San Francisco orchids - Orchid Board

twillamae · #1 10-22-2012, 12:46 AM

Going to San Francisco area soon. Can anyone recommend nice orchid places in the area?

WhiteRabbit · #2 10-22-2012, 08:35 PM

There's Golden Gate Orchids. I know there's another a bit outside SF, the name is eluding me.

twillamae · #3 10-22-2012, 09:46 PM

Thank you sonya---if you think of the other one---will you add it?

Cym Ladye · #4 10-23-2012, 03:23 PM

It all depends on what genera you are looking for. Golden Gate Orchids in SF is excellent for many genera. Brookside Orchids down the Peninsula near Palo Alto has most genera and is also open to the public. Top Hat Orchids north of Oakland is good for Cymbidiums. I believe all have websites.

Enjoy your stay and happy shopping,

Cym Ladye

Orchidreamer · #5 10-23-2012, 04:21 PM

I went to SF the past summer and I stopped at Golden Gate Orchids -- had a great time! They had both species and hybrids -- I'm more into species so I came home with 8 species and 1 hybrid (yes, carrying them on the plane across the country was fun).

JaneEyre · #6 10-23-2012, 05:03 PM

Keep in mind that several nurseries mentioned are by appointment only. You may get lucky just by showing up, but best to call them first.

AnonYMouse · #7 10-24-2012, 08:49 PM

The biggest and IMO best orchid place closed 15 or so years ago, Rod McLellan/Acres of Orchids (anyone else old enough to remember them?)

There is the Flower Mart. Last time I was there (about 3 years ago), there were a few orchid vendors. A couple of them had varied stock but the rest were mass produced imported NoIDs.

lightseeker01 · #8 10-24-2012, 09:09 PM

I was fortunate enough to be part of a guided tour through Rod McClellans in 1999. Talk about flasks! I think Taiwan Sugar owns them now and they are strictly wholesale. Full of super nice people.

Cym Ladye · #9 10-25-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightseeker01

..... Taiwan Sugar owns them now and they are strictly wholesale. Full of super nice people.

I understand the San Francisco property is now all housing! It marked the passing of a piece of orchid history when they sold out. The land became more valuable than the business there and the family lost interest in continuing.

The Salinas property and greenhouses were bought by Taiwan Sugar as you said, and remain wholesale.

Cym Ladye

lightseeker01 · #10 10-25-2012, 01:09 PM

I toured their facilities in San Mateo, I believe. They had pictures on the wall showing the acres of greenhouses they once had in South San Francisco. You are absolutely right, Cym Ladye, they said the land became too valuable and expensive for agricultural pursuits.