The Tijuana River Community Garden, established 2002, has become one of the most active green spaces in the South Bay, offering residents a place to grow food, strengthen community ties, and cultivate a shared connection to the land. The site of the community garden lies in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (TRV), a region that historically hosted agricultural operations, including vegetable farms, dairies, and ranches. Over time, many farms in the valley experienced floods, soil disruption, or were abandoned.
The Tijuana River Community Garden, established 2002, has become one of the most active green spaces in the South Bay, offering residents a place to grow food, strengthen community ties, and cultivate a shared connection to the land. The site of the community garden lies in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (TRV), a region that historically hosted agricultural operations, including vegetable farms, dairies, and ranches. Over time, many farms in the valley experienced floods, soil disruption, or were abandoned.
The commercial success of large-scale agriculture in the valley was severely curtailed by flooding and, most critically, by the ongoing transboundary pollution issue. Beginning in the mid-20th century and accelerating rapidly due to Tijuana’s population growth and inadequate infrastructure, the Tijuana River became a major conduit for raw sewage, industrial waste, and sediment.
2025 brought renewed urgency around environmental issues in the surrounding valley. The region has been affected by a persistent sewage and pollution crisis — runoff and untreated wastewater from across the border entering the valley, leading to toxic contamination in water, soil, and air. As a result — and citing “health and safety of gardeners, farmers and staff,” and “increased flooding and related challenges in recent years” — Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County (RCDGSDC), a non-profit/quasi-governmental organization tasked with environmental conservation projects locally announced it would end its lease and management of the garden in October 2025.
In November 2025, the county selected Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center (OGLC), a nonprofit based in National City, as the garden’s interim operator for up to one year. The appointment of Olivewood Gardens as interim operator provides continuity for now, but long-term viability depends on final negotiations, environmental remediation, and the ability to ensure safe operation.
Located around 27 miles north of downtown San Diego in Encinitas lies the San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG). The property offers a lush escape into a world of diverse plant life and natural beauty. Spanning 37 acres, this vibrant garden showcases over 5,000 plant species across 29 uniquely themed gardens, providing visitors with a global botanical experience.
Planning Your Visit
Location: 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
Hours: Open Wednesday through Monday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day) .
Admission: Adults $18; Seniors, Military, Students $12; Youth (3–17) $10; Children under 3 free; Members enjoy free admission .
Tickets: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak times, to ensure entry .
Accessibility: The garden offers accessible pathways and facilities to accommodate all visitors .
Throughout the year different events are held at the garden. Some personal highlights include the World of Orchids, extended evening hours every Thursday with special events, concerts, and the serene beauty of the Garden at dusk. During the winter holiday season the garden turns into a luminous wonderland with artistic and sound installations along a one-mile trail.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is open 7 days a week 10am to 4pm/6pm seasonally
I visited the Japanese Friendship Garden during the first week of March which was around 15% in bloom and took these images.
Chasing Blossoms: The 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival at San Diego’s Japanese Friendship Garden
Spring in San Diego has a way of surprising you, and this year, it’s all about the cherry blossoms at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. The official 20th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is set for March 13-16, but the bloom’s a slow tease this season, promising a gorgeous show in the coming weeks. Here’s why this event—and this garden—is worth a spot on your spring radar.
A Blooming Tradition
The Japanese Friendship Garden (JFG) isn’t just a pretty face—it’s a living bridge between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Every March, it transforms into a hanami haven, the Japanese tradition of flower-viewing, and 2025 marks two decades of this celebration. The festival itself runs from Thursday, March 13 to Sunday, March 16, drawing crowds with taiko drummers, sake gardens, and cosplay contests. The garden’s 150+ cherry trees are still gearing up for their peak, expected sometime in early to mid-April based on current bloom updates from the JFG’s site.
Right now, the blossoms are at about 10-30%—not full glory yet, but enough to hint at what’s coming. The garden’s team says blooms typically last 1-2 weeks once they hit their stride, weather depending, and this year’s mild spring might stretch that a bit. If you’re like me, chasing that perfect shot, the post-festival quiet could be your golden ticket—fewer people, more petals.
What’s in Store
Picture this: winding paths under a canopy of soft pink, koi ponds reflecting the sky, and that serene vibe that makes you forget you’re in the middle of a bustling city. The lower garden’s cherry grove is where the action’s at—those trees, donated by Yokohama, are starting to pop against the backdrop of bonsai and stone lanterns.
During the festival, the JFG pulls out all the stops—daily performances from groups like San Diego Taiko and Geisha Opera Singer Fioregerisha, a beer and sake garden in the Inamori Pavilion, and vendors hawking everything from handmade crafts to street food. Kids had a blast with games in the lower garden, and new additions like a lantern wall and community art display kept it fresh. Even if you missed it, the echoes of that energy linger—volunteers are still buzzing around, keeping the place pristine.
Photo Ops and Pro Tips
Getting There: From downtown San Diego, take SR-163 south to Park Boulevard, park near the Natural History Museum, and cross the footbridge. It’s $14 for general admission now that the festival’s done—free for kids under 6.
