On Sept 7 & 8, 2012, Kniffing's nursery in El Cajon, California is having a tour of rose gardens in Bakersfield, Temecula and Wasco. Dr. Jim Sproul will talk to the group, and Weeks and Star roses are leading a tour through the growing fields.
The price of $175 includes the bus ride, hotel, and a few meals. $230 for 2 people.
My daughter who lives in San Diego is going with me.
Flights to San Diego are really cheap from Kansas--I'm guessing they are reasonable from other points also.
Wouldn't it be fun to have other cubits/ATP people on the tour? Here's all the info:

http://www.kniffingsnursery.co...
The man I talked to said they need more people to sign up so they don't have to arrange for a smaller bus.
Take a look!

Nice! Too bad I already have plans for $ then (going to NM on mini vacay). Otherwise I'd be checking on plane tickets & hotels. Maybe next year

That first garden in Temecula, with 7 acres and 500 roses, probably belongs to Pam and Don (DrDon), who were once active in Dave's Garden and hosted the annual Southern California roundups. If it is their garden and they're present during the tour, please give them my regards.

If you still have access to DG, here's a link to Don's description of the work the rose garden on the slope entailed.

Wow! Sounds like fun. Now if only I could find someone to take care of the farm while I was gone...