ABOUT US |
About the Northern California Palm Society
The Northern California Palm Society is a chapter of the International Palm Society — the largest organization of palm enthusiasts in the world. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, we bring together a passionate and diverse community of palm lovers: weekend gardeners, landscape designers, university researchers, nursery growers, and plain palm fans who share one thing in common — an abiding admiration for one of nature's most remarkable plant families.
Our chapter was founded to promote, study, and celebrate the remarkable variety of palms that can thrive in Northern California's Mediterranean climate. We believe that palms deserve a far more prominent place in Bay Area gardens and public landscapes than they currently enjoy — and we're here to prove it.
What We Do
We gather seasonally for meetings held in members' gardens — a unique and inspiring way to see palms thriving in real Bay Area conditions. Members share knowledge, trade plants, and connect with fellow enthusiasts in settings that are as educational as they are enjoyable.
We also steward the Lakeside Park Palmetum in Oakland, one of the most significant palm collections of its kind in the United States. Established in 1982, the Palmetum features more than 80 varieties of cold-hardy Mediterranean and high-altitude tropical palms, displayed in a landscaped setting with companion plantings. It is a living laboratory, a public garden, and a testament to what is possible in our climate — and it's open to all.
Our Community
Whether you're just discovering palms or have been growing them for decades, you'll find a home here. Membership connects you with knowledgeable growers, access to our annual Palm Buying Service, our members-only discussion forum Palm Talk – Nor Cal, and a community that shares your enthusiasm.
We are proud to be a chapter of the International Palm Society, whose global network, quarterly journal Palms, and conservation mission extend our reach far beyond Northern California.