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Visitor Information


"Let brotherly love continue. 
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; 
for thereby some have entertained angels unaware."  
~ Hebrews 13:1-2

To make a pilgrim's progress a bit easier, here is a page of answers to these questions.  Happy wandering!

Where? |  When? | How Much? | Parking? | Hunger/Thirst? |  
Need Relief? |  Time Needed?  | What's Nearby? | Dog/s?

Q: Where is The Daffodil Garden, you ask?

A: The Daffodil Garden is located on the slopes of the San Bernardino mountains in Southern California, just below the village of Running Springs. 

From the city of Highland (about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles), take Highway 330 toward Running Springs. Drive 14 miles up the mountain to the intersection of Live Oak Drive and Fredalba Road. Turn right on Fredalba and proceed one mile.

>> Click here for a Yahoo! Map to get to The Daffodil Garden
(Use the Zoom In /Zoom Out feature for details)


>> Click here for a PRINTABLE page of easy directions.

>>Highway conditions

Turn into the parking lot at St. Anne's Catholic Church in the Mountains at 30480 Fredalba Road. From there, signs will direct you. The garden and steps follow the undulating hillsides, and benches are available; access however is difficult for wheelchairs and the walking impaired.

Near Big Bear Lake, it is above the smog line and worlds away from the tension and stresses of city life.

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Q: When is the garden open?

A: Mrs. Gene Bauer herself replied to inquiries about her garden with the following:

"Yes, visitors are welcome. The garden is open only for three weeks in the spring, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exact dates change each year, depending on the weather, but it's usually the last week of March and the first two weeks of April.

"We are located at an elevation of 5,500 feet and the spring weather is most unpredictable. If there is snow on the ground the garden will be closed, and closed means closed. The paths are not visible and there is not much to see when everything is white."

"No food, no dogs, no smoking permitted (in the garden), and children must be supervised by an adult at all times."  
~ Source

 

Click below for a weather forecast:

>>  Call the Running Springs Chamber of Commerce 
at (909) 867-2411 or e-mail them for updates and specifics.

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Q: How much does it cost to see the garden?

A: There is no entrance fee. Yes, you get to see all of this springtime glory FOR FREE.  Gene and Dale Bauer open up their private garden for the public's enjoyment without expectation of anything in return.  Doing so is a true giving from their hearts.

For this reason, please be a model guest and respect the Bauers' posted requests.  

If you would like to practice a tradition of my homeland called pâna`i  in which the receiver reciprocates in kind, send the Bauers your thanks, positive thoughts, smiles and prayers to: 

Maintaining a five acre garden at the Bauers' level of excellence costs $$$.  They have weathered two fires in four years. If you are so moved, consider giving to the vision of the garden and its vitality.  Although not expected, it would be a sweet and thoughtful gesture from your heart. 

Q:  What's the parking situation?  

A: Ample. You just know that this garden is Heaven-sent, when you realize that the garden just "happened" to be placed within a short walking distance from the parking lot for St. Anne's Church in the Mountains. The kind people of the church allow the garden visitors to use their parking lot at no charge.  

Now how perfect is that?

Q:  What if I get hungry or thirsty? 

A: Remember: NO FOOD OR DRINK in the garden itself.  But never fear!  Light lunches, snacks and refreshments, including coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks, are available at Annie's Kitchen, located at the St. Anne's Church in the Mountains.  

It is clearly apparent that this is a shared ministry.  Annie's Kitchen is run by church volunteers who provide unpaid labor and welcoming smiles.  Below, that's Joanne (with the Easter Bunny), beckoning visitors into the kitchen for a free cup of coffee.  

Below, that's John Majchrzak and Melanie Hopkins, who are the most congenial of folks who "walk the talk": 

"May the welcome we extend to visitors make them 
truly aware of our love for them 
- for there is no such thing as a stranger, 
but only a friend we haven't met as yet." 
~ Source

Along with other church volunteers, they brew delicious, steaming  coffee, hot chocolate and cider, as well as make tasty lunches that are served with huge dollops of mountain hospitality. 

