Every spring for the past 12 years, the La Jolla Historical Society has invited the public to stroll beyond the garden gates of some of La Jolla’s most beloved homes and enjoy their cherished Secret Gardens. Over the years, featured gardens have ranged from intimate to grand and included gardens at historic homes, quaint cottages, active family homes, European-inspired villas and elegant estates. The garden locations will remain a closely-guarded secret until the tour day, Saturday, May 15, but since I have a little “inside information,” I wanted to give you a glimpse into what will be in store for you as you meander though the garden gates of six beautiful homes. Once again, the tour will take you through various La Jolla neighborhoods. In the heart of the Village, you will be treated to a historic home with a charming cottage-style garden that boasts a necklace of white iceberg roses. Two gardens are located above La Jolla Shores. One features a beautifully-manicured garden with a vibrant color scheme that overlooks ocean vistas. Hidden down a private drive, the next garden is designed in classic Southern California style with a bounty of Meyer’s lemon trees and heavenly ginger to scent the air. Three estate-sized gardens are also featured and their designs reflect each owner’s lifestyle and passion. With one of the most spectacular views you will ever see, one garden overlooks the ocean and is adorned with the owner’s collection of tribal art. It also features blackberries and blueberries, plants we don’t regularly see in Southern California gardens. A passion for angels is the highlight of the next garden that has an East meets West style. The last garden is lush and green and it is bound to wake up your childhood imagination with its playhouse and tree house. The Secret Garden Tour offers not only enchanting gardens, it also gives you the opportunity to see artists capturing the garden scenes on their canvases, designers’ garden entertaining displays and talented musicians who will add their musical notes to the spring air. In addition to the self-guided tour, there is also a Platinum Tour, which includes shuttle transportation to each garden, brunch and a special garden to view. This year, Platinum Tour ticket holders will be treated to a historic home with mesmerizing ocean views and a garden framed by towering pine trees that steps down to the ocean below. Brunch will be served at the Estancia Hotel and the hotel is offering a special rate package if you want to stay at the hotel or enjoy their luxurious spa. All of the proceeds from the tour benefit the La Jolla Historical Society. The successful tour enables the Society to continue “Building a future for La Jolla’s past.” Stop by Wisteria Cottage (780 Prospect St.) and see what exciting restoration projects are planned for both the enchanting cottage and its grounds. A revered local landmark, generously donated to the Society by the Revelle family, the historic cottage will not only become a new headquarters for the Society, but it will also house a museum that will be shared with the community. Admission is limited, so remember to plan ahead since the tour usually sells out weeks before. For more information, call the Society at: (858) 459-5335 for a recorded message or go to their informative Web site: www.LaJollaHistory.org for information on the self-guided tour, Platinum Tour and the Estancia Hotels special “Beautiful Botanicals” offer. — Linda Marrone is one of the co-founders of the Secret Garden Tour and a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker who specializes in historic and architecturally-designed homes. The owner of a historic La Jolla home and garden, you can take a tour of her historic garden on: www.LindaMarrone.com.