Just 12 miles south of Puerto Vallarta along the appropriately named Palms-to-Pines Highway lies an Eden for lovers of all things botanical. Opened a little over six years ago, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens features more than 3,000 different species of plants, including indigenous orchids, agave, tree ferns and wildflowers. The 20 acres of land also includes trails for hiking and a mountain river ideal for swimming.

As a nonprofit dedicated to the research and education of plant life, Vallarta Botanical Gardens has hosted a number of workshops, including a recent Copomo (Maya Nut or Breadnut in English) festival, where local producers turned the sustainable forest crop into eight different kinds of food. Plans for upcoming festivals include one for edible flowers.

Also on site is the Hacienda de Oro restaurant, featuring a brick pizza oven and Mexican favorites made (when possible) using local ingredients, including milk and cheese from the nearby town of El Tuito. Their tortilla soup was truly one of the best I’ve ever had and they were kind enough to give us the recipe. So enjoy! I know I will!

Surrounded by the enormous Topatopa Mountains and a few miles' worth of orange groves, the small Southern California town of Ojai is known for three things: meditation retreats, artisans and agriculture. To see how these three worlds mingle, stop by the downtown farmers' market any Sunday (rain or shine) between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Ojai Certified Farmers' Market features stunning produce, locally made olive oils, vibrant cut flowers and orchid plants, hand-woven baskets, organic soaps and skincare. Local musicians come out to play, friends reconnect, and occasionally, a rousing game of hacky sack breaks out on the nearby lawn. At this community meeting place, you'll see theater folk telling stories with a flourish, spiritual ascetics shopping for organic produce and farmers educating kids about where their food comes from and how it's grown.

And speaking of food: Didn't grow up in the Midwest (or miss it terribly)? This is your chance to try some cheese curds from California. Want to sample some of the best baked goods in town? Stop by early at Knead's table to pick up a ribbon-wrapped package of cheddar-jalapeño scones or hearty chocolate-chip cookies. Here you can find organic eggs and free-range meats, fresh tamales, gluten-free breads and much more.

Before you leave, be sure to treat yourself to some citrus fruits, the staples that made this area so popular in the first place. You'll rarely find a sweeter orange than at the Ojai Farmer's Market.

Ojai Certified Farmers' Market, every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
300 East Matilija Street, just behind the Arcade on Main Street in downtown Ojai, California