FRUIT TREE NURSERY NEAR SAN DIEGO · VISTA, CA
Fruit Tree Nursery Near San Diego: Mature Tropical & Subtropical Fruit Trees
California Tropical Fruit Tree Nursery is a family-owned growing nursery in Vista, about 45 minutes north of downtown San Diego. San Diego homeowners and landscapers come to us for mature, container-grown fruit trees up to 40 years old, many already producing fruit.
SoCal’s oldest fruit tree nursery
Mature trees up to 40 years old
Dozens of rare tropical varieties
Local pickup in Vista, CA
AT A GLANCE
The San Diego Fruit Tree Nursery With the Biggest, Oldest Trees
If you are searching for a fruit tree nursery near San Diego, we are a North County grower that specializes in large, mature tropical and subtropical fruit trees. Everything we sell is grown on site in Vista, in the same Southern California climate your tree will live in.
We are a working growing nursery, not a garden center. You walk the rows, pick the exact tree you want, and our team loads it into your truck or trailer.
Quick Facts
Location: 2081 Elevado Road, Vista, CA 92084 (North San Diego County)
Distance from San Diego: About 48 miles / 55 minutes from downtown via I-15
Hours: Tue–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 10am–4pm, closed Mon
Appointments: Not needed; walk-ins welcome
Phone: 760-434-5085
Tree sizes: Mature, container-grown trees up to 40 years old
Pickup: Local pickup only; no shipping or delivery
Payment: Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express
WHY SAN DIEGO DRIVES TO VISTA
Why San Diego Gardeners Choose Our Nursery
People drive in from all over San Diego County, from Chula Vista to Carlsbad, for trees they cannot find at a big-box garden center.
OLDEST
Southern California’s Oldest Fruit Tree Nursery
No other fruit tree business in Southern California has been growing longer. Decades of experience go into every tree we sell.
40 YEARS
Mature Trees Up to 40 Years Old
We are the only nursery with mature fruit trees up to 40 years old, so you can plant an established tree instead of waiting years for a sapling.
LOCAL
Grown in the San Diego Climate
Our trees are grown in Vista’s mild coastal-inland climate and handle temperatures from about 30°F to 110°F, just like San Diego County yards.
SELECTION
Rare Varieties in Volume
From lychee and longan to jaboticaba and wax jambu, we stock hard-to-find trees and help landscapers source large quantities.
OUR FRUIT TREES
Every Fruit Tree We Grow for San Diego Yards
Here is our full lineup. Click any variety to see sizes and details, or browse our live inventory. Availability changes through the season, so call ahead if you are driving in for something specific.
Tropical & Subtropical Fruit Trees
The rare, warm-climate trees we are known for.
Citrus Trees
Year-round staples for every San Diego yard.
GROWING GUIDE
The Best Fruit Trees for Your Part of San Diego County
San Diego has several microclimates. Here is a starting point; our growers can recommend specific trees for your yard when you visit.
COASTAL
La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Coronado, Del Mar & Encinitas
Mild temperatures and marine-layer mornings with few frosts.
Good picks: avocado, citrus, guava, cherimoya, passion fruit, dragon fruit and fig.
INLAND VALLEYS
Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, San Marcos & Vista
Warmer summers and more heat, which many tropical fruits love.
Good picks: mango, lychee, longan, sapote, avocado, citrus and persimmon.
EAST COUNTY
El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Alpine & Ramona
Hot summers and cooler winter nights.
Good picks: pomegranate, fig, persimmon, jujube, stone fruit and citrus.
SERVING ALL OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
From Balboa Park to the Safari Park, San Diego Shops Here
Our customers come from every corner of San Diego. Whether you live near Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, by the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park, along Mission Bay, or out by Torrey Pines and La Jolla Cove, our Vista nursery is an easy day trip up I-15 or I-5.
We are just west of Interstate 15 in North County, between the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido and Legoland in Carlsbad. Many customers pair a nursery visit with a stop at nearby Alta Vista Botanical Gardens or Guajome Regional Park.
