Some stops along the way

A sampling of spring garden and home tours and major garden- related events are listed below. Many are not wheelchair accessible, and some do not allow children. Call ahead for details.

MARCH

March 24: Cliff May Tour. A rare look at Cliff May's Riviera Ranch and Sullivan Canyon homes in Brentwood. Sponsored by the Gamble House. $75 general admission, $50 for Friends of the Gamble House members. www.gamblehouse.org.

March 25: Pasadena Heritage Spring Home Tour. A self-driven look at variations of period revival architecture including Mediterranean Revival and Classical Revival. Stops at seven private homes by Myron Hunt, Roland E. Coate and the firm of Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets $30 to $35; day of tour $40. (626) 441-6333, www.pasadenaheritage.org\o7.

\f7 March 30-April 1: CA Boom 4 Home Tours. Architects and designers lead visitors through homes in Santa Monica, Venice and Mar Vista over three days. Timed departures from about 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tour tickets are $75 per day or $200 for a three-day pass. Shuttles provided. Held in conjunction with the annual CA Boom exposition of modern design, to be held this year at the Santa Monica Airport. Show includes some designers of landscapes and garden accessories. (310) 394-8600; daily tour lineup at www.caboomshow.com.

APRIL

April 21-22: California Poppy Festival. Annual event celebrates spring bloom in the Antelope Valley. Lancaster City Park, 43011 N. 10th St. West. $4 to $7. Rain or shine. (661) 723-6077, www.poppyfestival.com.

April 22: The Creative Arts Group's annual Art of the Garden tour of five Pasadena garden estates. $25 in advance, $30 day of tour. (626) 355-8350, www.creativeartsgroup.org\o7.

\f7 April 22: American Institute of Architects Spring Home Tour. Four homes in West Hollywood and Hancock Park by John Barone, Linda Pollari, Robert Somol, David Thompson and Clive Wilkinson. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $75. (213) 639-0777, www.aialosangeles.org\o7.

\f7 April 22: Pacific Palisades Garden Club's annual Spring Garden Tour. Self-guided look at seven Westside gardens and a plant market. 1 to 5 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 day of the event. (310) 454-7826 or (310) 476-1318.

April 22-May 20: Pasadena Showcase House of Design. Descanso Gardens' Regency-style Boddy House will be transformed this year. $30 to $35 in advance; $35 to $40 at the door. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada-Flintridge. (714) 442-3872, www.pasadenashowcase.org.