Kids can run. Grandparents can admire flowers at San Diego’s many flower outings!
Happy Spring!
After 5 inches of rain fell in just the first 3 months of 2017, San Diegans deserve to get our blue skies back!
San Diego park rangers have announced that the amazing winter rains will bring us March flowers like we haven’t seen in years. If you’re looking for something fun to do with a senior loved one this month, many spots around San Diego offer wheelchair accessible paths through gardens that will surely put a shine on the day. We focused mostly on those with nearby restrooms and refreshments as well. Remember sun hats, sun screen and water!
Sunday Drive to Borrego Springs
While “kids these days” may grumble at a 2-hour car trip, seniors tend to appreciate the Sunday drive, particularly when undertaken with a loved one. The best plan is to head out to the Borrego Desert Nature Center at 652 Palm Canyon Drive and get some guidance from there. Park rangers claim, “germination is excellent in most areas around Borrego Springs and much of the desert is now covered in a thin, green mat like we have not seen for many years.” Dyeweed, Desert Lilies and Fishhook will all put on a show throughout the area. Don’t forget the amazing sculptures of Galleta Meadows commissioned by the Avery paper products family fortune. Since the flowers are in many spots along the roads, they’re easy to see from the car. The desert ground is hard and flat, but navigable for seniors not in wheelchairs. People drive right up to the many sculptures.
The Borrego Springs flowers are supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event this year!
Balboa Park
Beyond finding just one parking space to enjoy several gardens, advantages include, abundant disability parking, wheelchair-friendly, convenient restrooms and three gardens to see. Balboa Park has its own botanical program and arborists so you will see plenty of flowers between the museums and official garden.
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden Rose-lovers get to see the rose varieties that proved too difficult to raise without professional tending. The 130 varieties include Black Magic, Kristin, and Mariotta. The flat terrain makes it wheelchair-friendly, but, remember, the garden is on the east side of Park Blvd. You can park on the west side and cross on the footbridge (also wheelchair friendly.)
Can you hit all of San Diego’s hottest flower spots this spring?
San Diego Botanical Building Alongside its standard plants, the building’s many rare and 
gorgeous orchids will be blooming in the spring.
Japanese Friendship Garden With upper and lower gardens, the path winding through the koi pond, bonsai and wisteria arbor is not as wheelchair friendly. It does have docent lead tours, however, adding some background to the beautiful scenery.
Carlsbad Flower Fields
We put this one further down because the dirt paths make this destination treacherous for seniors navigating the rows of red, yellow, orange and white Ranunculus. There is, however a wagon ride pulled by an antique tractor that carries families from one end of the field to the other. We suspect this requires climbing a few ladder or stairs. Call first to get details at: (760) 431-0352. You can also visit the Carlsbad flower fields’ website.
Four miles of trails wind desert palms, tropical rainforests, groves of rare bamboo, vivid desert landscapes, succulent gardens and colorful fields of native flowers. This one does go up and down, so pushing a wheelchair could get challenging at points.
Rancho Bernardo Inn
This San Diego historic landmark has several gardens, all accessible. The North Lawn blooms with an abundance of white garden roses every spring. Fountains and trees hung with white twinkle lights and rustic lanterns add to the ambiance. The Veranda restaurant has music almost nightly and reasonably priced dishes. If you feel like splurging, the Inn’s newly remodeled Avant offers world-class dishes in a sumptuous setting. Find it at 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego 92128.
Marston House Museum & Gardens
Is your parent or other senior loved one a traditionalist? Try the Marston House Museum and Gardens located at 3525 7th Avenue, near Upas and 6th. The house, built in 1905, is one of the first in the Arts and Crafts movement. It’s five acres of carefully manicured gardens showcase both exotic and native flowers.
These Flowers Are So Pretty, We Turned this Post into a Movie!
Love 2 Live Caregivers Cherish Outings with San Diego Senior Clients
If you would like to arrange a caregiver to accompany your senior loved one to a flower-filled spring destination, don’t hesitate to call Love 2 Live Care Services at 619-291-4663. We’re happy to provide caregiver services for as few as eight hours per week to round the clock, 24/7. Follow us on Facebook and sign up for our email newsletter to stay current on senior care options and community happenings throughout San Diego. You can even schedule a free, no-obligation in-home assessment.