How wonderful as an American that we don’t need to travel all the way to France for splendid purple fields of lavender. In Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, the Sequim-Dungeness Valley has blossomed into the Lavender Capital of North America. Every July, the Sequim Lavender Festival celebrates this beautiful herb. And the extraordinary Dungeness Spit jets out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I enjoyed my day in Sequim, going to both the lavender festival and spit. Here are the highlights.
Sequim is located in Washington state’s Olympic peninsula, along the Dungeness River and close to the Olympic Mountains. It’s within the rain shadow, near the wettest temperate rainforest in the U.S. and therefore, called Sunny Sequim. The unique climate is conducive for growing lavender, and therefore, Sequim celebrates the Lavender Festival every 3rd full weekend of July. In addition, near the Dungeness Spit is Sequim on Strait of Juan de Fuca. This unique spit is 5 miles (8km) long and the longest sand spit in the U.S.
Sequim Directions: From the Puget Sound area, take a Washington State Ferry, such as, Seattle/Bainbridge Island or Edmonds/Kingston. Take Hwy 104 to Hwy 101 for 21 miles to Sequim. Take the Washington Street, Sequim Ave. or River Road exits to Sequim.
Sequim Lavender Festival
In 1996 the first few farms brought their lavender from the Sequim prairies to the markets. This was all part of a plan to revitalize the prairies with beautiful lavender, instead of losing them to commercial development. Firstly, from 1995-8 there were 8 lavender farms. Since then, more than 30 lavender farms have been established. Over the past 25 years, this has progressed to the extraordinary status: Lavender Capital of North America. Even more, it’s said to rival France. The Sequim-Dungeness Valley has become a prolific agricultural business, along with cultural and culinary tourism. The spectacular annual Sequim Lavender Festival runs the third long weekend of July.
I enjoyed a morning at the Sequim Lavender Festival, embracing the multi-facets of this aromatic light purple herb. Walking around, there are many exhibits to learn and discover the therapeutic and delicious properties of lavender. Lavender has relaxing properties to reduce stress. And its dried purple bundles are decorative. Plus, not to leave out how wonderful it tastes. I tasted Lavender treasures, such as, ice cream, cookies, chocolates and a latte. Loving the taste of Lavender, I went all out and bought Lavender body lotion and chocolates for my takeaway treats.
Overall, it is a very relaxing ambience, harmonizing with the theme of this calming herb. I walked through fields, barns and listened to musicians. There was a photographer doing photos in the lavender fields, so I took advantage of this as a reminder of my beautiful day.
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge – Dungeness Spit
Fun Fact & Tip: A spit is a beach extended out into sea and joined to the mainland from one end. It is formed by consistent winds blowing at an angle to the coast, resulting in a longshore drift. The best time to walk the spit is during low tide, because there’s more land to explore.
The Dungeness Spit is a must-see if you’re in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley. Just 6 miles north of Sequim this is a wonderful place for a unique experience connecting with nature.
The Dungeness Spit is 5 miles long, extending into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. So, walking to the end and back is 10-11 miles. Even more, it’s the longest spit in the U.S. and part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. The New Dungeness Lighthouse is at the tip, to help navigation of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Interestingly, the spit grows 15 feet (4.6 m) per year. It was very windy when I was there. I wandered solo for hours, but never made it to the lighthouse. Overall, it’s very invigorating to be engulfed by the refreshing sea winds and gorgeous views from all directions. There is fascinating driftwood and rocks of all shapes and sizes to explore along the sandy spit.
Overall, Sequim Lavender Festival and Dungeness Spit
Naturally, you could see both the festival and spit in a day or stay a couple days. There is so much to do in the area. How wonderful that this trip takes you to the purple heart of agriculture and the maritime beauty of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A wonderful way to experience the full spectrum of land and sea.
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