California lavender fields are absolutely gorgeous in full bloom. There are more than 20 varieties of lavenders grown in California and they all have their own characteristics. Lavender fields in California are especially treasured during their small bloom period when people from all over the state travel to see them. Out of all the flower fields around the world the lavender fields in California are my favorite!
One of the best activities to do in the summer is to take a day trip to one of these lavender fields and have a picnic. Most of the lavender fields offer picnic baskets that you can pick up and eat at the farms. The menus are especially delicious, including lots of dishes made with lavender. It’s really fun to use and make lavender oil in cooking as well! In this post you will find the best lavender fields in California and best tips for visiting them.
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Tips for visiting lavender fields in California
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Californian lavender fields is at sunset because the golden light really brings out the colors in the lavenders. If you prefer to avoid the crowds then you can instead opt to go for sunrise. Sunrise in California in late summer is around 6:15 am and the golden light stays around for 30 minutes before and after sunset.
Outfits
Flowy dresses in pastel hues or white look really pretty with lavender flowers. They also make for great contrast when taking pictures.
Show respect
The lavender fields are private property which means the owners are kind enough to let people walk into their land to enjoy the flowers. Please be respectful and not go trampling all over the place and stay where you see people. If you want to explore more than you need permission from the owners. You can also call ahead and ask the farm what the rules are.
Allergies
There will be bees in the fields which is expected since they play a big part in pollinating the flowers. To avoid most of them, visit early in the morning when they are asleep. People also have allergies to the pollen in the air. It’s a good idea to take your allergy medication with you if you are prone to them.
Plan for a road trip
Most farms have other activities and cute California towns nearby. Planning a picnic lunch and doing a road trip will make this trip so much better than just driving up for the flower.
When to visit lavender fields in California?
The best time to visit to see lavender fields in California is from early May until early July. The buds start blooming at the end of May and come into full bloom at the start of June. The flowers at this time are big, bright and perfect for pictures.
To have the best chance of visiting a field in full bloom, plan your trip at the end of June or the first weekend of July which is perfect weather. This is the same time when sunflower fields are also in bloom so you can see both sunflowers and lavender in bloom. Aracelli farms in northern California is one of the best farms which have both of these flowers.
What to bring to a lavender field?
California can get pretty hot in the summer and if you’re out picking lavender you will need to bring sunscreen, a sunhat and water to keep you hydrated. There are also a lot of bees on the farms and all farms have a warning about this on their websites. If you’re allergic make sure to take your meds.
If you are going to pick your own lavender flowers, take a basket or cloth bag to bring those back with you. You will also need some cutting shears though most farms provide this and gardening gloves.
What to wear to a lavender farm?
Lavenders bloom in late summer which is great for light summer dresses. Sandals and simple keds are great as footwear. If you are planning on shooting some pictures with the lavenders then white dresses compliment the pinks and purples of the lavender very nicely. Long flowy dresses in light pinks, yellow and olives work very well for brighter pictures.
Are there any lavender festivals in 2023?
I see a lot of lavender farms going ahead with their festivals in 2023 so as of now yes all lavender festivals seem to be going ahead!
How to get the best photos of lavender fields in California?
To get the best photos at lavender fields, wear long flowy dresses in whites or pastel yellow, pinks and olives. These contrast and match marvelously with the colors of the lavender plants. Add to this some props like baskets filled with lavender, a straw hat and a picnic basket that most farms offer and you will have the perfect composition for the picture.
To get the best light you want to wait for sunset. The golden light brings out the best colors in the petals and they look beautiful. Try some different angles and look at photos you want to create before you go to the lavender fields. This will give you the best chance of creating a photo you like.
Lavender Fields Near Me
Northern California
- The best places to find lavender fields in northern California are in Yolo County near the towns of Dixon, Davis, Woodland and Winters. These are all located with an hour of Sacramento in northern California.
Southern California
- The best places to visit sunflower field near Los Angeles are farms near San Diego, Los Angeles and in Temecula Wine Country.
Top 10 Lavender Fields in California
1. Aracelli Farms, Dixon
Aracelli farms run by Justina is one of the most beautiful lavender farms in California. Justina runs a popular bustling farm that people from all around come to see. The farm is close to Dixon in northern California and a 2 hour drive from Sacramento or SF which makes it a great place for a little day trip.
The lavender farm has 7 varieties of lavender that bloom gorgeous colors of pink and purple. This makes it an especially beautiful place for photoshoots. Luckily the farm lets you reserve the fields for photoshoots sessions that you can book online. You can book any time slot between 6am and 8pm which is great because the best time for photoshoot is sunrise or sunset. You have complete privacy during this time and Justina graciously provides prods like lavender bouquets to add to your photoshoot.
They also sometimes set up pop up photo scenes which include rugs, cute chairs, a backdrop, lots of lavender plants and other trinkets. These are really pretty for pictures.
My favorite part about the farm are their unique products that they make locally. The prettiest of the bunch are their charcoal and olive oil soaps. Other products that I really liked were the lavender culinary buds that I can use in decorating cakes and absolutely heavenly smelling lavender shimmer mist.
