San Diego World Rose
Symposium 2027:
World Federation of Rose Societies Regional Convention &
American Rose Society
National Convention & Rose Show
Presented by the San Diego Rose Society
April 30 to May 4, 2027
We look forward to welcoming you to San Diego to celebrate, refresh and renew your love of roses at the San Diego World Rose Symposium!!
You will enjoy the company of other enthusiastic rosarians as we explore the wide range of rose growing choices we all have. Exciting speakers will be covering a variety of other topics as well, including hybridizing and garden design to ensure diverse rose culture, the health-giving properties of rose growing, and even some rose history. There will be opportunities to bond with exhibitors, rose conservationists and prominent rose mentors of the present and past, too.
The 5-day Symposium will be both the 2027 WFRS Regional Convention and the 2027 ARS Convention, and it will include America’s 2027 National Rose Show. It will be the first WFRS Convention to be held in the United States in over 25 years. Attendees will have an opportunity to attain or renew their ARS Consulting Rosarian designation. There will be a full day of garden exploration including some of San Diego’s best private rose gardens and the WFRS Garden of Excellence in Balboa Park, and attendees will join in the Grand Dinner-Dance Celebration of the San Diego Rose Society’s 100th Anniversary!
Join us as the love of roses is our universal language to help us transcend borders and preconceived notions for an amazing learning experience!
A Rose Paradise Awaits You in San Diego!
Whether you come for just the Symposium or incorporate the adjoining Pre- and Post-Tours to enjoy more gardens and cultural highlights of California, we are confident the event will be a dynamic, not-to-be-missed experience!
San Diego Rose Society
The San Diego Rose Society was founded in 1927, and has grown into one of the largest and most active rose societies in the United States. Our meetings are held in Balboa Park. The region is perfect weather for growing roses nearly year-round, and San Diego County is home to a large number of hobbyist rose growers.
World Renowned Speakers
The convention will feature talks from world-renowned botanists, hybridizers, authors, and growers. It’s a great place to catch up on the latest info about roses, and also to make connections with other top-tier rosarians.
Hotel
Our venue, an extension of the city’s relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, will be the world-renowned Bahia Resort Hotel, located on a sandy Mission Bay beach, three blocks from the Pacific Ocean.
Registration at the discounted Symposium hotel rate opens June 15, 2026.
Whether you are interested in local tours of private gardens or public parks, you won’t want to miss the chance to do one of the convention tours. You will sign up for these as part of your registration or as a later add-on. Space is limited.
Symposium Program
Friday, April 30, A Learning Day
Morning and afternoon lectures cover rose history, soil and water, pests and diseases, Integrated Pest Management, heritage roses and the benefits of rose care for rose growers. Enjoy a Welcome Lunch with fellow attendees on the Palm Terrace.
Saturday, May 1, A Rose Show Day
Dynamic learning sessions built around the mid-day opening of the National Rose Show will include Rose Judging, Showing Roses, Photography and Arrangement Tips, Tool Care, Helping Others Grow Good Roses, and Making Optimum Fertilizing Choices. Mingle with Judges, Exhibitors and other rosarians at a Hosted Lunch.
Sunday, May 2, A Celebration Day
Hybridizers, including Tom Carruth and Ping Lim, and Rose Growers including Tyler Francis will talk about the past, present and future of our beloved flower. Other topics will include chemical safety as part the core rose care curriculum. A longer lunch break will be featured to allow attendees to explore local dining options, and the evening’s 1927-themed SDRS Centennial Anniversary and ARS Awards Dinner Celebration promises to be magical.
Monday, May 3, A Garden Tour Day
Local Rosarians’ garden tours will be featured surrounding our tour of the Balboa Park Rose Garden with a Catered Lunch and free time in the park. Breakfast snacks will be provided, and the day’s events will wrap up with a Cocktail Reception back at the hotel featuring a presentation by noted garden designer Paul Zimmerman.
Tuesday, May 4, A Gala Closing Day
Morning lectures will cover chemical-free rose growing choices and the latest innovations in biological pest controls as attendees enjoy a Gala Brunch, rare rose auction, and the WFRS Closing Ceremony to wrap-up the event.
Registration for the Symposium and Pre- and Post-Tours
opens June 15, 2026.
Pre-Tours
Three 1-day Pre-Tours are scheduled, all in the San Diego area so you can enjoy the sights without too much time on the road. You can sign up for each tour separately to pick and choose the activities that most appeal to you.
Tuesday, April 27, Sights of San Diego Bay and Coronado
You will visit the Cabrillo National Monument and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse with their sweeping views of the city, the bay and the Pacific Ocean. A visit to the San Diego Maritime Museum is also planned, along with Hosted Lunch near the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Visits to the home gardens of two or more of San Diego’s best rosarians are also planned. The tour will include breakfast snacks and afternoon snacks, and of course we will take the scenic route!
Wednesday, April 28, San Diego Botanic Garden and Coastal Sights
The San Diego Botanic Garden in the San Diego area’s Northern Coastal region displays more than 5,000 plant varieties and has 15 gardens that represent different areas of the world. The tour will include Hosted Lunch at a waterfront restaurant in nearby Del Mar and a scenic ride between those attractions and visits to two or more of our best rosarians’ home gardens. Breakfast snacks and afternoon tea snacks will be provided.
Thursday, April 29, San Diego Zoo Visit, Including a Botanical Tour
The “World Famous San Diego Zoo” is celebrated for both its fauna and flora. Our visit will include a 90-Minute Botanical Bus Tour as well as a Catered Lunch and free time to enjoy more of the zoo on your own. Breakfast snacks will be provided, and on the way back to the hotel you’ll enjoy a stop at yet another lovely home garden, where you can enjoy a side of wine and cheese with the roses.
Post-Tour
We are fortunate to have renowned rose expert and tour planner Paul Zimmerman leading our comfortably-paced 8-day post tour. Throughout the tour he will share insights on rose growing, garden design and sustainable practices while guiding participants through some of Southern California’s most beautiful and interesting gardens and landscapes and other unique destinations.
The Wednesday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 12 itinerary will include a visit and garden tour with Hybridizer Ping Lim, a visit to the legendary Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, an excursion to Hollywood with a stop at the TCL (formerly Grauman’s) Chinese Theater, a tour of the Getty Center Gardens, and a visit to the historic Virginia Robinson Gardens. The Central Coast portion of the trip will include visits to Otto & Sons Nursery, Rose Story Farm, and Neuhaus Farms, all major producers of roses in the US, each with unique charms. Iconic Hearst Castle and Warner Brothers Studios will round out your adventure. Lodging at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena and the Cambria Pines Lodge will be included in the tour, and dining opportunities will be a combination of hosted and on-your-own meals with recommendations to guide you. The tour will leave from and return to the Bahia Resort Hotel, with a hosted farewell dinner with your fellow garden enthusiasts and a comfy room for the final night included in the tour.
The size of the Symposium and the Pre- and Post Tours will be limited to ensure a quality experience.
