Best viewing spots of Bismarkia Noblis from LA to San Diego?

[VancouverJen]

Hi there. My husband and I are huge palm fans and are hoping to find the best spots to view our favourite palm (bizzie) while we visit California in late Sept 2023. We’ll be in the following areas.. Pasadena, Redlands, Riverside, San Diego and Carlsbad. Any tips with locations of these beautiful palms would be greatly appreciated! 

[Tracy]

6 hours ago, VancouverJen said:

Hi there. My husband and I are huge palm fans and are hoping to find the best spots to view our favourite palm (bizzie) while we visit California in late Sept 2023. We’ll be in the following areas.. Pasadena, Redlands, Riverside, San Diego and Carlsbad. Any tips with locations of these beautiful palms would be greatly appreciated! 

In San Diego, the best place is in Balboa Park. Outside the Conservatory (pictured below from about 5 years ago).  San Diego Zoo is well known for its plantings including palms as much as for its animals.  Definitely worth a visit. 

There are a couple of public plantings in Carlsbad, one on the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive and Roosevelt Street and another further south on Roosevelt in a front yard that has been there for over 20 years now.  I have one in Carlsbad, but it is in a backyard of a rental property, and not really visible from the street with other palms blocking a view of it (photo from the backyard below).

Since you will be in Carlsbad, visit the San Diego Botanical Garden, which is in Encinitas, just a couple of exits on the 5 freeway south of the southwest edge of Carlsbad.  They have a nice selections of palms, as well as many other plants from tropical fruit trees, bamboo, cycads, California natives, and Australian garden area, Aloe/Aloidendron garden and many other things I'm failing to mention. 

If you will be in Pasadena, you will be right next to the Huntington Library and Gardens.  They have spectacular gardens there as well, not to be missed.  The only places I can't speak to are Redlands and Riverside.  Maybe someone else can share knowledge of any in those ares.

[Fusca]

@Tracy pretty much nailed it.  I haven't been there in a few years but I recall seeing several nice Bismarckia in the parking lot outside of the San Diego Zoo but there's a lot of different palms inside the zoo grounds as well.  Balboa Park is right next to the zoo.    There's a small botanical garden at UC Riverside but not many palms as I recall.

Edited August 17, 2023 by Fusca

[Kim]

The Balboa Park Conservatory has been under reconstruction; last I saw it wasn't near completion (June). The area won't be as pretty as in Tracy's photo, but the palms are still there. More at the zoo entrance, as mentioned by Fusca. Huntington would be awesome.

[NorCalWill]

I recommend a visit to the Huntington Library & Botanical Garden in San Marino. They only have one small Bismarkia, but a great collection of other mature palms & cycads. L.A. Arboretum also has some Bismarkia palms. Another place where Bismarkia is becoming popular is Palm Springs. You'll see them as you drive around town. If you can make it out there, definitely take a hike through the Washingtonia filifera forest at Indian Canyon.

[Tracy]

19 hours ago, VancouverJen said:

Hi there. My husband and I are huge palm fans and are hoping to find the best spots to view our favourite palm (bizzie) while we visit California in late Sept 2023. We’ll be in the following areas.. Pasadena, Redlands, Riverside, San Diego and Carlsbad. Any tips with locations of these beautiful palms would be greatly appreciated! 

Not knowing exact dates you will be here i will just add one more possibility.   On September 16, the Palm Society of Southern California (PSSC) has a meeting with one garden already identified which is in Encinitas.  Encinitas is adjacent to Carlsbad which you mention you are visiting.   Details for affiliate associations events like PSSC's will be posted on Palmtalk. Worth considering if you are in the area on the 16th.  I haven't heard yet about the second garden's location but I am sure DoomsDave will elaborate soon.   The events are free and open to nonmembers. 

[VancouverJen]

Thank you to everyone for the great Bismarck viewing tips! We won’t be in California until Sept 23 so unfortunately we’ll miss the meeting.. 

[Tracy]

15 minutes ago, VancouverJen said:

Thank you to everyone for the great Bismarck viewing tips! We won’t be in California until Sept 23 so unfortunately we’ll miss the meeting.. 

Enjoy your stay and happy Palm hunting!

[James B]

My Nextdoor neighbor lol. He has 5 beasts in a row. Shot from my balcony. Tallest probably 17-18 feet tall.

[Josue Diaz]

You'll see them randomly in people's gardens as you drive throughout neighborhoods, as well as some shopping centers. But the suggestions above will put you within arm's reach of Bismarkia in public gardens.