Nursuries along Hwy 92 to Half Moon Bay in CA

We recently had the chance to travel back to northern California for my husband's college reunion.  

Traveling along 92 to Half Moon Bay the landscape becomes surprisingly green compared to the brown hills we've come to expect in California before winter rains arrive.  The fog that often rolls in from the ocean keeps conditions cooler and moister for gardening.   But as we approached the nurseries scattered along 92 outside of town, we discovered a warm, sunny day with clear blue skies was in store.  A number of greenhouses are operated by vendors offering a variety of unique plants at T & E Pastorino.

Yerba Buena Nursery specializes in native plants-an interesting collection quite different from our native plants in the Midwest being adapted for a much drier climate.

Yerba Buena Nursery 

Another greenhouse offered a spectacular array of orchids in full bloom. 

World Rare Plants Store sells carnivorous plants and a large selection of fairy garden supplies- an unlikely combination, but the owners have created numerous fairy gardens using them effectively, with seasonal Halloween decor complementing the carnivorous plants especially well.

Carnivorous plant sculptures 

Miniature garden featuring pond surrounded by
carnivorous plants

A seasonal miniature garden with pumpkins and a skeleton 

A larger display garden of carnivorous plants

A quick stop at the Blue Sky Farms on our way out of town, offered pumpkin lattes made with real pumpkin and fresh-baked savory chili cheese scones to enjoy as we wandered through their small nursery.

Fog was rolling in over the hills as we left for Palo Alto.  We were fortunate to have been able to enjoy some spectacular warm, sunny weather on our brief visit to the coast.