Lavender Field Day Trips From Sacramento, CA
It’s June! And that means the sun is shining, the bees are buzzing, and it is peak lavender season! It’s the time to take romantic strolls through fragrant lavender fields, sip on lavender lemonade, and indulge in all things lavender to your heart’s content. If you’re feeling stressed out at all, an afternoon visit to a lavender farm will surely have you feeling relaxed and destressed!
I’ve listed a few lavender farms, events, and festivals that are within driving distance from Sacramento, CA. But, these are great places to visit for anyone is located in Northern California.
When is lavender season?
So, when exactly is lavender season? Lavender begins to bloom in mid or late May, with the peak month being in June, and ending in July. Every farm has its own bloom schedule, which varies slightly from year to year, so I recommend checking each farm’s schedules on their website or social media before you plan to visit!
What To Bring/Wear
Since peak lavender season is in the middle of summer, you can expect some hot weather! So, dress for the occasion. You might even want to plan your visit in the morning to avoid the hottest time of the day.
I recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and loose clothing. The fields look amazing in photos, so throw on a cute summer dress to take some pictures while you’re there. One thing to keep in mind is that lavender attracts lots of bees, so if you’re frolicking in the fields, be mindful of where you step and what’s around you. You might also be distracted by all the beautiful blooms and views, and forget to drink water, so here’s your reminder to stay hydrated!
These are the farms close to Sacramento, along with additional helpful information to help you plan your visit!Newcastle Lavender Farms
Address: 2450 Paddock Lane, Newcastle, CA 95658
Newcastle Lavender Farms is a family-owned farm located in – you guessed it – the foothills of Newcastle, CA! It’s a great spot for families to kick back because not only do they have a U-pick option to pick your own lavender and a stand to purchase their lavender products, but they also have a rotation of various food and drink vendors to choose from most day. So, if you forgot to pack a snack, you’ll have refreshment options to choose from.
The first U-Pick of the 2022 season was the first week of June. The farm is closed on June 10-12th for an event and they will open again the following week, from Friday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (June 17-19, June 24-27, and July 1-2).
No reservation is required for entry! You can purchase admission tickets either online, or at the gate with cash or card. If you do purchase tickets online, just be sure to bring proof of purchase for entry. The price for a U-Pick visit is $10 (kids 10 and under are free), which includes parking and one bundle of lavender. Service animals are allowed on the property.
The variety of lavender that the farm grows is the classic “Grosso,” which has a high oil content and a strong fragrance. Aside from picking your own bundle, you can also purchase their steam distilled essential oils, hydrosols, and other lavender products, which are available for pickup directly at the farm or at their retail location in Auburn, called “Little Bird Mercantile.”
BLUESTONE MEADOWS
Address: 2025 Carson Road, Placerville, California 95667
Bluestone Meadow is located in Placerville, CA – Just about under an hour drive from Sacramento.
For the lavender season, they are open two weekends in June for their annual Lavender Blue Festival. This year, the dates are on June 18th and 19th, as well as June 25th and 26th, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Online reservations are recommended, but not necessary to visit. This is a fun event for the family with various craft vendors, different lavender products, and a U-Pick option for $10. Admission is $5 per car, and online admissions can be applied to a $25 purchase of a lavender product. Don’t miss out on their delicious ice cream and lemonade! They also have a Kid’s Zone at the festival for an additional $5 per kid, which will include various activities such as train rides, llamas, duck races, lawn games, and more! Leashed dogs are allowed on the property.
Araceli Farms
Address: 7389 Pitt School Rd, Dixon CA 96520Araceli Farms is located right on the outskirts of Dixon, CA – about a half hour drive from Sacramento. To visit, you must make a reservation and purchase tickets online. The appointment slots are for 3-hour increments to ensure the farm and parking lot doesn’t get too crowded. A “Basic Ticket” to come hang out at the farm for a few hours is $15.00 (Children 10 and under are free). They also have U-Pick tickets for $25, which allows you to pick your own lavender bundle. Leashed dogs are allowed on the property, just not in the fields.
