Allan wrote:
My parents will be visiting from New Zealand next month. They are gardening
fanatics and have owned a nursery. I'm sure there are some very
cool/huge/funky nurseries in the area. Where are they?

Try asking this question in the California forum at:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/calif/
I think you'll get a better response.

My suggestions would include Rogers Gardens, Descanso Gardens
and Huntington Library.

http://www.rogersgardens.com/
http://www.descanso.com/index.cfm
http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalD...nicalHome.html