At Annie's Kitchen, you may choose to have your lunch in the kitchen whilst taking in the grand vistas, as we did at a table next to a picture window, or outdoors at picnic tables at the kitchen entry. 

As we ate, I caught sight of a sleeved copy of this delightful recollection of The Daffodil Garden by Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards which you can enjoy by clicking on the link below: 

There's also a corner in the kitchen where the church members sell crafts and souvenirs.  There are daffodil t-shirts and postcards and photos of The Daffodil Garden for sale.  

No one will accuse them of gouging their customers.  The prices are right! Myself, I bought an Amazing Grace t-shirt for $8.00 and a Holy Water receptacle for water from Lourdes that my friend Nani gifted me.

Q:  What if I have to go to the bathroom?

A: Portable toilets are available in the church parking lot at the head of the trail to The Daffodil Garden.  Take my advice:  go potty first!  

When your bladder is screaming for relief that hill from the garden to the parking lot is going to seem like a mountain.  

Q:  How long does it take to tour the garden?

A: To truly experience The Daffodil Garden as a strolling garden, as it was intended, a minimum of one hour is advised.  This will allow you time to leisurely enjoy the tranquil setting, take in the vistas, and appreciate the nature of the garden.

Q:  What's nearby?

A:  Make a day of it.  

Explore the charming village of Running Springs, just minutes away from the garden.  Then drive up to Big Bear Lake which is less than a half hour away!  

>> Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce

Up at Big Bear Lake, you may wish to visit The Discovery Center, Moonridge Animal Park (rescued wildlife), take a ride on the lake, stroll in The Village, have tea at The Tea Room, have sushi at Sushi Ichiban, or take a hike on The Woodland Trail: Area Maps  -  Trail Map & Markers.

Q:  What about my dog/s?

A: No Dogs Are Allowed in The Daffodil Garden. Please make other arrangements for your pets.

Daffodils can be poisonous to dogs. 

For more info: The Poison Control Center publishes a pamphlet listing a number of plants considered to be toxic if eaten. You can receive this pamphlet free in the mail by calling 1-800-222-1222.  Other  common plants that are considered toxic include tulips, holly and mistletoe. Symptoms from eating these plants can range from mild upset stomachs, to rashes, to serious problems with other organs such as liver, kidney or heart.  

From Provet:  "Dogs can be indiscriminate eaters, and are often seen eating grass and garden plants. All parts of the daffodil plant are toxic and can be lethal  - especially the bulb. If a dog (or human) eats or chews the bulbs, leaves or the flowers it can develop signs of poisoning, including:

• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting
• Staggering
• Collapse
• Unconsciousness
• Coma
• Death in a few hours

The most serious signs are only seen if the dog has eaten a large amount but the LD50 (dose at which 50% of animals will die) for dogs is 15g of daffodil bulbs, which is not a lot.

The toxins contained in daffodils are alkaloids including galanthamine and lycorine and there is no specific antidote."

As a dog-lover and hoping to prevent unnecessary heartbreaks, I wrote the following for dog lovers who visit the wilderness:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Dispose of Waste Properly

• Leave What You Find

• Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Respect Wildlife

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors
  ~ Leave No Trace

View Our GuestMap

Where are you from?  Please sign our GuestMap, a cool alternative to the GuestBook and LOTS more fun! We'd love to know where you're visiting from. Click on the icon to the left and follow the simple instructions. First, stick a pushpin where you live; then, if you wish, share your thoughts on daffodils and this Web site in the comments window. Thank you!

| The Legend of The Daffodil Garden | About the Garden | Visitor Info: When and Where | A Virtual Walking Tour | (Alma) Gene and Dale Bauer | The Daffodil Garden Fact Sheet | About Daffodils | Daffodil Lore | Daffodil Art | Daffodil Sayings & Quotes | Daffodil Odes |  Daffodil Links | Site Map |

 "The only gift is a portion of thyself."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson