours, hosting or tabling at events, working with city leaders on policies that effect urban agriculture, and collaborating with a variety of like-minded organizations in the San Diego Region.
City of San Diego Community Garden Ordinance (download .pdf file)
Links to articles about Community Gardening
The Incredible, Edible Front Lawn, Earthview's campaign to plant visible public properties with food, Time, July 1, 2008
Community Gardens: Growing Food Brings People Together. Article from Common Dreams Newsletter on the nationwide resurgence of Community Gardens.
San Francisco Firm Harvests Potential of Unused Land, article from the San Francisco Chronicle about growing food in one's yard. SFGate, June 23, 2008.
Lettuce on the White House Lawn, editorial by Ellen Goodman about converting public spaces to food production, from the International Herald Tribune (New York Times), July 4, 2008.
Get your community garden listed here
Do you have a community garden you would like listed, or
is the information we have below inacurrate?
Please click the link below and complete the Community Garden Survey. This list is maintained by the Master Gardeners Association.
Click here for the Community Garden Survey
List of Community Gardens in San Diego County
Last updated on November 14, 2008. This list is courtesy of Judy Jacoby and the San Diego Master Gardeners Association.
San Diego: Balboa Park Edible Landscape
Contact: Julie Osborn, 619.298.6845; email:
Location: 6th Ave. and Quince, Bankers Hill 92103
Description: Edible landscape, no individual plots, currently forming and accepting members. link to their site
San Diego: Beyond the Garden
Contact: Angie Gonzales; 619.269.4803; email:
Location: Encanto
Description: Community and educational garden at a licensed Child Family Day Care Home. Participant residents of the home, children and families of day care and known community volunteers. Visitors welcome by appointment only.
San Diego: Friends Center Peace Garden
Contact: Ava Torre-Bueno;, email:
Location: 3850 Westgate Place, San Diego 92105
Description: Project of the Church of the Brethren, the San Diego Friends Meeting, the Peace Resource Center and the American Friends Service Committee; volunteers needed; all produce will go to feed the homeless; garden will also be an education and demonstration site for organic gardening, composting, the connection between eating locally and peace, etc. Volunteers/visitors/knowledge sharing welcome.
San Diego: Golden Hill Community Garden
Contact: Golden Hill Community Development Corporation, 619.696.9992,
1235 28 St. San Diego 92102
Location: In Balboa Park @ 2440 Russ Boulevard, San Diego 92102
Description: 29 plots, annual fee $30. Currently has a waiting list
San Diego: Juniper-Front Community Garden
Contact:
Location: 2260 Front Street, San Diego 92101
Description: 34 plots, equal opportunity, long waiting list
San Diego: New Roots Community Farm
Contact: Amy Lint, International Rescue Committee (619) 641-7510 ext. 244, email:
Location: 54th Avenue & Chollas Parkway, San Diego 92105
Description: Community garden on city owned lot. 89 plots, various sizes, sliding scale fees. Open to City Heights residents, plots available. Open to the public. Educational. Volunteers welcome
San Diego: Ocean Beach Community Garden
Contact: Margaret Young (619) 224-5198; email:
Location: Collier Park, NW corner, 2351 Soto Street, San Diego 92107
Description: 51 plots, 20’ x 10’ semi-annual fee $45. No eligibility restrictions, currently full. Open to the public Sat and Sun noon to 4 pm.
San Diego: The Orchard Community Garden
Contact: Kandi Lee (619) 223-3520; email:
Location: 4040 Hancock Street, San Diego 92110
Description: 70 plots, Orchard Apartment residents only (seniors 55 and over). Residents and invited guests and volunteers welcome.
San Diego: TLC Community Giving Garden
Contact: Carol Morse 858-688-2949; email:
Location: Tierrasanta Lutheran Church 11240 Claremont Mesa Blvd. San Diego 92124
Description: new ministry of a church to grow community-produced organic fruits and vegetables, then to donate a percentage of the proceeds to local outreach organization in need. There will also be a children’s garden area. Shared gardens and 63 individual plots, 3.5’x 12’ $100.00/year. Plots available. Eligibility: open. Educational programs, Donations warmly accepted. Volunteer Day: 3rd Saturday of the month 9 am- 1pm.
