Learning about bees in the Pauma Valley, CA

 Through AirBNB Experiences, we booked a two-hour bee and beekeeping adventure.  The business is Bee Leaf USA.  They rescue hives, establish bee sanctuaries in agricultural areas, produce honey and educate the public about the importance of bees.

We met Travis at the front gate of the property.  The group donned simple bee hats with netting to walk through the bee boxes.  We learned about the history of beekeeping, the life cycle of the bees, bee society, and the importance of bees for agriculture.  We were in a small classroom with netting, but surrounded by dozens of bee boxes and thousands of bees.  

Then, we put on full bee suits.  We watched as Travis smoked a bee box and then opened it.  It was amazing to see the multitude of bees!  He pulled out the frames that hold the honeycomb.  Smoking the bees causes them to gorge on honey.  They assume the honey stores are in peril from the fire and they can only transport honey in their bellies.  The bees were quite calm and easy to observe.  He even handed us a clump of bees to hold.  The bees buzzed in our hands.  It was an odd sensation.

After looking at a queen, we came back in for a honey tasting.  The range in flavors was so dramatic.  The lemon honey was light and sweet; the avocado honey had molasses notes.  The flavors come from what pollen the bees are collecting.  The bees segregate the different types of honey in the comb.

It was a really fun and educational experience.  The location was very easy to find.  We got texts to remind us about wearing closed-toed shoes and long pants.  There isn't a restroom on the premises.  We stopped at the Pauma Casino Cafe before we arrived.  The Pauma Valley is a more remote part of the San Diego County.  It was a pretty drive.  It was $150 per person for a two-hour experience.