Rancho Soledad is tucked away and a little bit of trek to Rancho Santa Fe to get to, but well worth it for any serious agave or succulent collector. The nursery is loaded with rare and hard to find plants, not to mention hybrids from agave gods Jeremy Spath and Kelly Griffin. They are primarily wholesale so don't expect to be greeted by somebody in the display garden, it can be a little intimidating and unwelcoming, but rest assured Jesse will find you and drive you to whatever you need. The staff is very knowledgeable and couldn't be nicer. read more

Rancho Soledad Nurseries - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

Hunter was great! It's a large lot with so many varieties that it helped having him drive us around on a cart to help locate the perfect plant. Next time, I hope I can stump him in his plant knowledge. read more

I've been all over the county to nurseries big and small, corporate and independent, and if you're looking for awesome agaves and aloes this is the only place you need to visit. I wish I'd found them earlier and saved myself a lot of time and hassle. Amazing selection of plants, hands down the best I've seen. The owner is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, down to earth and able to answer every practical question about choosing and caring for these plants. Hours of online research can't compare to the understanding gained by touring the beautiful, expansive nursery and talking to the experts. These guys have been doing this forever and you can tell they love their work. I can't recommend this place enough to anyone thinking about a waterwise landscape renovation. This place is inspiring. read more

Although I didn't find what I was looking for (small succulents), a kind man name Jesse took me on a tour to help me find some plants. They have a beautiful garden too. read more

Rancho Soledad Nurseries - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

Under impressed. The older lady in the office is a rude ole bitch, to be frank. The place is so large we were a bit confused on where to look or where certain varieties of plants are and she couldn't be bothered to be civil & point us in the right direction. Won't come back. Their selection isn't even that good ‍ read more

The nursery itself is fabulous. They offer a Hilo-grown selection you won't find anywhere else. The problem is customer service. Years ago they had competent sales help like Eric who was always professional and responsive. He returned calls, emails, and texts. But Eric is gone and Hunter is unreachable. The entire show is placed in the hands of a flaky worthless disappearing act named Jesse. This headcase moron turns a simple purchase into an all-day ordeal. If you say you want to buy something he jumps on his cart and vanishes. It can take hours (and normally does) to find him because the place is huge and he deliberately hides. One time I was hunting him down and saw a pair of customers walking back toward the main building and asked them if they saw Jesse anywhere and they said, "No, he avoids us. Guess he doesn't want to sell us anything!" So I know it's not just me. I've spent $1000s there every year and get the same unexplained weirdo treatment from Jesse. I honestly don't believe Hunter and his mom know about his behavior and what Jesse does to their family business. Calling the nursery is useless cause they transfer you to Jesse who says "I call you back" and never does or "I send you pics" and never does. That's if he answered the phone. It goes on for weeks. "I send you pics in a few minutes." Still waiting after 8 days. He doesn't respond to texts or WhatsApp. I live hours away and the only way to know if they have something is to drive there. Why can't they hire a real legit professional salesperson? Must be they don't value walk-in customers? read more

Outstanding wholesale and retail nursery with a gargantuan selection. They clone a lot of their own plants and run possibly the only tissue culture lab in San Diego County. So they have proprietary plants you can't find anywhere else. Meticulous care is given to the plants. So though some consider it an expensive nursery, you're buying higher quality plants and also certain cultivars that simply are not for sale elsewhere. I've met three staff members and the owner. Everyone was super friendly, outgoing, and eager to talk plants with me. I've been very happy with all my purchases here so far. read more

The best nursery in north county, hands down. This will be my primary go to place for plants going forward

I have been wanting to get some agaves for a while. I have gone to three other nurseries, Rancho Soledad blew them out of the water. When I got there I rang the bell, and within minutes I received great customer service. We jumped in a golf cart and he gave me a tour. If you haven't been here it's a must. Great customer service and reasonable prices. I will definitely be back, and yes I bought 3 beautiful agaves. read more

About 12 years ago I spent a day at Rancho Soledad selecting plants, trees and perennials, succulents and cycads. They were to be the "paint" for my "blank canvas" in VIsta ... an acre of recently hardscaped but otherwise barren yard in Vista. I just walked out into my yard and was struck by how gorgeous it all turned out. I'm very proud of it and could not have done it without the help of the incredible plant professionals at Rancho Soledad. I should mention that during the five years I was planning I visited over 30 nurseries. Some I did business with later and by and large I was happy with what they provided. But if I am happy with the others, I am over the moon with the specimens I purchased from Rancho Soledad. The very best and most beautiful trees and plants in my gardens came from this veritable Eden. Where other nurseries seemed to carry the same plants I found some incredible variety there. I have life forms I have never seen elsewhere and these are the plants that garner the most "ooohs!" I've returned periodically to buy new plants. As my landscape has matured I've had to do some tweaking. Where my property was 99% sunny before I now have an enormous amount of shade. Where I panted a small cycad now a gorgeous prehistoric plant that would look at home in Jurassic Park thrives. This has meant I've had to pull and move some plants and go find plants that tolerate shade. It's a work in progress as are all gardens. If you haven't visited you should. What with their partner property outside of Hilo these folks have some incredible plants. In particular, their cycads are world class and you ow it to yourself to see some of the boxed specimens that run more than we paid as a down payment on our home. Everyone there are first rate plant people. This is not your average nursery. It is a national treasure! Don't be put off by the zip code - this is a great place to pick your paints for your canvas whether this is a do-it-yourself project or you're working with a pro. Here's hoping this place is around for as long as the Jurassic era! read more