San Diego: Pacific Beach Community Garden
Contact: Gloria Olsen (858) 273-5935; email:
Location: Shasta & Roosevelt Streets, San Diego 92109
Description: 52 plots, 19x29, $50 fee, plots available, open to the public.
San Diego: Tijuana River Valley Community Garden
Contact: Diana Hussey(619) 562-0096; email:
Location: Corner of Sunset Avenue & Hollister Street, San Diego 92154
Description: 136 plots, 30’ x 30’ annual fee $70, applications available at Ranger Station 2310 Hollister St., or at Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, 332 S. Juniper St., Suite 110, Escondido 92025; phone: 760-745-2061, has a waiting list. Open to the public. link to their site
San Diego: Vera House Community Garden
Contact: David Baron email:
Location: Corner of 34th Street & N. Mountain View Drive, San Diego 92116
Description: 13 plots, annual fee $60 Organic gardening only. Preference to Normal Heights residents, currently a waiting list. link to their site
San Diego: Carlsbad Community Garden
Contact: Connie Kessler (760) 434-2824; email:
Location: 750 Laguna Drive (north of City Hall), Carlsbad 92008
Description: 48 plots, annual fee $60.00; currently a waiting list; open to the public by appointment
El Cajon: Magnolia School Community Garden
Contact: Terri Bennett (619) 889-8801; email:
Location: 650 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon 92021
Description: 36 plots, annual fee $50 plus $25 returnable cleanup fee; plots available
Escondido: Escondido Community Garden
Contact: Beth Mercurio (760) 751-2275
Location: West Side Centre City Pkwy, between El North Pkwy & Mission Ave. 92026
Description: 80 plots, annual fee $35, semi-annual fee $20, plus deposit
Escondido: Proyecto Cosecha Nuestra
Contact: Hormedes “Norma” Albino (760) 739-9273
Location: 1540 South Escondido Boulevard, Escondido 92025
Description: 41 plots, $10 donation, open to Escondido residents, currently a waiting list, open to the public, best time to visit is in the evening after work. Seeking bilingual volunteers.
Escondido: Senior Gardeners’ Club
Contact: Charles Ambruster (858) 484-2253
Location: West side Centre City Pkwy, between El Norte Pkwy & Mission Ave. 92026
Description: 26 plots, annual fee $10, Open to seniors 55 and older, open to the public by appointment.
Fallbrook: Fallbrook Community Garden
Contact: Judy Mitchell (760) 728-1332; email:
Location: Alturas Road and Ali Lane
Description: Open to residents of Coast Apartments, no fee to garden. On-site composting for residents also.
Oceanside: Ivey Ranch Community Garden
Contact: Tonya Danielly (760) 722-4839; email:
Location: Ivey Ranch Park Association; 110 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside 92057
Description: 36 plots, 300 sq ft each $60/yr, currently a waiting list, no eligibility requirements. link to their site
Poway: Poway Valley Community Garden
Contact: Lisa Kirchner (858) 716-9323;
Location: On Vista View Dr. behind Richardson Pontiac on Poway Road, 92064
Description: 12 plots, annual fee $60
San Marcos: San Marcos Community Garden
Fulton House Community Garden
Contact: Krystal Mainprize 760.744.9000
Location: 1263 Fulton Road, San Marcos 92069
Description: 30 plots, annual fee $40 1st year, $20 annually thereafter, San Marcos residents have priority, currently a waiting list;
Santee: Edgemoor Senior Garden
Contact: Paul Marus 619.562.8015; email:
Location: 9065 Edgemoor Drive, Santee 92071
Description: 28 individual plots and shared gardens, seniors only, annual fee $20. Routinely open to the public.
