Lavender Festival at Highland Springs Resort

The Tenth Annual Lavender Festival was held the last two weekends at Highland Springs Resort in Cherry Valley, and I’d never been before, but I love lavender, so I decided to drop by on Sunday. I had no idea what to expect, and it was much grander than I could have imagined!

Set on a 2400 acre ranch of mostly pristine California land, the property contains a working organic farm and the Grand Oak Restaurant and Bar. And the “grand oak” referenced in the restaurant’s name? It’s on the property as well, and is at least 1100 years old. A massive old oak, it’s trunk is burned on one side, evidence of a fire or two in the past. But it’s still strong and healthy, despite the damage. Just like the state of California!

Butterfly on Lavender // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

I loved this butterfly so much, I cropped the image on the left below, to get the larger version above. But if I was ever to print it, I would print the full frame below really big, so the butterfly would really stand out!

Butterfly // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsLavender at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Tourists pose for photos at the Lavender Festival // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Festival-goers posing for photos in the middle of the lavender fields.

Olive Trees // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Lavender at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsLeaves of an Olive Tree // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Olive Tree Leaves // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsGrowing Lavender in Southern California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

The Grand Oak // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

The Grand Oak at Highland Springs Ranch // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsOak Tree Branch

Burned Grand Oak // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsThousand-Year-Old Oak Tree // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Sage Brush in Southern California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Bee in the Sage Brush // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsSheep at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Southern California Lavender Farm // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Rows of Lavender at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

I concentrated mostly on the ranch itself – it’s so beautiful! But they also had booths with all the products they make from the lavender, lots of food, live music, and a lovely place to sit under a canopy of trees and just soak up the atmosphere!

And when I got home? I got a call that I had won a $25 gift certificate to their Grand Oak Restaurant and Bar!

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