Located just two hours from Seattle on the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim, Washington is known as the lavender capital of North America. It all started around 20 years ago when local farmers realized that the area’s micro-climate (specifically the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains) made Sequim the ideal place to grow lavender. Since then, the Sequim lavender farms have flourished into a nationally-known attraction. The annual Sequim Lavender Festival every July is the biggest tourist draw but there’s plenty to enjoy there all summer long.
Read on for all you need to know about this lavender paradise!
Getting to Sequim
Getting to Sequim from Seattle takes about two to three hours. The simplest option is to drive, but if you don’t have a car you can hop on the Bainbridge Ferry and then take the Strait Shot Bus to Sequim from the ferry terminal. You can even take the Dungeness Line Bus to Sequim from the Sea-Tac Airport.
Tip: If you plan to get there by bus, bring a bike if you can so you can easily get around Sequim!
Things to do in Sequim
The main thing to do in Sequim in July is visit the lavender farms and see the fields of lavender at peak bloom. However, you also may be able to enjoy the lavender during the end of June and early August. You can also visit U-pick berry farms in the summer.
Also, there are lots of things you can do in Sequim besides the lavender farms. Downtown Sequim is full of charming boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Every Saturday starting in May through October you can shop at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market. You can also catch a live performance at Olympic Theatre Arts. Outdoorsy folks will enjoy hiking through the forests and along the Dungeness Spit to the New Dungeness Lighthouse.
Peak bloom
Peak bloom for the lavender in Sequim is mid-July. Generally the first hint of purple comes to the fields in late June and then the lavender harvest season comes to an end in mid-August.
If you’re hoping to visit the lavender farms this summer, you can learn more information about the various lavender farms in Sequim here, including their visiting hours. Most of the lavender farms are free to visit.
Sequim Lavender Festival
The annual Sequim Lavender Festival takes place during the third weekend of July every year, coinciding with the lavender’s peak bloom. In 2025, the festival dates are July 18 through July 20. There will be live music, food vendors, farm tours, and of course, plenty of lavender and lavender-themed products for you to take home. For all the details you can visit the festival website before you go.