Hi Lisa. As far as meetings for a gardening club in your area, I suggest contacting some nurseries in your area or posting something on the California forum.

Over on the California forum, on the "Exchanges" side you will often see someone from the southern CA area organizing a plant swap. However, most of these take place in the spring and early summer. You just have to check in on the CA Exchange forum now and then. I've been to several and hope to host one as soon as I retire. Plant swaps have been held in Redlands, Costa Mesa, Norco, Buena Park, Fontana, south Orange County and probably elsewhere. The "Coversations" side of the same forum will also sometimes get folks together to raid a designated nursery.

Additionally, there are garden tours in the southern CA area every spring. You just have to keep your eyes and ears open for them. One of my favorite spring garden tours is the MaryLou Heard Memorial Garden Tour which usually occurs in May. It's free and you can contact someone at this site for more information: MaryLou Heard Memorial Garden Tour

Stella_Blue (Mary) of the GW organized the below group a couple of years ago for locals but there isn't much activity on the board now.

Here is a link that might be useful: Southern CA Fun Gardening Club

any central ca gardeners out there?