Susan Branch: A Fond Farewell & Book Signing
Be the first to enjoy The NEW Christmas book – “Comfort & Joy: ‘Tis the Season” by Susan Branch at the Secret Garden
New York Times bestselling author and watercolor artist Susan Branch celebrates 40 years of beloved hand-lettered books with the release of her newest book, Comfort and Joy: ’Tis the Season.
On October 25, 2026, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Branch will host an exclusive, ticketed premiere book signing at The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, near her original San Luis Obispo roots. The special celebration marks the beginning of her nationwide farewell tour.
Guests will be the first to enjoy an advance copy of her newest book, festive recipes, live music and an intimate author talk.
An Afternoon with Susan
This grand afternoon gathering offers guests a special experience:
Every ticket includes a hot-off-the-press hardcover copy of Comfort and Joy: ’Tis the Season—available to attendees a full week before its official nationwide release date—alongside delicious food tastings prepared directly from Susan’s personal cozy comfort-food recipes. There will also be live music from Spike in the Box! Guests will hear Susan speak, share memories, and answer questions before embarking on her final cross-country farewell tour.
BOOK SIGNING INFORMATION
To allow Susan to greet as many readers as possible, pre-signed copies of Comfort and Joy: ’Tis the Season will also be available. Your advance copy will be provided at event check-in.
Introducing Comfort and Joy
Comfort and Joy: ’Tis the Season picks up where Branch’s highly acclaimed AUTUMN from the Heart of the Home left off. Hand-written and watercolor-illustrated in her iconic, whimsical style, this 192-page hardcover is filled with original artwork, personal photographs, treasured quotes, and classic recipes. The book celebrates the warmth of winter—beginning with the Christmas holidays and continuing through January, February, and March into early Spring—with entertaining ideas, homemade gifts, DIY projects, and nostalgic remembrances.
“Susan’s new book is like a favorite sweater, keeping you as cozy and warm as a good hug ~ a love letter to the season of togetherness.”
Susan Branch Book Signing at Sycamore’s Secret Garden
Growing up in San Fernando Valley.
Susan Branch Book Signing at Sycamore’s Secret Garden
Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, it’s the house where I wrote my first three books.
Susan Branch Book Signing at Sycamore’s Secret Garden
First thing I did for the house is buy it this stove . . . same year and brand my mom had when I was growing up.
Susan Branch Book Signing at Sycamore’s Secret Garden
We bought this house on the Island in 1989, but after the invention of Instagram I gave it the nickname of “the prop.” It was perfect!
A Legacy of Love & Lettering
The publication date of November 1, 2026, marks almost exactly 40 years since Little, Brown & Co. published Branch’s breakthrough debut, Heart of the Home, on October 29, 1986. With 19 total books written across her career (three of which have been updated) and nine of her most recent titles currently in print, Branch plans to transition into retirement, making Comfort and Joy: ’Tis the Season the grand finale of an extraordinary literary journey.
Over four decades, Branch has sold more than 5 million copies of her books—driven largely by grass-roots, word-of-mouth recommendations passed down “from grandmas to moms, to daughters and sisters, to aunts and cousins, and to the best friends we couldn’t live without.”
Through personal, diary-style books, her blog (distributed to over 63,000 subscribers), and vibrant social media channels, readers—affectionately known as her “Girlfriends”—followed her life from Southern California to San Luis Obispo, through her years in New England, and across the globe on sea and train travels (including picnics in Beatrix Potter’s garden). Now settled back home in the Arroyo Grande Valley with her husband Joe Hall, Branch is coming full circle.
Following the October 25th premiere at The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, Susan and Joe will embark on a cross-country drive for her final nationwide book tour to bid a warm, personal farewell to independent booksellers and loyal readers across America.
About The Secret Garden and Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa is a charming outdoor gathering place tucked along Avila Valley’s scenic Bob Jones Trail. Surrounded by nature and the resort’s lush gardens, this relaxed hideaway invites guests to enjoy wood-fired favorites, seasonal treats, local wines, and refreshing beverages in a welcoming garden setting. With live music, community events, and plenty of laid-back Central Coast charm, it’s the perfect place to linger, connect, and savor the moment.
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Nestled in the coastal hills of Avila Beach, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa is a nature-inspired wellness retreat known for its naturally flowing mineral waters and peaceful surroundings. Guests can unwind in private mineral spring hot tubs featured with every guest room and suite, soak in the hillside hot tubs or Waterfall Oasis, and indulge in restorative massages and facials at the award-winning spa, where every treatment includes a complimentary mineral spring soak. With a variety of accommodations, scenic walking trails, gardens, and wellness experiences, Sycamore offers a rejuvenating escape just minutes from the Central Coast’s beaches.
Discover More at Sycamore
Parking & Arrival Details
- Gates open at 1:30pm for check in
- Event from 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Additional parking and arrival instructions will be emailed to registered guests separately on October 19, 2026. Please keep an eye on your inbox as the event approaches.