Neighborhoods & Cities We Serve
Downtown San Diego · Gaslamp Quarter · North Park · Hillcrest · Mission Valley · Point Loma · Pacific Beach · La Jolla · Clairemont · Mira Mesa · Scripps Ranch · Rancho Bernardo · Poway · Rancho Peñasquitos · Carmel Valley · Del Mar · Solana Beach · Encinitas · Carlsbad · Oceanside · San Marcos · Escondido · Ramona · Santee · El Cajon · La Mesa · Lakeside · Chula Vista · National City · Coronado · Bonita
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
How to Get to Our Nursery from San Diego
Our address is 2081 Elevado Road, Vista, CA 92084. Enter it into your map app and it will take you right up our driveway; parking is at the top on the right side.
FASTEST ROUTE
From Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park & Mission Valley
Take CA-163 North to I-15 North.
Stay on I-15 North for about 40 miles, past Escondido.
Take exit 41 for Gopher Canyon Road and head west.
Follow Gopher Canyon Road about 7 miles to Elevado Road.
About 48 miles · roughly 55 minutes without heavy traffic.
COASTAL ROUTE
From La Jolla, Del Mar & the Coast
Take I-5 North along the coast.
Head inland toward Vista on the route your map app suggests.
Or take I-15 North to the Gopher Canyon Road exit, which is often faster in traffic.
About 40–48 miles · roughly 1 hour from La Jolla.
NORTH COUNTY
From Escondido, Rancho Bernardo & Poway
Take I-15 North.
Exit at Gopher Canyon Road (exit 41) and head west.
Continue about 7 miles to Elevado Road.
Roughly 20–35 minutes depending on where you start.
Before You Drive Up
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9am–4pm, Sunday 10am–4pm, closed Monday.
Bring the right vehicle: Mature trees are big. A pickup truck or trailer works best. We load your trees; securing them is up to you.
Large order? Call ahead at 760-434-5085 so we can set aside time.
FAQ
San Diego Fruit Tree Nursery FAQs
Is there a fruit tree nursery near San Diego?
Yes. California Tropical Fruit Tree Nursery is in Vista, in North San Diego County, about 48 miles and 55 minutes north of downtown San Diego via I-15. We specialize in mature tropical, subtropical and citrus fruit trees grown on site.
How far is the nursery from downtown San Diego?
About 48 miles, or roughly 55 minutes without heavy traffic. Take CA-163 North to I-15 North, exit at Gopher Canyon Road (exit 41), and head west about 7 miles to Elevado Road.
Do you deliver or ship fruit trees to San Diego?
No. All sales are local pickup at our Vista nursery. Our team will load the trees into your vehicle or trailer, and you are welcome to send your landscaper or arrange your own carrier.
Do I need an appointment to visit?
No appointment is needed. We are open Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm, and closed Monday. For large orders, call 760-434-5085 so we can set aside time for you.
How big and how old are your fruit trees?
We grow mature, container-grown fruit trees up to 40 years old, and many are already flowering or fruiting. Container growing makes them easier to transport and plant.
How soon will my tree produce fruit?
Most trees produce fruit about 2 to 3 years after planting while they establish their roots. Because we sell mature trees, some are already bearing fruit when you buy them.
What fruit trees grow best in San Diego?
Avocado, citrus, fig, guava, cherimoya, passion fruit and dragon fruit do well near the coast. Warmer inland areas like Escondido and Poway suit mango, lychee, longan and sapote. Pomegranate, persimmon and jujube thrive in East County heat.
Can I grow mango or lychee in San Diego?
Many San Diego gardeners do, especially in warm, frost-free inland spots. Our growers can help you choose the right variety and location when you visit.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. A 4% surcharge applies to credit card purchases.
Do you work with landscapers and contractors?
Yes. We regularly supply landscapers, contractors and developers across San Diego County and can help source large quantities. Ask about current multi-tree discounts.
Plan Your Trip from San Diego
Walk our growing grounds in Vista and take home a mature fruit tree that is already on its way to producing. No appointment needed.