FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TheSCHEDULE
When, where and what time is the tour?
The Outdoor Art Club Garden Tour will take place on Thursday, May 16 from 9 am to 4 pm. and leaves from the Outdoor Art Club located at One West Blithedale in Mill Valley. For a map, click here.
What do I do once I arrive at the Outdoor Art Club?
Check in at the Registration Table to pick up a wristband that is required for entrance to the gardens. If you have pre-purchased lunch, check in to pick up your lunch wristband. You will also receive a printed program about the gardens on the tour.
Do I need to arrive at 9 am?
No. In fact, we recommend that you start the tour later in the day in order to avoid lines. Shuttles start leaving the Outdoor Art Club at 9:00 am and run continuously. The last vehicle will leave the Outdoor Art Club to start the Tour at 2:30 pm. Gardens close at 4:00pm.
How long is the tour?
The Tour takes approximately 3 - 3 1/2 hours, not including lunch.
What happens if it rains?
The tour goes on rain or shine. Bring your umbrella or rain jacket.
TRANSPORTATION
How will I get to the gardens? Do I drive?
You do not drive your own car on the Tour. We will shuttle you to the homes on the tour or you may take our cycling route.
What about parking?
Parking is available in downtown Mill Valley, and there are mostly 2-hour metered spaces near the Outdoor Art Club that accept quarters, a credit or debit card or a City of Mill Valley RSVP parking permit. We provide a parking permit which allows for an additional 2 hours of metered parking free. You can download and print the parking permit here. You must place it on your dashboard so it is visible to the parking enforcement officer.
Can I ride my bike?
Cyclists must sign a release form, and helmets are required before they receive a route map. Bicycle locks are strongly suggested. There are no bike racks at the homes on the tour, and there are no bike racks on the shuttles. The Outdoor Art Club is not responsible for the security of your bike.
TICKETS
How much are tickets?
Tickets are $45 and available online by credit or debit card. You may also download a registration form and mail your payment no later than April 30. The tour typically sells out. If available, tickets may be purchased at the door for $55.
Will tickets be sent to me?
No. Your name will be at the Registration Table at the Outdoor Art Club where you will check in before the Tour and receive a wrist band. If you also purchased the luncheon, you will receive a different color wrist band. Registration desk opens at 8:45 am.
Are tickets refundable?
No. This is a fundraiser and tickets prices will not be refunded. If you cannot use your ticket, we hope you can share it with a friend who will enjoy the tour.
AT THE CLUB HOUSE
What is for lunch?
We will be providing a delicious picnic lunch featuring either a chicken or vegetarian sandwich wrap, with a side salad, seasonal fruit cup and a delectable dessert buffet. Iced tea, lemonade and water are complimentary and wine will be available for purchase. All food and beverages are to be enjoyed at the club and may not be eaten on the shuttles or in the gardens. Tickets can be purchased, in advance only, for $15.
What time is lunch?
Lunch is available between 11:30 am - 2 pm.
Will there be shopping?
On the Outdoor Art Club Patio, there will be shopping for garden-related books, crafts, edibles and a Silent Auction. The clubhouse is located in downtown Mill Valley which is a charming town to explore with wonderful restaurants and shops.
Are there restrooms?
Restrooms are available at the Outdoor Art Club, but not in the tour homes.
AT THE GARDENS
Are the gardens accessible?
The gardens on the tour are at private homes and are not wheelchair or walker accessible. There are steps and some steep or uneven terrain.
Can I take photographs?
To respect the privacy of the homeowners who have generously offered their homes for the tour, we ask that you do not take pictures. We will have information and photographs of the key plantings available on the website beginning May 1, and they will remain on the website for a period of time after the tour for your reference.
Are children allowed on the tour?
The Tour is not designed for children. If you do bring a child, they must have their own ticket. Unfortunately, the gardens and homes are not stroller accessible, and our transportation vehicles do not have child car seats.
Can I bring my pet?
No, pets are not permitted on the tour.
