You are right on the edge of 800 hours for your area. I'd plant the pears and not worry about it. Some years you will get pears and some you may not. Whoever told you that you only have 300 chill hours max is wrong.

Chilling hours by region

Northern California Inland Valleys
Dublin and Novato
Elevation 0 to 400 ft.
Chilling Hours - 500 to 800 hours

Coastal
From San Diego to Santa Barbara
Elevation 0 to 400 ft.
Chilling Hours - 100 to 300 hours

Coastal Valleys
Lemon Grove, Irvine, Brea, Whittier, Lakewood, Anaheim, Santa Ana
Elevation 400 to 800 ft.
Chilling Hours - 300 to 500 hours

Foothills & Inland Valleys
El Cajon, Temecula, Riverside, San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Glendora
Elevation 600 to 1200 ft.
Chilling Hours - 500 to 700 hours

Low Desert
Palm Springs and Coachella Valley
Elevation 400 to 500 ft.
Chilling Hours - 200 to 400 hours

Mountains & High Desert
Elevation 1200 ft. and above
Chilling Hours - 600 plus hours

Here is a link that might be useful: Vegetable Garden Answers Here

Thanks for the info. I won't return the plant and give it a try. I got the info for the chill hours from a chart on the Pacific Groves nursery website, maybe not accurate. It's good to know that I have a lot more chill hours than I thought. Thanks again.

Silvia

I am of the opinion that Bartlett Pears need closer to 500 hours. I also understand that about 500 hours is what you can expect in most of the San Fernando Valley.

I live in Thousand Oaks, and my Bartlett bears heavy every year. I know that I don't get anywhere near 800 hours of chill or I would have better luck with cherries. Plant your Bartlett and enjoy.

Santa Rosa Plumbs do especially well throughout the San Fernando Valley. Plant it and enjoy.

Keiffer Pears do better in low chill areas than Bartlett, but you don't need to plant it and the flavor and texture is not nearly as good.

Often, you don't get fruit trees that are really correct for your location from big box stores, but you got lucky. Next time try Green Thumb Nursery on Sepulveda for a great selection that will actually bear hear.

Silvia, I live close to you and have a Santa Rosa plum and Barlett pear that bear each year. The only two problems I have with these trees are: there is some die-back of branches with the pear in winter and leaves scorched in summer; and the plum is in the front yard where passersby think it's o.k. to steal the fruit. Definitely plant and enjoy your fruit trees!