Stop and smell the lavender at these California places
Craving a bit of Provence without having to get on a plane? It’s not the South of France, but the delicious aroma of lavender can be found around a number of spots in Southern and Central California thanks to our similar climate.
On Saturday, the Central Coast Lavender fest in downtown Paso Robles will feature products, plant care and a“distillation†demonstration. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature “lavender cuisine†as well as plant demonstrations. Admission is free.
Through the end of July, you can visit the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center (northern San Diego County) and peruse the gift shop or pop in for tea.( The shop is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, and the tea house is open Fridays through Sundays.) (760) 742-3844
In late June, I stopped in at the annual Lavender Festival at Highland Springs Ranch & Inn near Beaumont.
“I collect lavender festivals,†one visitor, holding a purplish shopping bag filled with goodies, told me. “I’ve been to gorgeous farms in Washington and Oregon, but I really learned a lot today about all this.â€
Me too, thanks to friendly open-air presentations on lavender’s history (ancient), varieties (hundreds) and distillation process (hard work and a lot of lavender buds to make that essential oil). Samples of lotions, oils and sprays were offered, and their uses explained.
Elsewhere on the ranch, shady groves beckon with plenty of seating, food and drink booths (think lavender beer, cheesecake and ice cream; even beef brisket with lavender onion jam), live music, crafts for kids and a horse-drawn wagon tour.
Plus, there were rotating seminars on self-healing or how to grow lavender, an organic market offering dozens of aromatherapy and other lavender products and innumerable photo ops amid the alluring fields of organic lavender under breezy blue skies.
According to its official history, Highland Springs Resort was originally a stagecoach stop; it later became a health resort in the 1920s. Though the festival has passed, you can still book a Lavender Lover’s Escape that comes with a massage and lavender cocktails, starting at $339 a night.
And mark your calendar for next year’s festival.
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