By Allison Arieff, Sunset, Editor at Large

A few days ago, I had no need to buy plants but definitely had the urge to pop on over to Flora Grubb.

Named for its co-owner (could she have gone into any other business?), Flora Grubb is not only one of the grooviest, most sustainable, most-forward thinking nurseries on the planet, it is one of the greatest places around just to hang out.

They have an amazing selection of plants to be sure (specializing in palms, succulents and specimens that look as if they've come from another planet); they also have fantastic books on gardening and a wonderful array of garden-related stuff from twig-shaped candlesticks to owl lamps that glow from within. And if you go (and of course you're going to now, right?), you must have a coffee at the cafe inside run by Ritual Roasters. It's not called "ritual" for nothing.

Off the beaten path, but just right off the "T" streetcar line in San Francisco, this not-so-secret anymore garden is definitely worth the trip.

[All photos by Marion Brenner]