Garden Tour FAQs
How long is the tour and what does it entail?
How should I prepare for the tour?
Are there discounts on tickets for kids or seniors?
When will I receive my tickets?
What properties are on the tour this year?
How can I become a volunteer and what does that entail?
How can I become a sponsor for the event?
What/ when is the Plein Air Event and Wet Paint Reception?
When is the 2008 Tour?
The 2008 Big Sur Hidden Gardens Tour will be on Saturday, June 21st, 2008.
How long is the tour and what does it entail?
The tour lasts from 10am to 4pm and if you'd like to enjoy all of the properties we recommend that you plan on coming for the entire time. The tour is a self-guided driving tour throughout the Big Sur area. Attendees will receive their tickets and information in the mail approximately three weeks before the event, including a map and instructions. Each garden will have volunteers and docents to guide you and there are many area restaurants where you can enjoy lunch.
How should I prepare for the tour?
Here are a few tips for enjoying the tour:
- Please carpool. There is limited parking and Highway 1 becomes congested on tour day - carpooling substantially improves the experience for everyone.
- There are many great restaurants in the area open for lunch, and they often become over-crowded. Consider eating your lunch before noon or after two to beat the rush, or pack a picnic!
- Don't forget your tickets! Keep your tickets and information in a safe place after you receive them in the mail and be sure to bring them with you.
I'm coming in from out of town. Where can I stay?
After ordering your tickets, you will receive discount codes to a couple Big Sur hotels we recommend. You can also check out the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce website for a full list of places to stay in the area.
Are there discounts on tickets for kids or seniors?
There are no discounts on ticket prices for kids or seniors - all tickets are $60. Kids six or under however, may come along for free. Proceeds from ticket sales support arts and enrichment programs for the children and families of Big Sur, including the Children's Garden at Captain Cooper School.
When will I receive my tickets?
You can expect to receive your tickets in the mail approximately three weeks prior to the event. If you haven't received your tickets by June 15th, please call us at 831-667-1530.
What properties are on the tour this year?
As the 2008 tour will be a milestone 10 year anniversary tour, it will feature some of the "best of the best" of Big Sur's many magical hidden gardens. Approximately eight gardens will be on the tour. The properties chosen for this year will be announced in May.
How can I become a volunteer and what does that entail?
Volunteers are needed from 9:30am until 4:30pm on the day of the tour (June 21st) for both full day and half-day shifts. All volunteers receive lunch and free admission to the gardens. Each year, more than sixty volunteers make this event a premier event on the Central California coast. If you are interested or would like more information, please e-mail hgtour@bigsurarts.org or call us at 831-667-1530. We would love to have you join us!
How can I become a sponsor for the event?
We have several levels of event sponsorship available with accompanying sponsor benefits, including advertising and exposure to hundreds of garden aficionados from Los Angeles to San Francisco and beyond. For a sponsor packet and further details, please contact us at karenb@bigsurarts.org or 831-667-1530.
What/ when is the Plein Air Wet Paint Reception?
For the three days leading up to the tour, and on the day of the tour, more than forty area artists will be painting "en plein air" in the gardens you will visit on the tour. Immediately following the tour, a "Wet Paint" reception will be held for tour attendees where the artists will showcase their work and you can enjoy art, refreshments, live music and conversation. The artwork will be available for sale at the reception, and proceeds benefit the Big Sur Arts Initiative. You will receive further details about the event with your tickets in the mail prior to the tour.
Artists: Register now for the Plein Air event. Registration deadline is June 6.
Tour Facts and Figures
- Between 350 and 375 tickets are sold each year.
- The event takes place for one full day each June and is a self-guided driving tour throughout the Big Sur area.
- More than 20 businesses sponsor the event annually.
- More than 60 volunteers help with the event each year.
- The event is the the largest BSAI fundraiser of the year, generating more than $30,000 for arts and enrichment programming for the children of Big Sur.
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