The promised land for cactus and succulent collectors in San Diego County. 25 rolling, bucolic acres in the middle of Rancho Santa Fe containing mostly larger and mature plants for sale to anyone from the retail collector to the major landscaping firms. Vast selection of Cycads (including giant specimens), Aloes, Agaves, Bromeliads, etc. Eric or Jesse will be happy to load you into a golf cart and take you up and down the succulent-studded hills to the various nursery zones containing the plants you're interested in, and they are helpful and patient while you evaluate their inventory and make your selection. If you are into cactus and succulents, make it a point to visit Rancho Soledad Nursery for the best selection of healthy, high-quality plants in San Diego. Note: they accept cash or checks but not credit cards. read more

I experienced some of the greatest customer service while at Rancho Soledad. Not only is the drive out to this hidden gem an experience on it's own, but we were welcomed with friendly smiles, helpful staff, and knowledgeable insight for our landscaping needs. I went in there with only a general concept of what I was looking for and I left feeling as though I was educated and prepared to make some good decisions. I'm thinking their prices are a little on the higher end of the scale, but I believe it was worth it for the experience they provided.What an amazing selection they had as well! I highly recommend a visit! read more

Woohoo is an understatement! Got lost and just happened upon this place (it's not a place you just happen upon, but I saw the "Nurseries" sign and decided to follow). OMG!! I was totally enchanted. An awesome walk through acres of agave, echeveria, bromeliads, hot greenhouses...UNREAL variety and so plentiful. Then, if I hadn't already been under a complete spell...the Palmetum!!! I walked in and the water was dripdripdripping. It was so green and lush. I heard a sound and fully expected to see a sloth spying me from one of the canopy trees. I'M IN LOVE!!! read more

This place is plant heaven! We stumbled on this place (after going to dozens of other nurseries and fell in love. It's HUGE and there is so much to choose from. The people that work there are friendly...particularly Eric who drove us around in the golf cart and helped us pick out plants. Their primary business is wholesale...however the retail pricing is great! I sent my parents there and they were thrilled. They came back with a truck full. NOTE: BRING CASH OR CHECK...NO CC'S read more

Excellent selection and phenomenal customer service. Well worth the beautiful drive up there. If you want mature palm trees or succulents such as Aloe Hercules, this is your place. Cash or check only. read more

Wow. The drive here was gorgeous and I was immediately taken with the peacefulness of the nursery, but more than anything it was the above and beyond customer service that really made my visit. I was quickly approached by Jesse and asked if I needed any assistance, and I'm so glad I told him what I was looking for. He was extremely helpful and drove me around in the golf cart for at least 30 minutes (probably longer) looking at plants in different areas and greenhouses, as well as answering my questions and giving me advice. I also thought the prices were very reasonable, at least in regards to what I was looking at -- even a lot lower than many of the other places I've been to. The entire time I was here I just kept thinking, "I wish I could stay here forever." It's so beautiful and serene. I'm looking forward to coming back the next chance I get. Definitely recommend! read more

What a great place. My son called it the Disneyland of Cactus and Succulents. Several folks helped as we wondered around most of the day. Time to buy and Jessie took us on a tour in a golf cart that was remarkable. After almost 4 hours on foot Jessie's tour opened up 200% more possibilities and ideas. Thank you for a great day. read more

Well you have to drive through the land of estates and polo ponies to get there (keep your windows rolled up if the smell of conspicuous consumption gets a bit cloying), but I think it's worth it. Amazing selection of palms and succulents in particular. Wear comfortable shoes - the terrain is a bit challenging in places (I finally hitched a ride with an employee in a golf cart, who gave me a nice tour). Prices seem very reasonable.....and classical music is piped through the entire nursery for your browsing pleasure! read more

Rancho Soledad is an amazing and wonderful place. Acre after acre of well tended plants. Thank you, Jesse, for driving us around and helping us pick out gorgeous succulents. We'll be back! read more

this place is amazing if you're into succulent plants. it's also a bit frustrating because you realize that 95 percent of sandyeggins are not. high maintenance, water hogging, fertilizing-hungry green grass lawns are still landscaping's first choice here in our arid climate. read more