Sunshine Gardens, Encinitas

Since the early 1970s, Sunshine Gardens has been many San Diegans' favorite garden center, its extensive layout and comprehensive selection drawing gardeners of all varieties. Billed as the city's oldest and largest, this natural wonderland is actually much more than a nursery. Sure, yard beautifiers can stock up on seeds and start a succulent vegetable garden. But with goats to pet, pies to munch on, and eco-friendly art to bring home, Sunshine is probably better-described as a sprawling celebration of the seasons. The center also offers local delivery for when you can't fit a tree on the back of your bike, as well as tips on how to plant and care for plants.