May is prime time for gardeners, when spring blooms and summer is just on the horizon. It’s when plans for summer vegetable gardens fall into place and your ambition has not yet been challenged by random plant diseases and pesky critters. And it’s when you’re most likely to find me at a local plant nursery, sifting through seed packets and roaming outdoor aisles in search of specific tomato plant varieties. I also inevitably get distracted by the houseplants section and the potential for another succulent addition to the box window collection in my kitchen.
Whether you’re an avid gardener or someone who likes to bring plants indoors, visiting Peninsula plant shops and nurseries is a great way to see a wide variety of plants and get expert advice from staff. Some local spots are also community hubs, hosting events that go beyond the botanical world. Karla Kane has rounded up eight local options to get you started in your growth journey.
Rooted in the Bay Area,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Spring greening: 8 great places to get plants around the Peninsula, from funky shops to speciality nurseries
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Can’t decide between kung pao chicken and dumplings? There’s a new spot in Burlingame serving dumplings filled with kung pao chicken. Want Hong Kong-style barbecue but also spicy Sichuan dishes? A San Bruno restaurant recently opened offering both styles of cuisine.
Treasure hunt: How the Filoli estate is rebuilding its collection
It takes research, perseverance — and sometimes luck — for staff to track down objects that once belonged in the home.
Congrats to Wendy, who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Halfway to Halloween Party: May 2 Out of the Barrel taproom in San Carlos will host a costume contest for attendees and their canine companions, candy, beer slushies and games.
Force Fest: May 3 Daly City celebrates all things “Star Wars” at Westlake Park with games, crafts, activities, snacks and a Millennium Falcon jump house. Space is limited to the first 100 participants; register at dalycity.org/iplay.
May Day Music & Art Festival at Pie Ranch: May 3-4 Celebrate the start of May at this annual Coastside festival featuring two stages of live music from local artists, food and drink vendors, art and (optional) camping.
Plant Sale & Craft Fair: May 4 The San Mateo Garden Center hosts a day of family activities, plants and crafts for sale, live music, raffles and more.
Living Electric Fair: May 4 Downtown Los Altos hosts a day dedicated to sharing the benefits of going electric and choosing sustainable options, featuring educational booths, hands-on activities, live musical entertainment and story time.
Coastal Wildflower Day: May 4 Live music, crafts, kids’ activities, nature walks, a food truck and a raffle are all part of the celebrations at this festival celebrating the diverse ecosystems and community volunteer efforts of the Coastside.
Downtown Los Altos Bubbly Stroll: May 9 Sample sparkling wines and bubbly beverages and receive a limited-edition bubbly glass and a commemorative wristband with ticket purchase.
Birds and their Nests: May 10 Learn about local bird species and peek at some of their nests up close at this springtime class at Hidden Villa.
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival: May 10 Taste California wines and listen to a variety of jazz performances at downtown Half Moon Bay’s annual festival.
Plan Ahead:
Dave Barry: May 12 The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Dave Barry comes to Cañada College for an event presented by Kepler’s where he’ll discuss his memoir, “Class Clown.”
Music and Migration Remixed: May 16 Stanford University’s Institute for Advancing Just Societies and the Institute for Diversity in the Arts present an evening of conversations with artists and scholars whose work has centered immigrant communities, followed by a concert by Ethiopian American singer and composer Meklit Hadero and The Movement Immigrant Orchestra.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2025: May 17 This annual free event features screening of environmental films, plus food, community booths, live music and live raptors. The films are also available virtually.
El Camino Real Ride: May 17 Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s fifth annual ride from Santa Clara to Menlo Park includes four stops along the way with free refreshments from local businesses. Ride the whole 17-mile route or join along the way.
Kitten Nursery Shower: May 18 Interact with kittens, watch volunteers syringe-feed the itty-bittiest of kitties, learn about volunteering and more at the Peninsula Humane Society’s special event. A wishlist of suggested “shower” gifts to donate is available.
Trevor Noah: May 23-24 Comedian and author Trevor Noah (“The Daily Show,” “Born a Crime”) comes to Mountain Winery for a pair of shows.
The Wailers Natural Mystic 30th Anniversary: May 26 The Wailers celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album “Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On,” a collection of Bob Marley’s more politicized and religious-themed songs, by performing the entire album live.
San Mateo County Fair: May 30-June 8 Get your yearly fix of funnel cake, carnival games, rides, live concerts and all sorts of county fair fun.
Emperor of the Moon: June 6 Music, dance, pantomime and puppetry come together in this musical theater collaboration between Nash Baroque Ensemble and Dance Through Time, featuring a cast of commedia dell’arte characters who embark on a journey to the moon.
The sweet-scented legacy of Ah Sam: 88 years of fame, family and flowers
From the Crosbys to the Currys, the San Mateo florist has served generations of dedicated locals who won’t buy flowers anywhere else.
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