For 2022, their farm’s season started in the first weekend of June. They will continue until the end of the month, and possibly into July if the lavender continues to bloom. Check their website for updates. These are the reservation slots they have available for June 2022
Friday – 6-9 PM
Saturday – 8-11 AM, 11-2 PM, 6-9 PM
Sunday – 8-11, 11-2 PM
Here is some quick information on Aracelli farms, taken from their website:
-They grow 7 varieties of lavender, including: Grosso, Provence, White Spike, Royal Velvet, Violet Intrigue, Folgate, and Melissa.
-The farm is woman owned and operated! Justina is the owner and she is truly passionate about what she does.
-All packaging and farming methods are sustainable. They even use compostable labels!
-All products are naturally grown – no chemicals or artificial coloring
-They distill their own essential oils and hydrosols. You can purchase their products at the farm or on the website here
Dogs are allowed, just not in the fields! So, bring the family and some snacks, and you have a perfect picnic outing by the lavender fields.
CAPAY VALLEY LAVENDER:
Address: 20472 Road 79, Capay, CA 95607Capay Valley Lavender Farm is a woman-owned farm located in Capay, CA – which is about an hour out from Sacramento. The owner started the farm at the age of 64 to finally fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a farmer. Way to go!
All of their lavender is organic and free of any chemicals, so you can trust that it is safe and of the best quality. Their products are available for purchase on their website.
Though the farm does not have U-Pick visit options, they offer other events and activities. You can enjoy a picnic on their 5-acre lavender fields, sign up for hands-on workshops, or come visit for a farm tour. Tours can be booked online, and are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The price is $10 per person (there is no charge for children under 8). Dogs on a leash are allowed to visit the property too!
The two biggest events at the farm are their annual Lavender Festivals and the Holiday Open House. The annual Lavender Festival is held during the last weekend of May, and admission is $5.00 per person (children under 10 are free). It’s a chance to cut your own bundle of lavender, learn about the farm operations, and take in the best picnic views. The Holiday Open House is held in November, displaying the various lavender products they have available for purchase – just in time for the holidays!
WILTON LAVENDER FAMILY FARM
Address: 9050 Tavernor Road, Wilton CA 95693This lavender farm located in Wilton, CA is just under a 40-minute drive from Sacramento. You can come pick your own bundle of 11 varieties of lavender, with shades of purple, white, and pink. For the 2022 season, they are open on June 11-12, June 18-19, and June 25-26, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. The admission fee is $5 per person (children 3 and under are free), and a bundle of U-Pick lavender is $10.
Service animals are allowed.
Bywater Hollow Lavender
Address: 5950 Mount Vernon Road in LincolnBywater Hollow, owned and operated by the Bunz family, is located in Lincoln, CA – less than an hour drive from Sacramento. It’s located among award-winning boutique wineries and scenic hiking trails.
During lavender season, guests can pick their own lavender bouquets, purchase handmade products, and enjoy delicious snacks and refreshments. Unfortunately, due to some construction going on at the property, the farm is not open to the general public for U-Pick days. Check back in 2023 for the next lavender season! Photography sessions are offered year-round, by appointment only.
Festivals
Address: 3430 Madrone Street, Rumsey, CA 95679Cache Creek Lavender Farm is a two-acre plot of land in Capay Valley, CA – a little over an hour away from Sacramento. It’s owned by a sweet couple that was passionate about all things lavender. Their high-quality lavender products soon became a hit in the region, which eventually led to them hosting their annual Lavender Festival!
The Lavender Festival is a free-admission event, and is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For 2022, the festival dates are on June 11th and 12th. Come out to harvest your own lavender, taste local wines, listen to live music, make a craft or two, enjoy some lavender ice cream, and more! If you would like to purchase products, bring cash or checks because there are no ATM’s available.
Address: 6046 Pleasants Valley Road, Vacaville, CA 95688Hierbas Y Flores is a collaboration of two farms – Morningsun Herb Farm and Soul Food Farm – located in the countryside of Vacaville, CA. This year they are hosting their second annual Lavender Festival, on June 18th and 19th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The event is located at Soul Food Farm and is free to attend. You can harvest your own bundle of lavender ($8 a bundle), shop from various local vendors, enjoy live music, watch a lavender distillation demo, and purchase lemonade and ice cream. Please leave your furry friends at home!