Kuma Bonsai Nursery

One of San Diego’s true gems.
I came across Kuma from reading the «Hidden San Diego» blog — which by the way is filled with amazing sites to see in and around SD. Kuma is a bit off the beaten path, but the very best things always are.
This nursery isn’t in a fancy shop or in some remote stunning location. It isn’t Walmart or Home Depot — so if that is what you are looking for then I’m sorry you just won’t find it among the owner’s nearly endless rows of gorgeous plants. Her nursery, is in a residential area at the back of her home.
There are no fancy lights or shinny bobbles to dazzle costumers with nor any false promises. this nursery is plain and honest and holds to the aesthetic of wasbi sabi.
The owner’s name is Cindy and she is a beautiful soul who clearly knows the art of bonsai. During my visit, she walked me through the nursery discussing the pros and cons of a variety of plants. There were many great choices, but I was looking for a native tree. We finally settled on an Engelmann oak which was absolutely stunning and will make a great bonsai.
I am appreciative that Cindy was able to take so much time out of her schedule to discuss the art of bonsai and rock art with me as I learned a lot from her. Clearly, both art forms are passions for her.
Please keep in mind that you will need to bring cash as Kuma does not take credit cards and please be patient with parking as it is limited. I would also call ahead just in case there is an issue and Cindy isn’t available in the shop as she is her one and only employee.
Overall, if you are looking for a bonsai this is the place to go in San Diego.

Came here at 12:15pm on a Saturday, when they should be open, only to find that they were closed. Long drive out to be disappointed. It’s the job of a business to clearly notify potential customers of when a store will be unexpectedly closed. Could have put it on the website, or could have put it on the phone answering machine. I had high expectations but I was sadly disappointed. Would not recommend.

AMAZING!!! Cindy (the owner) is so helpful with any and all questions you may have about bonsai! She is sweet and very knowledgeable, and her nursery, which is the backyard of her residence, has a great variety of finished bonsai pieces for sale, stock plants (pre-​bonsai), a wide range of bonsai pots, and a stunning collection of bonsai that is part of her own collection.
Her prices are great, for the price you would pay at a home improvement store or a larger nursery for a generic bonsai, you can get an exceptional piece that has took a lot of time an effort to create.
She also gives one on one lessons. I wanted to take lessons through a club in San Diego, but you had to be a member and the classes filled up really fast and you work on a specific type of tree as a group. Cindy, works with you to create a bonsai from a tree of your choosing, or helps you pick one that will work well in your living conditions (coastal vs. inland, how much sun). She teaches you techniques by hands on practice as well as teaching you the reasoning behind why each technique is used. In this way you can take home a bonsai that you create yourself, and you can visit her and ask any questions you may have about your bonsai.
Bonsai is an art from and Cindy is an amazing artist and teacher, I highly recommend visiting and taking a class with her.

Thank you Kuma Bonsai. Cindy is so knowledgeable and friendly. With this drought in California she has helped me choose beautiful drought tolerant plants friendly to hummingbirds and butterflies. Her expertise on Bonsai is immeasurable. This is a truly unique nursery with so much to choose from. Beautiful Bonsai $ 150, unique pots $ 20 to…, knowledge given for an oasis in my backyard PRICELESS!!! Cindy is truly a gem. I could only give 5 stars but this is definitely a 10 star business

Bonsai experienced, very nice owner –Cindy. Love her succulents! Worth the drive from Los Angeles. Will be coming back.

Well, I can’t review either the plants or the service. Why? BECAUSE IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND PARKING TO GET IN HERE!!! Okay, it’s in a residential neighborhood — I get that. But there seem to be exactly two parking spaces out front — one taken up by a work truck, one by an SUV. No street parking on either side of the street. No public parking for miles around. And not only does the website not give you any hints as to where to park, but my husband called and ASKED if they were open, they said yes — but didn’t bother to mention that once we got there, there would be no place to park!
I like supporting small local businesses, but they have to be small local businesses with a least a grain of some type of common sense!
So irritated at taking the time to drive out there for nothing that I don’t know if we will ever go back. You can have the greatest products on earth at wonderful prices, but if the first thing you do is torque off your potential customers, it really doesn’t matter.

Looking for a «real’ bonsai for a gift or for yourself. Then go to Kuma Bonsai nursery. A HUGE selection of Bonsai, landscape Bonsai and other materials for Bonsai. The only one of it’s kind in all of San Diego that I know of. Once you see these Bonsai and compare them to other so called Bonsai you might have seen at your general nursery-you’ll now understand how you’re being ripped off at those places. This is the real deal at Kuma. Cindy– the owner, has been doing this all her life and her art shows it. She’s knowledgeable, friendly and will help you keep your little piece of living art alive. If you’re looking for a unique gift, check this place out.