Timing: Open 10 AM-5 PM daily (last entry 4 PM). Check niwa.org for bloom updates—they post a percentage banner daily.
Gear Up: No strollers on the steep paths—baby carriers are smarter. Bring water and a hat; it’s warming up.
Why It Matters
Beyond the Instagram bait, the JFG’s cherry blossoms are a nod to renewal—dormant winter giving way to spring’s burst of life. It’s a slice of Japanese culture tucked into SoCal. Pair it with a stop at the nearby Inez Grant Parker Rose Garden (still blooming strong!) for a double dose of flower power.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the 2025 cherry blossom season at the Japanese Friendship Garden is a slow-burn delight. I’m betting late March when it’ll peak—maybe around the 20th—so I’ll be back. For now, it’s a quiet tease of what’s to come. Grab a bento box, stroll the grove, and let the blossoms work their magic. San Diego’s spring secret is blooming—don’t sleep on it!
Chasing Blossoms: The 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival at San Diego’s Japanese Friendship Garden
Spring in San Diego has a way of surprising you, and this year, it’s all about the cherry blossoms at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. As of today, March 31, 2025, the petals are just starting to unfurl, and I’m already itching to grab my Nikon Z8 and dive into the delicate pink magic. The official 20th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is set for March 13-16, but the bloom’s a slow tease this season, promising a gorgeous show in the coming weeks. Here’s why this event—and this garden—is worth a spot on your spring radar.
A Blooming Tradition
The Japanese Friendship Garden (JFG) isn’t just a pretty face—it’s a living bridge between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Every March, it transforms into a hanami haven, the Japanese tradition of flower-viewing, and 2025 marks two decades of this celebration. The festival itself ran earlier this month, from Thursday, March 13 to Sunday, March 16, drawing crowds with taiko drummers, sake gardens, and cosplay contests. I missed the main event this year (thanks, road trip planning!), but the garden’s 150+ cherry trees are still gearing up for their peak, expected sometime in early to mid-April based on current bloom updates from the JFG’s site.
Right now, the blossoms are at about 10-30%—not full glory yet, but enough to hint at what’s coming. The garden’s team says blooms typically last 1-2 weeks once they hit their stride, weather depending, and this year’s mild spring might stretch that a bit. If you’re like me, chasing that perfect shot, the post-festival quiet could be your golden ticket—fewer people, more petals.
What’s in Store
The festival may be over, but the garden’s charm is year-round, and the cherry blossoms are the star right now. Picture this: winding paths under a canopy of soft pink, koi ponds reflecting the sky, and that serene vibe that makes you forget you’re in the middle of a bustling city. The lower garden’s cherry grove is where the action’s at—those trees, donated by Yokohama, are starting to pop against the backdrop of bonsai and stone lanterns. I’m planning to hit it after the moon sets (around 9:30 PM tonight) to test those Z8 astrophotography settings from earlier, but daytime’s just as dreamy.
During the festival, the JFG pulled out all the stops—daily performances from groups like San Diego Taiko and Geisha Opera Singer Fioregerisha, a beer and sake garden in the Inamori Pavilion, and vendors hawking everything from handmade crafts to street food. Kids had a blast with games in the lower garden, and new additions like a lantern wall and community art display kept it fresh. Even if you missed it, the echoes of that energy linger—volunteers are still buzzing around, keeping the place pristine.
Photo Ops and Pro Tips
For my fellow shutterbugs, this is prime territory. The Z8 settings I dialed in earlier (ISO 3200, f/1.8, 25s on a 20mm lens) will catch the night sky once the bloom peaks, but daytime’s where the blossoms shine. Try f/8, ISO 100, and 1/125s for crisp petal details—maybe frame the grove with a Joshua tree nod from my recent desert detour. Early morning’s best for soft light and empty paths; hit it around 6:30 AM when the sun rises.
Getting There: From downtown San Diego, take SR-163 south to Park Boulevard, park near the Natural History Museum, and cross the footbridge. It’s $14 for general admission now that the festival’s done—free for kids under 6.
Timing: Open 10 AM-5 PM daily (last entry 4 PM). Check niwa.org for bloom updates—they post a percentage banner daily.
Gear Up: No strollers on the steep paths—baby carriers are smarter. Bring water and a hat; it’s warming up.
Why It Matters
Beyond the Instagram bait, the JFG’s cherry blossoms are a nod to renewal—dormant winter giving way to spring’s burst of life. It’s a slice of Japanese culture tucked into SoCal, and after driving from San Diego to Palm Springs, I’m craving that contrast of desert grit and floral grace. Pair it with a stop at the nearby Inez Grant Parker Rose Garden (still blooming strong!) for a double dose of flower power.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the 2025 cherry blossom season at the Japanese Friendship Garden is a slow-burn delight. I’m betting mid-April’s when it’ll peak—maybe around the 10th—so I’ll be back, tripod in tow. For now, it’s a quiet tease of what’s to come. Grab a bento box, stroll the grove, and let the blossoms work their magic. San Diego’s spring secret is blooming—don’t sleep on it!
Exploring San Diego 