Graceful, purple-hued rows of sweet-smelling lavender transport us to romantic European destinations—the south of France or the hill-clinging villages of Tuscany. Breathtaking scenery aside, lavender has long been coveted for its pleasurable impact on nearly all the senses—from taste and aroma to its calming qualities. You don’t have to travel all the way to Provence to celebrate the purple, just head to the purple-splashed countryside of Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm in Lompoc, located in California’s bucolic Santa Barbara County.
LIVING THE LAVENDER LIFESTYLE
Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm invites guests to immerse themselves in a sea of purple while they choose from a series of lavender-inspired events beginning in July and continuing through Labor Day weekend.
Lavender lovers learn about production, including how lavender is ground, harvested, distilled and turned into a variety of amazing products. Visitors can also gain insight into “all things lavender” that this boutique, family-owned farm offers in celebration of its second year open to the public.
Lavender Tours, Classes
As part of this lavender experience, travelers can engage in a host of lavender and farm activities, including farm tours, classes in lavender wreath making, watercolor painting, yoga in the lavender fields followed by afternoon tea, and can savor in lavender and honey flight tastings. Planned for August is the Farm’s lavender distillation classes. After a picturesque lunch overlooking the fields, visitors can head to the farm to purchase an array of products to take home. Everything, from fresh lavender bunches, body lotion, essential oils, sugar, salt, vinegar and olive oil, are all infused with fragrant lavender derived from the mint family. Check here to reserve events and classes.
Make a Lavender Wreath
At the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm you can learn how to DIY a lavender wreath. With local winemaker and floral designer Amber Hogan, you will walk through the lavender fields to harvest stems and then, under the shade of the oak trees, you will learn step-by-step how to make your very own lavender wreath. All the materials for wreathmaking are included in the cost of reserving your space at the event. The event will take place Saturday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m.
Paint your masterpiece at the Lavender Farm
Take a watercolor painting class at the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm with Art Spot! Immerse yourself in a full-sensory experience as a talented artist takes you step-by-step through the painting process of creating a landscape masterpiece as you take in the beautiful lavender fields. No previous painting experience is necessary. The price to reserve a spot in the class will include the cost of materials as well as a complimentary drink. The class will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 16th.
Honey Tasting at the Farm
The farm will be hosting a day of honey tasting on Sunday, July 30th from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the top of every hour. Guests will be able to sample different varieties of local honey. The flavors are unique and exciting, including lavender, orange blossom chaparral, and more!
ABOUT SANTA RITA HILLS LAVENDER FARM
Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is nestled on 8.5 acres and boasts stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the Farm. The Farm is a labor of love created by mother/son team Denise and Lucas Neumann, and was established in May 2020 at the height of the pandemic. The Farm grows 3000+ lavender plants and produces 20,000 bundles of five-gallon essential lavender oil and boasts more than 2 acres of agriculture produce along with California native plants, seasonal specialty cut flowers and produce using regenerative farming practices. Denise used her experiences as an assistant market manager of the Beverly Hills Farmers Market, and her credentials as a Master Gardener to bring back blooms to create a 1/4 acre of seasonal cut flowers! The lush lavender fields are surrounded by pomegranate, crab apples, blackberries, squash, herbs and seasonal vegetables. Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except Tuesdays with hours subject to change, and is located at 1900 Tularosa Road in Lompoc California. Find more information about Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm here.
ABOUT LOMPOC
Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own. Its valley setting, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road, and explore what’s around the bend. Besides lavender romps, Lompoc is a destination for wine tasting, golf, cycling, hiking, skydiving, birding, and surfing at nearby Jalama Beach. It is home to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the most fully restored and furnished of the 21 California missions, and adjacent to Vandenberg Air Force Base, where rockets are launched throughout the year by such entities as NASA, SpaceX, and ULA, to name a few.
To discover more about the Lompoc Valley, and other things to see and do, visit: www.explorelompoc.com.
Photos courtesy Explore Lompoc
