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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Placerville & Gold Country, California
Bluestone Meadow in Apple Hill opens its lavender labyrinth and U-cut rows mid-June to early July, 20 minutes from the 1848 gold discovery site.
5 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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The Sierra foothills east of Sacramento are where the 1848 Gold Rush began, and the old mining towns along Highway 49 still sit in oak and pine country cut by the forks of the American River. Placerville is the hub, with the Apple Hill farm district on the ridge above it, Coloma's discovery site to the north, and Folsom's lake and historic powerhouse down toward the valley. Summer days are hot, so plan outdoor stops for the morning or evening and save the museums for midafternoon.
Four lavender growers work these hills, and each runs on its own schedule. Bluestone Meadow on Carson Road in Apple Hill opens for a short lavender season each June with U-cut bouquets, wreath and wand making and a labyrinth. Many Oaks Farms in Shingle Springs books U-pick hours and farm visits by appointment, Très Jolie in Grass Valley opens for appointment-only picking in June and July, and Lillards Lavenders near Lincoln sells at farmers markets and hosts a spring ClayFest. Late June is when most of them overlap.
The lavender farms
- Bluestone MeadowLavender farm · Placerville
mid-June to early July
Open on scheduled summer days only: 2027 season June 16 to July 4, 9 AM to 3 PM, with U-pick bouquets, labyrinth, barn shop, Workshop Wednesdays and festival weekends.
- Lillards LavendersLavender farm · Lincoln
Open seasonally for U-pick in designated areas, Thursday–Sunday (closed in extreme heat); weekend parking $5. Year-round presence at three Placer County farmers markets.
- Many Oaks FarmsLavender farm · Shingle Springs
Farm open Monday, Thursday and Saturday 10–2 (appointment preferred); annual one-hour U-pick for $15 booked online; farmers markets May–October.
- Tres Jolie Lavender FarmLavender farm · Grass Valley
June and July
U-pick by appointment only during bloom (June–July); call to book. Private Pilates sessions on the farm.
Best time to visit
Spring snowmelt runs the American River high, fast and cold, so take care at the water at Coloma and Auburn. Lillards Lavenders holds its ClayFest in mid-May, and Many Oaks Farms hosts Mother's Day yoga in its lavender field. Lavender season is June and July: in 2026 Bluestone Meadow opened daily from June 17 to July 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Lavender Blue festival days on late-June weekends, and Très Jolie takes U-pick appointments through June and July. Marshall Gold Discovery keeps its grounds open until 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. From June into October, Many Oaks sells lavender and produce at farmers markets in Roseville and South Lake Tahoe. Bluestone Meadow returns in mid- to late September with a hand-blown glass pumpkin event, and Apple Hill's harvest calendar takes over in fall, though its member farms welcome visitors year-round.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park🏛️ Historic site · Coloma · about 11 mi, 20 min drive
The spot on the South Fork of the American River where James Marshall found gold in 1848, with a Sutter's Mill replica, more than 20 historic buildings, the Gold Discovery Museum and the Marshall Monument above town. The 2.5-mile Gam Saan Trail links Coloma to Lotus.
Grounds from 8 a.m. (until 8 p.m. Memorial Day–Labor Day, 5 p.m. November–February); museum 9–5 March–October, 9–4 in winter; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
$10 per vehicle ($9 seniors 62+)
- Gold Bug Park & Mine🏛️ Historic site · Placerville · about 3 mi, 5 min drive
A Gold Rush-era mine you can walk into, operated by the City of Placerville, with a mining museum, a historic stamp mill, a working blacksmith shop and a gem-panning trough for kids.
Check the park's website for current hours
- Apple Hill🌉 Landmark · Camino · about 6 mi, 10 min drive
A loop of more than 50 family farms on the ridge east of Placerville with U-pick orchards, bake shops, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, wineries and cideries. Pick up the Cider Press visitor map at most member farms.
Farms welcome visitors year-round; fall harvest is the busiest time
- Folsom Lake State Recreation Area🌳 State park · Folsom · about 28 mi, 30 min drive
A large foothill reservoir with beaches and boat launches at Beals Point, Browns Ravine and Granite Bay, plus a 32-mile bike path that runs down the American River toward Old Sacramento. Leashed dogs may use trails and water but not the swim beaches.
