Archives for July 1, 2026

Salute Summer At Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm In Lompoc, California In Santa Barbara County To Celebrate 3rd  Annual Lavender Festival In July 11, 18 & 25, 2026

Just in Time For Summer, Explore Lompoc is inviting travelers, including couples, grandparents, families with children of all ages, including  toddlers and teens, from near and far to celebrate the season with a sojourn to Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm for its  3rd Annual Lavender Festival, July 11th, 18th, and 25th 2026, Noon to 5 PM in the bucolic Santa Rita Hills in Lompoc, California located in Santa Barbara County. https://explorelompoc.com/events/
In celebration of this year’s bloom, Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm has planned a FREE to the public Lavender Festival when the lavender is at its peak! Come and join the Farm as they open the field with a celebration of lavender in all its splendor! Parking is also FREE.

Highlighted will be a local vendor market, featuring regional artisans selling handmade lavender goods that include lavender sachets and pillows, and variety of lavender bath and body products. As part of the Festival, there will be artisans selling custom leather goods, wood carvings, jewelry, homemade bread and jams and jellies. Local 

food trucks will prepare  a wide variety of  lavender delicacies. Live music will be provided by several  musicians; Mark Bouras on the 11th, Dave Tate on the 18th, and Daniel Vera on the 25th. Be sure to sign up for one of the Farm’s Lavender Wreath Making classes ($55 including all supplies) and Lavender Essential Oil Distillation Demonstration (Free) scheduled throughout the three weekends to create a personalized lavender wreath using flowers from the field! To sign up on the 11th click here, to sign up on the 18th click here, and to sign up on the 25th click here. Base ticket includes one 10″ wreath frame with all materials and instruction. 

The Farm also produces and sells its handmade lavender products that include a estate grown and distilled essential oil, and culinary lavender products such as lavender coffee salt, sugar, olive oil, Balsamic vinegar and honey.https://www.santaritahillslavender.com/full-catalogThe event this year is FREE to attend and visitors can obtain tickets by signing up here

FREE Parking is also available onsite. Visitors are asked to wear closed toed shoes and be aware that the Farm’s lavender also attracts bees, so prepare accordingly. We are on sandy soil so those that have physical handicaps we recommend coming on a different day so we can accommodate you appropriately. 

ABOUT SANTA RITA HILLS LAVENDER FARM:

Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is nestled on 8.5 acres and boasts stunning views of the valley out to the Pacific Ocean from the Farm. The Farm is a labor of love created by 

mother/son team Denise and Lucas Neumann, and was established in May 2020 at the height of the pandemic. The Farm grows 3000+ lavender plants which produces 20,000 

bundles of lavender and over 5 gallons of lavender essential oil. Denise has credentials as a Master Gardener and has created a 1/4 acre of seasonal cut flowers! The 

lush lavender fields are surrounded by pomegranate, crab apples, blackberries, pears, medicinal herbs using regenerative farming practices. 

While on the farm you can also see a wide variety of California native plants and wildlife.

Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, except Tuesdays with hours subject to change, and is located at 1900 Tularosa Road in Lompoc California. 

For more information about Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm in Lompoc’s new Summer events in July, 2026, visit www.santaritahillslavender.com  or 

https://www.goldenstateapothecary.com/  or contact Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm at 805-395-6568.

Credit: SANTA RITA HILLS LAVENDER FARM

Get Ready for the Summer Return of the One and Only Monster Jam® in SoCal!

Grave Digger

Tickets on sale now to see the world’s most popular Monster Jam trucks and best drivers

roar into Crypto.com Arena from July 17–19 for the Summer Series.

Nothing compares to the one and only Monster Jam® to become a fan for life with an ultimate day of family fun, roaring into Crypto.com Arena from July 17–19, 2026 to compete in the Summer Series.  Get ready to cheer, scream, and be amazed as massive Monster Jam trucks and world champion drivers take over SoCal for a weekend packed with stunts, smiles, and jaw-dropping skills.  With awesome trucks, amazing stunts, big air, and action-packed excitement, it’s the definition of fun for everyone!

