Perhaps what you're really looking for is a Grecian bay. I've never heard of Turkish bay.

You can use the CA bay for cooking but the flavor and intensity are different from the classic cooking bay, which is the Grecian. Most nurseries carry it in 4" pots with the other herbs. In spring at any rate, maybe not right now. Sometimes I see them in 1 g cans too. You're looking for Laurus nobilis for cooking. CA bay is Umbellularia californica or something like that. I can't see any need to drive a few hours to find one, if you're in Seattle.

Ask for Laurus nobilis, the traditional Grecian bay laurel for cooking. Can become a very large tree.

By the way, leaves of the CA bay tree are often sold for cooking. (Check the labels next time you go to the store.)

Thank you so much for the feedback! The laurus nobilis apparently grows in Turkey and that is what I am looking for.

I am wondering if you ever found a source for a Grecian or Turkish bay leaf plant. I agree that the flavor of the Turkish bay leave are much better than the standard California variety.

Bay leaf tree, Laurus nobilis, starts are routinely sold at any Seattle area nursery. They are common landscape elements here.