Wellburn Gourd Farm

Make sure to check out our list of Hidden Gems in Fallbrook!

About the Wellburn Gourd Farm

Who would have thought that the world’s largest producer of hard-shelled gourds would be right here in San Diego County?  Located in the most magical land at the northernmost tip of San Diego in a special place called De Luz sits the lovely Wellburn Gourd Farm.

Their offerings are wide and include classes, a beautifully-curated shop, farm tours, overnight stays in their historic cottages, private and public events, a mini farm and more!

Stay

Here are their AirBnb’s:

airbnb.com/h/theheritagehousefallbrook  //  airbnb.com/h/thegourdhouse

airbnb.com/h/thesunflowerhouseheritage  //  airbnb.com/h/thefarmhouseheritage

The ultimate way to heighten your experience here is to spend the night here!  I can tell you firsthand how amazing it is to fall asleep in the middle of a lush oak forest and awake to it as well.  No sounds but the wind and wildlife.  It was perfection.  Learn more about how to book a stay HERE. 

We stayed in their Farm House which was built in the early 1900’s and was the original owner’s home. I loved the vintage details of the home and had fun imagining what it must have been like for them to raise their family here.

Each home has been thoughtfully updated with a curated, eclectic style and cozy touches that create a warm, inviting feel.

Classes

I absolutely LOVE that they offer art and workshop classes on their property.  Talk about one of the dreamiest classrooms ever! Check out the list of current classes they are offering HERE. These are taught by highly skilled artists who are here to share their trade secrets with you! 

Events

Their most well-known event is their annual Gourd & Art Festival which is held in May each year.  They do have other fun events though such as their Christmas event and many more to be created!  Check out their Events Calendar to see what’s coming up!

This is also the perfect property to host your own private event or have a wedding reception (next door hosts the actual wedding!).

Shop

There are many items you can purchase whether it be a freshly dried and clean gourd for your own designing, or a beautiful hand-crafted piece of art.  I purchased a soap dispenser that had been hand-carved and it’s such a beautiful addition to our home!

They also have an online shop for those who cannot physically come onto the property. Their shop is extensive so you will really need to click around their website to check all the pages out. Here is a good place to start.

Tours

Fun tours are offered of the entire property, winding through the hillsides and even stops by the original homesteader’s family cemetery. This was quite a fun adventure with gorgeous views.  Highly recommend!

History

The Day and Garnsey families were the original settlers of the farm, having arrived and homesteaded the land in 1880, with the official homestead document signed by President Harrison in 1892.

In the 1960s, after an inspiring trip to Hawaii, the Garnsey family began growing gourds, later expanding their operation in partnership with the Welburn family in the 1980s.

The property includes historical landmarks such as the original De Luz Canyon post office–known as the smallest in the country! It is now housed around the corner at the historical site of Fallbrook School House.

The farm’s history also includes the Garnsey Wildflower Gallery and contributions to the Fallbrook schoolhouse site, with Steve and Rosalee Garnsey passing away in 2018 and 2021, respectively. All the key family members are even buried on the property.

Mini Farm

They have an adorable mini farm which includes a pair of sweet dogs, donkeys, horses, goats, chickens, and a ton of cats that you will see exploring the property.  One of the cats just had kittens two weeks before we visited.  Such a treat to see them!