LOL, I can't afford to even LIVE in SF much less have the space for a plant. But up here in the boonies, I do have the room for artichokes in some areas of my yard we haven't landscaped yet. My only problem with them was that last time I had them (30 years ago!) they'd get earwigs. I'd clean and cut them, boil them up, serve them, and after peeling off those few outer leaves, I'd find an earwig had bored a tunnel through the thing (and was most likely boiled alive inside somewhere). Eeeeeew! It's one of the reasons I don't grow corn either. I can't stand any veggie where you can't see the bugs until you're in the house, opening them up. But I was way young then and didn't know anything about pest preventions. There also wasn't an internet back then. Now, a little wiser and with more resources (e.g. you all) I may give them another shot.

I was just going to add Mendon's Nursery in Paradise on the list but then I saw that Kate had beat me to it. I live in Paradise and most of the plants I have planted have come from Mendons. I am very sorry Kate's first impression wasn't a very good one. There are many many people who work there and most are quite knowledgable. Maybe it was just the heat of the day. By the way, they have a great sale every October with all plants being 40% off. That is how I am able to afford all my landscaping.

Update - warning long read. I performed quite a bit of research and the process for California residents is as follows: 1. Fill out form USDA/APHIS form PPQ-546, Post Entry Quarantine Permit. There is no cost to this form. It must be submitted to the CDFA (California Dept. of Food & Ag). The CDFA then contacts your local county agricultural dept. to perform a site inspection. There is no charge for this site inspection. The local county inspector signs off on the form and the CDFA then sends it to the USDA/APHIS. 2. CDFA has to perform 2 inspections of the plant material, once it arrives and at the end of the quarantine period of 2 years for mangos. I'm still not quite clear on this. There is a cost associated with these inspections that are performed by a CDFA pathologist. Furthermore, if anything unusual happens to the imported plant material, you have to report it and they have to come out for inspection again. Due to budget issues, the CDFA only has three service locations throughout CA. The closest one to us is Sacramento. Since I live in San Jose, the travel fee is $150 and the inspection cost is billed at $60hr. I'm attempting to get a more precise cost estimate but have been told it should take no more than a half hour to perform the site inspection since it is residential. So the cost for two inspections comes out to $420. If a plant dies or gets diseased, the cost will increase. Another issue is that all imported plant material has to be federally inspected also at PIS (plant inspection sites). There is one close to SFO, yet I cannot transport the plant material from the airport to the PIS. It has to be done by a customs bonded carrier. I do not know if there is a charge for the PIS inspections but most likely there is. And also do not understand why the CDFA has to inspect the material once the Feds have already initially done it. They suggested mailing the plant material directly to the PIS station in SFO as this is the typical course of action. So as you can see, this process is quite elaborate and I'm sure there are a few more details I have not come across yet. I don't mind all these little steps as I wasn't expecting any less being a current govt. employee, but feel the cost associated is a bit high. I was hoping it would be around $300 max. I have a friend at work who is an entomologist and heads the pest management department, he expained some of the barriers and overlap between the CDFA and USDA. I was hoping my local county could perform the inspections as they do have a working pathologist on site and he is going to see if he can help. I might have given him mango fever because he said he would split the cost with me but his total cost estimate was around $750. I don't mind paying the hourly cost, it's the travel distance cost that is quite high. Moreover, if I bring back 12 plants and have two die at separate times, that will prompt two additional inspections at an estimated $210 each. the PEQ program is meant for commercial nurseries/farm use and not us residents but will accomodate us crazed citizens. I'll continue to research more and will eventually decide if I want to go through with it. Cheers, Desimango

Wow...where to start...it would help to know your style. Is it up-scale or a little funkier? Judging by your profile, a little funky would be Ok. I'll try to cover just the basics now, but pick up some books on California and read about some of the areas I mention. Flying into San Francisco or Oakland is easy. Staying in the City is wonderful and there is plenty to see and do. Driving up Highway 1 is, well... "very special." Depending upon where you start and expect to finish, it can provide some spectacular scenery, but consume a good deal of time in doing it! Flying back from your last destination could prove to be a challenge as there are no major airports North of SF until you get to Portland Oregon! There are a number of small airports that can provide a hop to one of the major ones, but that can take some time and cost a bit too. Wine country is a special place as well, but it is not just Napa. Most of California has become "Wine Country" as some very good wines come from way south in Santa Barbara County and East in the Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada foothills! Do keep in mine that late September can be a very exciting time in Napa-Sonoma depending upon the harvest, but, with all the activity, it can be a very busy time as well. I believe late September & October are the best time to visit though. It may be somewhat late for booking accommodations, or maybe not. IÂm sure you will find out! For the time you have, I might suggest going north from SF to Napa & Sonoma Counties as you have planned. Napa can be considered the "up-scale" area, for some pretty good reasons, while Sonoma is a little more down-to-earth and the Russian River area of Sonoma could even be called somewhat "funky." Some amazing wines come from all of these areas though! All this is centered around, or near, highway 101 Continue North to until Cloverdale, then take Hwy 128 (some great wineries along this narrow two-lane highway too!) to Hwy 1 and Mendocino. If you can get accommodations in Mendocino, stay there at least two nights. Continue north on Hwy 1 to get your fill of ocean/cliff scenery to where Hwy 1 & 101 comes together at Leggett. Just North of here is the Costal Redwoods and many parks dedicated to these giants. Well worth spending some time in! Run back down 101, through Ukiah and consider ending your trip with a few days in San Francisco, instead of starting it there. The Monterey Peninsula, seeing Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel and its "Wine Country" is another area that would be good to do, but it is South of SF. If you can map out the time, consider it though. Well, this is way long enough, maybe too long, for tonight. Just remember, California is a very large state and be sure to check mileage/driving times as to not wear yourselves out and enjoy the vacation less. All the best...