Vallecitos isn’t only interested in providing water but being responsible users of it by example. Studies have determined that the majority of water use in the region is dedicated outdoors. As a way to rectify and encourage responsible water use, the District sponsors three waterwise demonstration gardens within its boundaries.  The Sustainable Demonstration Garden in front of the District’s San Marcos Administration building demonstrates the environmental benefits of using rain water harvesting, California friendly plants and solar power. The other gardens on display at the City of San Marcos’ Jack’s Pond Park and the San Marcos Historical Society's Heritage Park (located within the City's Walnut Grove Park) demonstrate the variety, beauty and adaptability of California native plants that require little to no irrigation.

• Sustainable Demonstration Garden  
  located at 201 Vallecitos de Oro in San Marcos
• California native plant garden at Jack’s Pond Park  
  located at 986 La Moree Road in San Marcos
• Victorian formal California native plant garden at Heritage Park located 1950 Sycamore Drive
  in San Marcos 

To further your interest in California-friendly gardening, we recommend touring these additional waterwise demonstration gardens:

• San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas
• Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College (Video)

The District periodically offers free waterwise gardening classes. To be placed on an interest list to be notified of future classes, sign up for e-news.