Open Gardens

Celebrate Summer with sunflower Senses in the Garden! This month, our Garden Explorers will embark on a sensory adventure—seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching the vibrant life in our garden. From curious critters to fragrant flowers and juicy fruits, nature will come alive in exciting new ways. Sign up your K–6th grader today for a day full of discovery, fun, and outdoor exploration!

Join us this month for another garden-based cooking adventure! Chefcitos will: harvest from our garden bake garden veggie pizzas blend refreshing summer smoothies & work collaboratively with new friends! Spots fill quickly - register today!

Looking to get the whole family outside, enjoying the sun and exploring the plants? In July we’re offering a Family Gardening Class! From soil to seeds and fruit to harvest, bring the whole family for a hands-on day of learning to grow a garden! Reserve your spot today!

Join us for our monthly Open Gardens and Property Tour! You’ll learn about the history of the property, Olivewood programming, and more! This tour takes place on natural surfaces such as dirt and mulch so please wear appropriate shoes. Tours at 10:15AM & 11:15AM. No registration required.

Our Local Catch Poke Class takes place this Saturday, July 19th, from 3:30pm to 6pm. Emily Miller (@fishfulfuture) and Dr. Simona Augyte from California Sea Grant will be guest instructors to guide you through a recipe from the new cookbook San Diego Seafood: Then & Now (@discovercaseafood). We will be using tuna, opah, or yellowtail, depending on what's available from our fishermen this week, and Dr. Augyte will be blessing us with fresh ogo, an edible seaweed commonly used in traditional poke recipes - which she has been cultivating as part of her work as Aquaculture Specialist for CA Sea Grant (@caseagrant). Come and learn about the unique importance of San Diego seafood while getting hands-on with these special ingredients!

Join us for Day of Play, a FREE, family-friendly celebration of gardening, cooking, and community! This interactive outdoor event features hands-on activities for all ages—dig in the garden, whip up healthy recipes, and explore the natural world together. Hosted by Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center and our incredible community partners, this event is all about learning through play, making healthy choices, and connecting with nature. Don’t miss this day of fun, food, and family—let’s grow healthy together!

Did you know that outdoor play has long-lasting benefits for both children and adults? Join us this month for Talls and Smalls, an outdoor adventure in the garden for ages 2-5 with an accompanying adult! story time a farm-to-table snack a visit to one of our critters & time exploring the garden while tasting and learning together! Spend quality time in nature with your little one while building a love for our environment and adventurous eating habits.

Garden at Dusk Dinner: A Summer Celebration Join us on Friday, August 1, 2025 for an unforgettable evening under the stars at Olivewood Gardens. We're thrilled to welcome back Chefs Charlie Knowles and Manny da Luz and team of bica for our Garden at Dusk Dinner summer event—an intimate outdoor dining experience that blends seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine with community and purpose. Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted meal paired with wine from Oddish Wine. Reserve your seat and support a healthier, more connected community. All proceeds support Olivewood’s free and low-cost community programs centered on food education, environmental stewardship, and advocacy.