My DH is planning a business trip next spring in north California, and we'd like to visit San Jose heritage rose garden and the climbing roses they grew on Santa Clara University fences. We've never been there. What time do you think is the best if we want to see as many rose bloomings as possible? Is early May too early for it or too late? Our schedule is quite flexible so it's easy to set up in anytime.

This time we'll rent a car, so, if it's not too inconvenient, we'd like to visit north Cal rose gardeners and see your roses. As a newbie, I'm always curious about how other rosarians' gardens look like. And the Covid thing surely has no help about it. We both have got the boosters if that's your concern. I've been so craving for Zuzu's 2000 roses for a long time.
Anyway, thanks in advance.

Early May is perfect for this area.

Thank you, zuzu. And do you recommend any other garden good to visit?

Calif_Sue can give you lots of good recommendations. I'm getting too old to go anywhere these days, and the gardens I used to visit might be gone now.

The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden is definitely worth a visit, but it's nothing compared to the SJHRG! Be sure to give yourself many hours for the SJHRG :-D

Thank you, Susan. We definitely will go to SJHRG!

Yes, I recommend those two for roses. Also, if you are interested in other plants besides roses, The San Francisco Botanical Gardens and the SF Conservatory of Flowers are excellent. I visited the conservatory a few months ago and posted it here. The thread "Tour of San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers" in Tropicals forum