Aracelli farms also have really nice events that you can learn more about lavenders at. They have some interesting events like Smudge Workshop, and Volunteer Weeding. General admission is still just $5. You can have a picnic in the fields, and have an epic day. This is my top pick for visiting a lavender farm in California.
Details
- Location: 7389 Pitt School Rd, Dixon, CA 95620 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 707-640-1047
- Contact: Website
- Open: Yes for 2023.
2. 123 Farms at Highland Springs Ranch, Cherry Valley
From May 6th to July 31st this year you will be able to plan a trip to the wonderful lavender festival at one of the most famous lavender fields in California. In addition to that they have lavender walks that are absolutely freaking awesome.
At the festival you can wander the 20 acres of organic lavender farms with more than 90 varieties of lavender. The lavender farm is beautiful and a great place to take pictures. For just a small fee you can spend hours amongst the flowers.
The thing I loved the most is the lavender menu. The menu is expertly crafted with sandwiches, desserts, and drinks on the menu. Some sandwiches that I am really excited to try this year are Hummus and Roasted Veggie Wrap and Lavender Braised Beef Brisket Sandwich. To pair with this try out the Lavender Cheesecake, or the Lavender Lemon Bar (I loved this), Chocolate Lavender Ice Cream, or Funnel Cakes. The drinks paired with this are even more spectacular – Lavender Blueberry Cream Ale, Lavender Mojito and Lavender Lemonade.
Once you are done with your walk, make sure to take a look at their shop with lots of teas, honeys, and other organic lavender products to take home.
It would be remiss if I didn’t mention that 123 Farm also has sheep shearing, chilli pepper festival, sourdough bread festival, a pumpkin patch and olive festival throughout the year. The farm belongs to the larger Highlands Spring Ranch with quaint rooms, a pool and spa.
Details
- Location: 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, CA 92223 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 951-845-1151
- Contact: Website
- Open: May 5th to July 23rd 2023. 5pm to 10pm daily.
3. Keys Creek Farm, Valley Center
This gorgeous 8.5 acre farm is just a short 40 minute drive from San Diego. The farm is situated in northern San Diego County and boasts more than a dozen varieties of lavender. I is the only USDA certified organic lavender farm in San Diego County.
The farm is straight out of a fairy tale with rows of pretty lavender, a picture perfect cottage and lots of places to picnic. They have a cottage on the property with a gorgeous interior, a wooden outdoor bath, a pool and view of the valley below which is covered in various shades of purple.
During the blooming season the farm has lots of interesting classes. One of the classes I found really interesting was the lavender tea class that lets you bake and taste some of the most delicious recipes made from lavender.
Details
- Location: 12460 Keys Creek Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 760-742-3844
- Contact: Website
- Open: Permanently closed as per Google. Will update if any change.
4. Pageo Lavender Farm, Turlock
Pageo lavender farm in northern California is a gorgeous property that I really enjoyed because of their lavender lunch boxes. The property itself is beautiful and in full bloom looks absolutely stunning. The best thing about this lavender farm in California are the lavender lunch boxes filled with the yummiest goodies.
All lavender lunches include a lavender gift, a drink, a dessert + the main dish that you can choose including sandwiches named Natural High, Pear Passion, Classic Chicken or Egg Delicate. Each of them taste great and you can have a picnic on the property after picking them up. The farm also offers private photoshoots and their shop has really nice products.
Details
- Location: 11573 Golf Link Rd, Turlock, CA 95380 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 209-632-505
- Contact: Website
- Open: Yes for 2023.
5. Fork & Plow Lavender Farm, Aguanga
Nestled in the Temecula Valley Wine Country is one of the cutest and best lavender farm experiences in California. Amidst sunshine and honey bees you will find the gem of lavender farms – Form and Plow. Fork and Plow Lavender farms provide a holistic rustic experience that you will remember for years. You can roam the gorgeous rows of French and English lavender plants, and cut your own lavender.
Or you can go inside the cute shop and get some of the best lavender products I have ever seen – sea salted lavender caramels, lavender syrup, lavender infused honey, herbs and spices. Once you are done experiencing the farm, collect your picnic lunch box and make your way over to the dining tables set up around the farm. Enjoy the delicious food as you soak up the bubbly atmosphere and the soft smell of lavender in the air.
To enjoy an even more curated experience, visit the farm on one of their events. 2021 is shaping up to be a great year with some really interesting events taking place. A Spring Bloom Soiree – create your own floral arrangements with seasonal flowers and greens in your pretty vase. Afterwards eat fresh baked scones with tea while visiting the goats.
Or maybe you would prefer Jazz in the Garden – a lovely evening filled with the sounds of live jazz music and farm to table food from the kitchen of Fork and Plow. Under the fairy lights you can enjoy a gorgeous sunset, incredible food and great music with your loved ones.
And lastly my favorite, Yoga at the Farm – sip on an iced strawberry lavender tea and citrus scone after an incredible early morning yoga session at the farm. End the morning with picking your own lavender and taking home a bottle of complimentary lavender essential oil.
6. Monte Bellaria di California, Sebastopol
In the northern wine country of California you will find a gorgeous lavender field – Monte Bellaria di California. The lavenders are surrounded by the vineyards and the few and sparse people roaming the grounds make for a peaceful and serene visit amongst the flowers.
