FAQs about Visiting Bees N Blooms
Q: What does it cost?
During lavender bloom, we require reservations. Tickets are $20 per person for those over 12. Admission for children 12 and under accompanied by a parent is free. Tickets can be purchased through our Online Store. Other times during the year, it’s free to visit the farm.
Q: I’m highly allergic to bee stings and need to use an epi-pen if I get stung. Is it OK to visit Bees N Blooms?
A: If you are highly allergic to bee stings and need to use an epi-pen if you are stung, we generally recommend that you plan to visit at a time other than peak lavender bloom. There are bees on the property and they visit the lavender. A sting is unlikely, but possible. If you choose to visit during this time period, please be sure to bring your epi-pen and avoid the lavender and beehive areas. The Pavilion has a good vantage point of the property, with less chance of a sting. If you do get stung, call 911 immediately. The Bees N Blooms business number is (707) 293-8293. Please call us too so we can help.
Q: Will the bees on the flowers bother me or my child?
A: We have bees on the property, both native bees and managed honey bee colonies. You will see them foraging on the lavender and in the flower arcs. Forager bees are not normally aggressive–they are only out looking for food. However, if you try to touch them or if you try to walk through a lavender bush with bees on it, there is a chance you will be stung. Parents should be sure to keep children on the pathways and not allow them to run through the lavender or across the flower beds. Avoid wearing scented products or flower crowns that might attract bees, and wear close-toed shoes. Stay on the paths and avoid brushing up against flowers with bees on them. Give the beehives a wide berth and stay outside the flagged areas near the hives.
Q: Where do I park?
A: Please pull inside the farm gate near the farm stand and follow the signs to areas reserved for parking. Do not park on the side of Petaluma Hill Road or you may be towed. Download the map of the farm to see the parking areas. There is a space reserved for wheelchair access just inside the gate near the farm stand and another behind the Pavilion. Be careful of the traffic on Petaluma Hill Road when entering or exiting the property.
Q: Can I bring my dog to Bees N Blooms?
A: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on open-farm days, but not at private events. If you do bring a dog, we ask that you keep them on leash at all times—we have cats, chickens, geese, and ducks that may be out and about, and we want them to stay safe. Please bring supplies to clean up after your dog. And please don’t allow your pet to use the turf areas in the Labyrinth or North Pavilion as a bathroom. People love to sit on the grass and we want to keep it free of waste. To prevent food crop contamination, dogs are not permitted in the vegetable garden at all.
Q: Can I allow my children to play unsupervised on the farm while I walk the Labyrinth or shop?
A: No. Children must be supervised at all times. Bees N Blooms is a working farm, and farming involves the use of sharp tools, garden hoses, building materials, tractors, lawn mowers, and rodent traps. We do our best to keep these objects out of the way of visitors, but curious children (or adults!) exploring off the beaten path may encounter them. Parents should be sure their children are under control at all times. Please do not let children play on the tractor.
Q: Can I fly my drone on the property?
A: Not during open-farm days. To ensure the safety of all of our guests, drones may not be used when we are open to the public. See our Photography web page for more information on private photography appointments.
Q: Do I have to wear a mask while at the farm?
A: We follow the mask requirements set by Sonoma County. Currently, Sonoma County does not require masks.
Q: Are the farm grounds accessible to those with limited mobility?
A: Yes, reasonably so. The upper part of the farm is paved from the bridge on the north to the Pavilion on the south, and one of our parking spots near the farm stand is reserved for handicapped access. The rest of the farm has gravel roads or pathways, so it can be a bit bumpy. We recommend that you wear close-toed, comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground. The farm is on a gentle slope and most of the destinations are connected by gently sloping or flat gravel roads or pathways. People using walkers are able to negotiate the property, staying mostly on the roads and gravel pathways.
Q: Are the farm grounds wheelchair accessible?
A: Mostly. Having an assistant is recommended. The gravel roads work well with all types of wheelchairs and will allow you to explore much of the farm. The gravel pathways are accessible to wheelchairs with wide tires, but thin wheelchair wheels may sink into the gravel on some of the pathways and be difficult to propel forward.
Q: Do you have restroom facilities?
A: Yes, we have portable toilets, one that is ADA accessible, on-site during the peak season from mid-April through mid-October.
Q: Are there ticks?
A: Yes, there are a few ticks in this part of the county. We find mostly dog ticks (which do not carry Lyme disease). Infrequently, we see the smaller deer ticks (the Lyme disease carriers), and we have not seen these ticks for the last four years, as the deer are not frequenting our property as much as they used to. Peak months for ticks are May and June. We mostly find them (or they find us!) in areas with tall grass, so it’s fairly easy to avoid them by staying on the gravel pathways or mowed areas and avoiding brushing up against tall vegetation.
Q: Are there snakes?
A: Yes. We have gopher snakes, garter snakes, and occasionally we have the good fortune to see a king snake (very beautiful!). There may also be rattlesnakes, but we haven’t seen one yet. We love our snakes! Please steer clear of them and don’t hurt them. They are one of our best allies in limiting the population of gophers, mice, moles, and voles.
Q: Are there other hazards I should be aware of?
A: Yes. There are several areas on the farm that have very rough terrain or stored construction materials. We have cordoned off these areas to ensure you are aware of the hazards. Your mission is to stay out of these flagged areas and keep children out as well.
Q: How long has Bees N Blooms been in operation?
A: Bees N Blooms was established in March of 2016. We built the labyrinth structure in September, 2016 and planted the lavender plants in December 2016. The farm was first opened to the public on April 28, 2018. You might be interested to see the satellite photos showing the evolution of the farm over time.
Q: How big is the farm?
A: The farm is 11.3 acres. The lavender labyrinth is half an acre and the “north block” lavender is 1.0 acres. The flower arcs occupy 0.6 acres west of the labyrinth, with another 0.8 acres of raised beds that we are just getting into production along Creek Road between Upper Cross Road and Lower Cross Road. The vegetable beds and greenhouse area occupy about a quarter of an acre. While we have plans to increase the flower-growing area, we always plan to leave some space for wildlife.
Q: How do you know the Bees N Blooms labyrinth is the largest in California?
A: We have registered our labyrinth with the Labyrinth Society, which has an online Worldwide Labyrinth Locator. While there is a larger labyrinth in Michigan, according to the Labyrinth Locator, the Bees N Blooms labyrinth is the largest in California.
Most important! Have fun and enjoy the farm!