This isn’t just any event – it’s unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable, where 12,000-pound trucks stand on two wheels and fly through the air in competitions of speed and skill.  It’s all happening at Monster Jam, where your outside voice is allowed, and every big moment comes with an even bigger smile!

Get Your Tickets Before They’re Gone!

Tickets are on sale now at AXS.comMonster Jam Preferred Customers get the first chance to snag the best seats; fans can still sign up for free to grab an exclusive pre-sale code. The general public can purchase tickets starting next Tuesday, May 19th.

Feel the Thrill of Full-Throttle Fun

Get ready for big-time entertainment as SoCal roars to life with gravity-defying stunts, heart-pounding races, and plenty of big air!  The world’s best drivers tear up the dirt as they battle for the Event Championship in three competitions: Racing, 2 Wheel Skills, and everyone’s favorite, Freestyle, where Monster Jam trucks defy the laws of physics and do the impossible.  Fans will be right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the Event Champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts, and saves.

Meet the Superstars of Monster Jam!

These aren’t just any drivers – they’re world-class male and female athletes who have mastered controlling these 12,000-pound beasts. Whether pulling off insane backflips, nailing vertical 2-wheel tricks, or tearing up the track in all-out racing, these drivers are ready to wow fans with the most mind-blowing live motorsports action around.

The competition is fierce as 8 top drivers battle it out for the Summer Series Championship title.  You’ll be on the edge of your seat watching the world’s most popular trucks like 5x Arena Series Champion Weston Anderson in the legendary Grave Digger®, fan-favorite Sparkle Smash® and El Toro Loco®, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, driven by MJ Solorio.  You can’t get this kind of wow just anywhere!

WHEN:              Friday, July 17, 2026

  • Event Time7:30 PM

Saturday, July 18, 2026

  • Event Times1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, July 19, 2026

  • Event Times12:00 PM & 6:00 PM

WHERE:            Crypto.com Arena – 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

TICKETS:            Gravity-defying action, down-to-earth prices!

Tickets and Pit Passes now available for purchase online at AXS.com

or in-person at the venue box office                    

*ticket prices subject to change – additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

TRUCK / DRIVER LINEUP:  Grave Digger® driven by Weston Anderson; El Toro Loco® driven by MJ Solorio; Sparkle Smash® driven byChelsea VanCleave; JCB DIGatron driven by Tristan England; ThunderROARus® driven by Carson Williams; Earth Shaker® driven by Alex Bardin; Jurassic Attack driven by Tim Hall, Jr.; and Velociraptor driven by Travis Hall                                                                             *Truck and driver line-up subject to change

For more local info, visit the Los Angeles event page at MonsterJam.com

Follow Monster Jam on our social media channels: FacebookTwitterInstagram and TikTok.

Subscribe to the Monster Jam YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/MonsterJam

Credit: Monster Jam/ Feld Motor Sports

Mr Worldwide (no period after “Mr.”!), JULY 3 Pet of the Week

A special plea for this week’s Pet of the Week: Mr Worldwide, a 2-year-old brown-and-white pittie, is much loved by Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) staff and volunteers. He’s done all the things a good dog does—he walks well on leash, inspecting every inch of pavement and grass; accepts treats politely; presents his belly for rubs; and covers human faces with wet kisses. Mr Worldwide was recently adopted but was returned to LBACS because of aggression toward his new family. His days may be numbered but may be extended for a long time if a person who is experienced with pit bulls comes forward and is willing to sign a behavior waiver. Mr Worldwide requires both an exceptionally skilled adopter and professional training so that this behavior doesn’t escalate. His friends at the shelter passionately hope for a break for Mr Worldwide before it’s too late. Speed the process to adopt Mr Worldwide (no period after the honorific “Mr,” if you search for him on the LBACS adoption page) by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Ask for ID#A761120.