When, where and what time is the tour?
The Outdoor Art Club Garden Tour will take place on Thursday, May 16 from 9 am to 4 pm. and leaves from the Outdoor Art Club located at One West Blithedale in Mill Valley. For a map, click here.
What do I do once I arrive at the Outdoor Art Club?
Check in at the Registration Table to pick up a wristband that is required for entrance to the gardens. If you have pre-purchased lunch, check in to pick up your lunch wristband. You will also receive a printed program about the gardens on the tour.
Do I need to arrive at 9 am?
No. In fact, we recommend that you start the tour later in the day in order to avoid lines. Shuttles start leaving the Outdoor Art Club at 9:00 am and run continuously. The last vehicle will leave the Outdoor Art Club to start the Tour at 2:30 pm. Gardens close at 4:00pm.
How long is the tour?
The Tour takes approximately 3 - 3 1/2 hours, not including lunch.
What happens if it rains?
The tour goes on rain or shine. Bring your umbrella or rain jacket.
TRANSPORTATION
How will I get to the gardens? Do I drive?
You do not drive your own car on the Tour. We will shuttle you to the homes on the tour or you may take our cycling route.
What about parking?
Parking is available in downtown Mill Valley, and there are mostly 2-hour metered spaces near the Outdoor Art Club that accept quarters, a credit or debit card or a City of Mill Valley RSVP parking permit. We provide a parking permit which allows for an additional 2 hours of metered parking free. You can download and print the parking permit here. You must place it on your dashboard so it is visible to the parking enforcement officer.
Can I ride my bike?
Cyclists must sign a release form, and helmets are required before they receive a route map. Bicycle locks are strongly suggested. There are no bike racks at the homes on the tour, and there are no bike racks on the shuttles. The Outdoor Art Club is not responsible for the security of your bike.
TICKETS
How much are tickets?
Tickets are $45 and available online by credit or debit card. You may also download a registration form and mail your payment no later than April 30. The tour typically sells out. If available, tickets may be purchased at the door for $55.
Will tickets be sent to me?
No. Your name will be at the Registration Table at the Outdoor Art Club where you will check in before the Tour and receive a wrist band. If you also purchased the luncheon, you will receive a different color wrist band. Registration desk opens at 8:45 am.
Are tickets refundable?
No. This is a fundraiser and tickets prices will not be refunded. If you cannot use your ticket, we hope you can share it with a friend who will enjoy the tour.
AT THE CLUB HOUSE
What is for lunch?
We will be providing a delicious picnic lunch featuring either a chicken or vegetarian sandwich wrap, with a side salad, seasonal fruit cup and a delectable dessert buffet. Iced tea, lemonade and water are complimentary and wine will be available for purchase. All food and beverages are to be enjoyed at the club and may not be eaten on the shuttles or in the gardens. Tickets can be purchased, in advance only, for $15.
What time is lunch?
Lunch is available between 11:30 am - 2 pm.
Will there be shopping?
On the Outdoor Art Club Patio, there will be shopping for garden-related books, crafts, edibles and a Silent Auction. The clubhouse is located in downtown Mill Valley which is a charming town to explore with wonderful restaurants and shops.
Are there restrooms?
Restrooms are available at the Outdoor Art Club, but not in the tour homes.
AT THE GARDENS
Are the gardens accessible?
The gardens on the tour are at private homes and are not wheelchair or walker accessible. There are steps and some steep or uneven terrain.
Can I take photographs?
To respect the privacy of the homeowners who have generously offered their homes for the tour, we ask that you do not take pictures. We will have information and photographs of the key plantings available on the website beginning May 1, and they will remain on the website for a period of time after the tour for your reference.
Are children allowed on the tour?
The Tour is not designed for children. If you do bring a child, they must have their own ticket. Unfortunately, the gardens and homes are not stroller accessible, and our transportation vehicles do not have child car seats.
Can I bring my pet?
No, pets are not permitted on the tour.