The farm is very strict about letting only a certain number of people on the grounds every hour and you need advanced timed tickets to enter. This is the perfect lavender fields to visit for anyone in Northern California.
Details
- Location: 3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472 (Google Maps Link)
- Contact: Website
- Open: Yes in 2023. Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm end of June to start of July.
7. Lavender Bee Farm, Petaluma
This pretty lavender bee farm in Petaluma country combines the best of honey and lavender. They have their own honey hives on the farm and make countless organic lavender honey products that you can order from home.
To take a tour of the farm you can call them and schedule a tour. It is one of the best places in California for weddings.
Details
- Location: 764 Chapman Ln, Petaluma, CA 94952 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 707-789-0554
- Contact: Website
- Open: Yes in 2023. Tours by appointment only.
8. Bees N Bloom, Sonoma
The most striking aspect of this pretty lavender and bees farm is the lavender labyrinth. Oh yes – a labyrinth made of lavender bushes indeed. Located in the Santa Rosa plains, these lavender fields in California have their peak season – the Lavender Daze – from May 21st to July 10th. The lavender daze requires reservations but they have other events through out the summer where you can just walk in and enjoy the flowers!
Details
- Location: 3883 Petaluma Hill Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 707-293-8293
- Contact: Website
- Open: Yes in 2023. May 20th to July 9th. Weekends from 10am to 4pm.
9. Matanzas Creek Winery, Santa Rosa
This one is a personal favorite because who does not want to sip wine while smelling the lavender. They have 5 different wine tastings or picnics you could choose from. For the best lavender experience choose the $35 Matanzas Creek Comparative Tasting for 4.5 hours where you will be try five exceptional wines in the stunning vineyard next to the lavender fields. The lavenders are hand cut each year and turned into exquisite products which can be bought home with you.
Details
- Location: 6097 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 800-590-6464
- Contact: Website
- Open: Not sure about 2023.
10. Clairmont Farm, Los Olivos
This intimate farm in the Santa Ynez Valley is the perfect place for a Saturday picnic. Open from Thursday to Sunday, visitors are invited to picnic, stroll or visit the organic lavender shop on the estate. The Santa Ynez Mountains frame the lavender fields and the owners claim, and I do not doubt, that many filmmaker, artists and photographers come here for the beauty.
Details
- Location: 2480 Roblar Avenue, Los Olivos California, 93441 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 805-688-7505
- Contact: Website
- Open: Yes in 2023. Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm.
Lavender Festivals in 2023
11. Santa Barbara Lavender Festival
Date: 10am to 4pm, Saturday June 24th, 2023
With lavender plants, food, jewelry, clothing and lots of lemonade, the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival on June 25th is surely going to be one of the grandest lavender festivals in California. More than 100 vendors during this day bring out wares that will surprise and delight you. From new uses of Lavender (have you tried the lavender ice cream at Saffron and Rose in LA!) to products that you didn’t know you needed, you are sure to have a great time. The sounds of live music makes it all the more better!
Details
- Location: Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 805-451-7147
- Contact: Website
12. Paso Robles Olive Festival and Central Coast Lavender Festival
Date: 10am to 5pm, May 20th, 2023
On Saturday, May 7th the annual Paso Robles Olive and Lavender Festival returns to the downtown main street of Paso Robles. Ever tried olive ice cream or even lavender ice cream? NO? You’re definitely missing out!
You can try both at this much loved festival that will include samples, numerous vendors and from what I’ve heard an olive dish cooking contest! The Culinary Row is filled with delicious local dishes made from fresh produce and of course – olives!
Details
- Location: Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association, 835 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 805-238-4103
- Contact: Website
13. Cache Creek Lavender Festival
Date: 10am to 4pm, June 10th – June 11th, 2023
The Cache Creek Lavender fields in California are holding their own lavender festival this year. On June 11th and 12th you can harvest your own lavender, taste local wines, eat some bbq, and get some lavender ice cream for dessert.
To make the festival ever better this year you can enjoy live music and talks by Charles Opper. if you have kids, they will enjoy the Create in the Craft Tent. I know that I for one will be heading over to buy a lavender plant to take home with me.
Details
- Location: Cache Creek Lavender, 3430 Madrone Street, Rumsey, CA 95679 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 530-796-2239
- Contact: Website
14. Lavender Blue Festival
Date: 9am to 4pm, June 17th-18th and June 24th-25th, 2023
The Bluestone Meadow in the Sierra foothills is home to the famed Lavender Blue Festival. The farm prides itself on offering affordable activities for families to enjoy the lavender bloom. The festival dates are June 18th and 19th and June 25th and 26th. With an abundance an activities to enjoy you can bring your families to cut your own lavender bouquet, make a lavender wreath, walk the lavender labyrinth or buy some products to take home with you. The children will be able to enjoy many activities such as meeting cows, riding a train, giant bubbles, duck races, and lots more.
Details
- Location: 2025 Carson Road, Placerville, CA 95667 (Google Maps Link)
- Phone: 530-621-1830
- Contact: Website
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