Year-round day use; check the park's alerts page for water-quality notices
$12 per vehicle at Beals Point, Browns Ravine and Granite Bay
- Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park🏛️ Historic site · Folsom · about 30 mi, 30 min drive
An 1895 hydroelectric plant that sent high-voltage alternating current 22 miles to Sacramento, one of the first systems of its kind. See the original generators, a marble switchboard and the canal forebays.
Powerhouse Wed–Fri noon–4, Sat–Sun 9–4; visitor center Wed noon–4, Thu–Sun 9–6
$10 vehicle day use or $6 hourly parking
- Folsom History Museum🏛️ Museum · Folsom · about 30 mi, 30 min drive
The Folsom History Society's museum, with a permanent exhibit tracing the town from the Nisenan people to today and changing shows such as one on the Folsom Rodeo. The society also runs The Square, an outdoor museum and makerspace.
Call 916-985-2707 or check the website for hours
- Auburn State Recreation Area🌳 State park · Auburn · about 25 mi, 40 min drive
Canyon country along the North and Middle Forks of the American River between Auburn and Colfax, with hiking trails, river bars such as Mammoth Bar and China Bar, Lake Clementine and whitewater runs from Class II to V.
Sunrise to sunset; Mammoth Bar, China Bar and Lower Lake Clementine 8 a.m.–sunset
$10 per vehicle
- Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park🏛️ Historic site · Pine Grove · about 30 mi, 45 min drive
A rock outcrop with about 1,185 bedrock mortar holes, the largest collection in North America, plus a ceremonial roundhouse, bark houses and the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum.
Park sunrise to sunset; museum 10–4 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day)
$8 per vehicle
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Gold Hill Vineyard and BreweryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Placerville
A winery and brewery under one roof on Vineyard Lane between Placerville and Coloma, open Thursday through Sunday, 11 to 5.
- Mikuni Japanese RestaurantRestaurant · Roseville
A family-founded Japanese restaurant and sushi bar serving the Sacramento region since 1987, a handy lunch stop on the valley side of the foothills.
A one-day plan
- 9:30 AMFolsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
On a weekend the powerhouse opens at 9; walk through the generator hall and canal works in about an hour.
- 10:40 AMFolsom Lake State Recreation Area (Beals Point) · about 10 min drive
A short walk along the shore or the bike path before the day heats up; about 45 minutes.
- 11:45 AMMikuni Japanese Restaurant · about 20 min drive
Lunch in Roseville; about 1 hour.
- 1:10 PMAuburn State Recreation Area · about 25 min drive
Look down into the American River canyon and stretch your legs on a riverside trail; about 40 minutes.
- 2:20 PMMarshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park · about 30 min drive
Walk from the mill replica to the discovery site along the river; about 50 minutes.
- 3:20 PMBluestone Meadow · about 25 min drive
In its June lavender season, cut a bouquet and walk the labyrinth before the 4 p.m. close. Outside the season, end at an Apple Hill farm instead.
Tips
- The lavender farms here keep short or appointment-only seasons: Bluestone Meadow ran June 17–July 5 in 2026, and Many Oaks and Très Jolie ask you to book ahead.
- Summer afternoons in the foothills are hot; Lillards Lavenders even closes its farm in high heat, so plan field visits for the morning when you can.
- California state parks charge vehicle day-use fees at Coloma, Folsom Lake, Auburn and Pine Grove, and special rates may apply on weekends and holidays.
- Dogs are welcome on leash at Marshall Gold Discovery and Auburn, but not inside historic buildings, at Lake Clementine or on the Folsom Lake swim beaches.
- Fall weekends in Apple Hill bring heavy traffic on the ridge roads; go early in the day.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When is lavender season around Placerville?
June and July. Bluestone Meadow opened from June 17 to July 5 in 2026, and Très Jolie in Grass Valley takes U-pick appointments through June and July.
Can I pick my own lavender?
Yes, at Bluestone Meadow during its season, at Many Oaks Farms by booked one-hour session, and at Très Jolie by appointment.
Where can I see where the Gold Rush started?
At Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, about 20 minutes from Placerville, where the tailrace of Sutter's Mill is still visible.
Is there anything to do here in the fall?
Yes. Apple Hill's farms are busy with apples, pies and pumpkins, and Bluestone Meadow holds a hand-blown glass pumpkin event in September.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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