Sequim Lavender Farms – On the Lavender Trail

If traveling to the famous lavender fields of Provence is not in your near future, not to worry….. you can experience the beautiful countryside, sea views, and lavender right here in the Pacific Northwest. The Sequim Lavender Trail offers a vibrant, immersive experience that has transformed this small community into the “Lavender Capital of North America”.

Sequim is located on the northern portion of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It has the benefit of being in the “rain shadow” of the Olympic Mountains, affording it a much drier climate than most of the surrounding Puget Sound. The 16 inches of annual rainfall closely matches the Mediterranean conditions found in Provence, France, a climate in which lavender thrives.

Lavender farming began in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley in the mid 1990s as an initiative to preserve farmland and bolster local tourism. What started with five farms has blossomed into almost two dozen, making the valley a purple-hued mosaic every summer.

The Sequim Lavender Trail is not a hiking path, but a scenic driving and cycling route that connects an array of open-to-the-public lavender farms, especially from late June through mid-August, when the fields are in peak bloom. Each stop is unique, reflecting the personality and vision of its owners and the distinctive character of the surrounding land. https://sequimlavender.org

Visitors can wander through fragrant fields, pick their own bouquets, take guided tours, and watch demonstrations of lavender distillation and product making. Each farm operates its own shop, showcasing artisan products such as essential oils, bath and culinary goods, dried bouquets, and more. It is fun to explore the individual shops, taking in the unique “feel” of each farm.

The highlight of the summer is the Sequim Lavender Festival https://www.lavenderfestival.com, held annually on the third weekend of July, featuring live music, local food, hundreds of artisan vendors, and special events on the farms. A couple highlights of the Lavender Trail include:

Jardin du Soleil Laender Farm: A certified organic farm with Victorian gardens and a lovely panoramic view. If it is clear, you can see the tip of Mt. Baker in the distance. https://www.jardindusoleil.com

Lavender Connection: Known for its diversity of lavender varieties, along with distilling demonstrations and a U-Cut experience. The big historic barn makes a wonderful backdrop for the 50 varieties of lavender grown. https://www.lavenderconnection.com

B & B Family Lavender Farm: A 3 generation lavender farm popular for its free tours, historic barn and artisanal products. The rows of lavender look surreal with the Olympic Mountains providing an amazing background. https://www.bbfamilyfarm.com

The Sequim Lavender Trail is an emblem of community collaboration, natural beauty, and agricultural innovation – inviting visitors to discover not just stunning fields, but also a dynamic region where stories, traditions, and the scent of lavender intermingle.

Inspired by our field trip to Sequim, I have come up with the perfect Lavender Lemon Scone Recipe. I you long for a fresh, buttery, scone with notes of citrus and lavender, you may want to check out my recipe. https://northwestfrench.com/lavender-lemon-scone-simple-brunch/