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Apitourism is buzzing, and Town and Country Resort is getting in on the sweetest travel trend.
Wine tasting has had a good run.
But what if your next tasting experience came straight from a beehive?
Apitourism, or travel experiences centered around bees, beekeeping and honey, is having a moment in hospitality. Luxury hotels around the world are inviting guests to learn about local bees, visit apiaries, taste honey and experience the connection between food, travel and conservation.
And yes, Town and Country Resort in San Diego has bees.
In fact, our on-site beehive and partnership with local Encinitas Honey were recently featured in Forbes' article, “Apitourism Is Buzzing—Is Honey Tasting The New Wine Tasting?” alongside hotels around the world that are turning their bee programs into memorable guest experiences.
We may not have a vineyard.
We have something better.
Bees.
So, what exactly is apitourism?
Apitourism is travel centered around the world of bees and beekeeping. Depending on the destination, that might mean visiting an apiary, learning how honey is harvested, tasting different varieties of honey, meeting beekeepers or discovering how bees support local ecosystems.
Think wine country.
But smaller.
And significantly buzzier.
The trend is growing as travelers look for experiences that connect them with local food, nature and sustainability rather than simply checking another attraction off a list.
Forbes recently highlighted 14 hotels around the world offering bee-focused experiences, from honey tastings and apiary tours to conservation programs and hands-on beekeeping. Town and Country was included for its own unique take on the trend: local honey, local bees and a very San Diego approach to apitourism.
Meet the bees of Town and Country Resort
Located in the heart of Mission Valley, Town and Country is home to an on-site beehive created in partnership with Encinitas Honey, a local San Diego-area honey producer.
The hive is more than a cute addition to the resort.
It supports local pollination and environmental stewardship while giving guests a behind-the-scenes look at one of nature's hardest-working little creatures.
And because this is Town and Country, we weren't about to stop at simply having bees.
We had to put the honey to work.
From the hive to your happy hour
The honey harvested from the resort's hives makes its way throughout the property.
One of the sweetest examples is Atomic Buzz Blonde Ale, a collaboration between Encinitas Honey and San Diego's own Pure Project Brewing. The beer incorporates Encinitas Honey and is available across Town and Country's dining concepts, including ARLO, Monkeybar, Lapper and Lap It Up.
Because nothing says “sustainable local ingredient” quite like ordering a beer and discovering that the bees basically helped make it.
Cheers to that.
Honey belongs on the menu, too
At ARLO, Town and Country's award-winning restaurant, honey makes its way into the food program, including Blossom Honey Cornbread with cipollini onions and bordelaise, highlighted by Forbes as part of the resort's bee-inspired culinary offerings.
It's a pretty good example of how the resort approaches local ingredients.
The honey isn't just something to look at.
It's something to eat.
And drink.
And, apparently, something to write about in Forbes.
Want to take some home?
You don't have to leave your honey experience at the resort.
The MRKT, Town and Country's grab-and-go marketplace, carries locally made Encinitas Honey, along with bee pollen and bee balm. Guests can also find Pure Project's Atomic Buzz Blonde Ale featuring Encinitas Honey.
So yes, you can bring a little piece of the Town and Country hive home with you.
Just don't expect the bees to help you carry it.
Even your hotel bathroom gets in on it
The bee theme doesn't stop with food and drinks.
Town and Country guestrooms feature BeeKind™ bath products, a honey-inspired collection made with certified organic extracts. The program also supports honey bee and sustainable pollination restoration.
It's a small detail, but it fits into a bigger idea at Town and Country: sustainability should feel like part of the experience, not a lecture you have to sit through before vacation can begin.
Why bees belong at a San Diego resort
Town and Country sits on 23 acres in Mission Valley, surrounded by the landscape and communities that make San Diego, well, San Diego.
The resort's sustainability efforts extend beyond the beehive. Town and Country has earned Green Key Global certification and supports the San Diego River through partnerships with River Park Foundation and Alpha Project, helping fund trash removal, habitat maintenance and invasive-species control along the river behind the property.
The beehive is one part of that larger commitment.
And it's a pretty fun part.
Because guests can learn about sustainability without sacrificing the pool day.
What is a honey tasting like?
We're glad you asked.
Honey tasting is a lot like wine tasting in one important way: the flavor can tell you where it came from.
The plants bees forage from, the surrounding environment and the timing of harvest can all influence honey's flavor, aroma and character.
That means honey isn't just “sweet.”
It can be floral, citrusy, earthy, herbal, buttery or surprisingly complex.
And unlike wine, you don't have to pretend you know what “notes of blackberry with a subtle finish of oak” means.
You can just say:
“Wow. That's good honey.”
The next time you're in San Diego, follow the buzz
Town and Country Resort is already known for pool days, Twister, mid-century style, playful experiences and a very San Diego approach to resort life.
Now there's another reason to check in:
the bees.
From an on-site beehive and local honey to honey-infused beer, honey-forward dishes, BeeKind amenities and locally made honey available at The MRKT, Town and Country offers a distinctly San Diego take on the growing world of apitourism.
And if Forbes thinks honey might be the new wine tasting, who are we to argue?
We'll just be over here, enjoying the buzz.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bees and Honey at Town and Country Resort
Does Town and Country Resort have an on-site beehive?
Yes. Town and Country Resort partnered with Encinitas Honey to establish an on-site beehive featuring California Carniolan hybrid bees. The hive supports local pollination and environmental stewardship.
What is apitourism?
Apitourism is a form of travel centered around bees, beekeeping, honey production and pollination. Experiences can include apiary visits, honey tastings, beekeeping demonstrations and learning about local bee conservation.
Is Town and Country Resort featured in Forbes' apitourism article?
Yes. Forbes featured Town and Country Resort in its August 2026 article, “Apitourism Is Buzzing—Is Honey Tasting The New Wine Tasting?” The article highlighted the resort's partnership with Encinitas Honey, on-site beehives, Atomic Buzz Blonde Ale, honey-infused food, BeeKind amenities and locally made honey available at The MRKT.
Where can I find Encinitas Honey at Town and Country?
Locally made Encinitas Honey, bee pollen and bee balm are available at The MRKT at Town and Country Resort.
What is Atomic Buzz Blonde Ale?
Atomic Buzz Blonde Ale is a collaboration between Encinitas Honey, Town and Country Resort and San Diego's Pure Project Brewing. The blonde ale incorporates Encinitas Honey and is available at ARLO, Monkeybar, Lapper and Lap It Up.
Does Town and Country use honey in its food and beverage program?
Yes. Honey from the resort's local partnership is incorporated into the property's food and beverage experiences. Forbes specifically highlighted ARLO's Blossom Honey Cornbread with cipollini onions and bordelaise.
How does Town and Country Resort support sustainability?
Town and Country's sustainability initiatives include its on-site beehive, BeeKind guestroom amenities, energy and water conservation programs, food-waste composting, electric-vehicle charging stations and support for the San Diego River through River Park Foundation and Alpha Project.