Educational and Non-profit Gardens
San Diego: San Diego City College Urban Farm
Contact: Paul Maschka; email:
Location: City College campus, just north of corner of C St. & 14th Street, downtown SD
Description: Urban Farming Program, 1/3 acre. Visitors and volunteers welcome. We are at the farm T, Th & Sat , 8 am to noon. link to their website; link to their blog
San Diego: Terra Nova Garden at Morse High School
Contact: email:
Location: 6905 Skyline Drive, San Diego 92114
Description: Garden hosts periodic community garden volunteer days
link to their site
San Diego: Crawford High School Garden
Contact: Ellee Igoe 619.641.7510, ext. 263 email:
Location: 4191 Colts Way, San Diego 92115
Description: Educational garden for Crawford High School Students. Donations, technical assistance and volunteers wanted. Open for special events.
San Diego: WorldBeat Center Children’s Organic Ethnobotany Garden
Contact: 619.230.1190; email
Location: 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego 92101
Description: Collaborates with community organizations to provide nutrition/gardening programs. link to their site
El Cajon: The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College
Contact: (619) 660-0614; email:
Location: 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West El Cajon 92019
Description: Public is welcome for self-guided tours, special programs, events and classes. Admission is free, some classes require a fee. Apply to become a volunteer or docent. link to their site
Julian: Camp Stevens
Contact: Ryan Wanamaker 760.765.0028; email:
Location: Camp Stevens is located 2 miles east of Julian on Hwy 78
Description: Programs include spring and fall organic gardening workshops, retreats, volunteer opportunities and children’s camps. Open to the public by appointment.
link to their site
National City: The Stein Family Farm
Contact: Chris Johnson 619.477.4113
Location: 1808 F Avenue, National City 91950
Description: Historical Museum with farmhouse, barn and exhibits. Also serves as a community, educational & shared garden. Plot number varies with interest. Open Saturdays from 10 -4 pm during Daylight Savings Time and 10 to 2 pm during Standard Time and for special events. Gardening and harvesting is available to whoever shows up. Admission is free, tours can be reserved for a fee, and volunteers are welcome.
link to their site
Pauma Valley: Tierra Miguel Farm
Contact: 760.742.4213; email:
Location: 14910 Pauma Valley Drive, Pauma Valley 92061
Description: Biodynamic organic farm open to volunteers 1st Saturday of every month and for classes and special events
For-profit Farms and Gardens
with community outreach
San Diego: City Farmers Nursery
Contact: Bill Tall 619.284.6358
Location: 4832 Home Avenue (at Euclid Ave) San Diego 92105
Description: Offers classes and gardening advice; community gardening supporter, Open to having volunteers work in the garden. link to their site
San Diego: Be Wise Ranch
Contact: Bill Brammer 858.756.3088; email:
Location: 9018 Artesian Rd., San Diego 92127
Description: Yearly farm tour for CSA members. link to their site
San Diego: Seabreeze Organic Farm
Contact: Stephenie Caughlin 858.481.0209; email:
Location: 3909 Arroyo Sorrento Rd., San Diego 92130
Description: CSA, Tours/visits arranged by appointment; priority to CSA shareholders,
link to their site
Flinn Springs: Summers Past Farms
Contact: 619.390.1523; email:
Location: 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs 92021
link to their site
Lakeside: Victoria’s Gardens
Contact: (619) 390-9571
Location: 13120 Willow Road, Lakeside 92040
Description: link to their site
Escondido: La Milpa Organica
Contact: Barry Logan 760.839.1111; email:
Location: 9928 Protea Gardens Road, Escondido 92026
Description: Open to the public for special events. link to their site
Valley Center: Bates Nut Farm
Contact: 760.749.3333 or 1.800.642.0348; email:
Location: 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center 92082
Description: link to their site
Hemet: Sage Mountain Farm
Contact: Phil Noble 951.767.1016; email:
Location: Hemet
Description: CSA; link to their site
Get your community garden listed here
Do you have a community garden you would like listed, or
is the information we have below inacurrate?
Please click the link below and complete the Community Garden Survey. This list is maintained by the Master Gardeners Association.