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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Santa Rosa & Northern Sonoma County, California
Bees N Blooms' lavender labyrinth peaks late May to mid-July, and Armstrong Redwoods near Guerneville shelters a redwood over 1,400 years old.
7 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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Santa Rosa sits in the middle of Sonoma County, with oak hills and state parks rising on its east side and the Russian River valley running north toward Windsor, Healdsburg and Geyserville. A short drive in any direction puts you in a redwood grove, on a lakeside loop or at a garden that shaped modern plant breeding. The towns are close together, so one day can mix a hike, a museum and a lavender field without long stretches in the car.
Lavender here is an early-summer crop. Bees N Blooms, a certified organic farm on Petaluma Hill Road southeast of Santa Rosa, plants its lavender as a walkable labyrinth and opens it for a ticketed Bloom Fest from late May into July. In Bennett Valley, Matanzas Creek Winery grows three acres of lavender gardens that bloom mid-May through July. Up in the Alexander Valley near Geyserville, Purple Hills Lavender Farm is a young half-acre field with picnic tables and goats that opens by season. Plan on June for the most color.
The lavender farms
- Bees N BloomsLavender farm · Santa Rosa
late May to mid-July (English varieties early to mid-June, French late June to mid-July)
Grounds closed to the public until March 2027. In season (late March to early October) the farm opens for self-guided visits, ticketed bloom days with reservations, U-cut weekends, group tours and workshops.
- Purple Hills Lavender FarmLavender farm · Geyserville
Closed to the public until next season; visits booked online, with check-in at the farm shop. Photo sessions and small gatherings by arrangement.
- Starr Creek LavenderLavender farm · Windsor
Best time to visit
Wildflowers are at their best in Trione-Annadel State Park from early spring into early summer, and Bees N Blooms opens its farm season from late March. Lavender takes over from mid-May: Matanzas Creek's gardens bloom from mid-May through the end of July, and Bees N Blooms says its English varieties peak in early to mid-June and its French varieties in late June to mid-July. In 2026 its Bloom Fest held sunset evenings on May 29 and every Friday in June, lavender U-cut weekends on June 27–28, July 4–5 and July 11–12, and a jazz day on July 12. Spring Lake's lifeguarded swimming lagoon and kayak rentals run Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Tours of the Luther Burbank Home run April through October (the 2026 tour season ends October 31), though the gardens stay open all year. Bees N Blooms closes to the public from early October until March 2027, and posts winter garden workshop dates in late October.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Trione-Annadel State Park🌳 State park · Santa Rosa · about 6 mi, 15 min drive
More than 5,000 acres and over 40 miles of trails on Santa Rosa's east edge. The easy Channel Trail out-and-back is 2.2 miles; the 26-acre Lake Ilsanjo is reachable only on foot, bike or horse.
Daily 8 a.m. to sunset; wildflowers best early spring to early summer
Vehicle day-use fee (posted as $7–$8; higher rates possible on weekends and holidays)
- Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve🌲 Preserve · Guerneville · about 25 mi, 45 min drive
An old-growth redwood grove where the Colonel Armstrong Tree is estimated at over 1,400 years old and the Parson Jones Tree tops 310 feet. The flat, wheelchair-accessible Pioneer Nature Trail is about 1.5 miles round trip.
8 a.m. to one hour after sunset; visitor center 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
$10 per vehicle ($9 with a passenger 62 or older), due on arrival
- Jack London State Historic Park🏛️ Historic site · Glen Ellen · about 11 mi, 20 min drive
Jack London's Beauty Ranch, with the House of Happy Walls museum, his cottage, the stone ruins of Wolf House (burned in 1913) and 26 miles of trails. A one-mile walk leads to the lake and bathhouse he built.
Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed December 25); museum 10–5, cottage noon–4
Vehicle day-use fee; check the park page for the current rate
- Sugarloaf Ridge State Park🌳 State park · Kenwood · about 13 mi, 25 min drive
About 25 miles of trails through oak woodland and chaparral, topped by 2,729-foot Bald Mountain, with views to the Sierra Nevada and the Golden Gate on clear days. The Robert Ferguson Observatory holds astronomy programs year-round.
Day use 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; headquarters 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
$8 per vehicle (higher rates possible on peak dates)
- Spring Lake Regional Park🏞️ Park · Santa Rosa · about 6 mi, 10 min drive
A 320-acre park around a 72-acre lake with no gas motors, nearly 10 miles of trails and a paved 2.3-mile loop. A free, lifeguarded swimming lagoon and kayak and paddleboard rentals run in summer.
7 a.m. to sunset; swimming lagoon Memorial Day weekend–Labor Day
Parking $8 fall–spring, $12 summer
- Foothill Regional Park🏞️ Park · Windsor · about 15 mi, 25 min drive
211 acres of oak hills in Windsor with three fishing ponds and nearly 7 miles of trails; the pond loops are for hikers only. Leashed dogs are welcome.
7 a.m. to sunset; may close in high wind or storms
Parking $8
- Riverfront Regional Park🏞️ Park · Healdsburg · about 17 mi, 30 min drive
Two former gravel pits, Lake Benoist and Lake Wilson, now used for fishing and paddling, circled by a roughly 2-mile Lake Trail with a spur to a small Russian River gravel beach. Swimming is not allowed in the lakes.
7 a.m. to sunset; part of the Lake Benoist loop is closed by flooding (fall 2026)
Parking $8 fall–spring, $12 summer
- Luther Burbank Home & Gardens🌷 Garden · Santa Rosa · about 3 mi, 10 min drive
The downtown home, greenhouse and gardens of plant breeder Luther Burbank, with a rose garden, a spineless cactus garden and beds of his Shasta daisies and plums. Kids can try the 30-stop garden scavenger hunt.
Gardens daily 8 a.m.–7 p.m. April–October, 8–5 November–March; home tours April–October, Tue–Sat 10–4, Sun 1–4
Gardens free; home tour $12 general, $10 students and seniors, under 12 free
- Charles M. Schulz Museum🏛️ Museum · Santa Rosa · about 6 mi, 15 min drive
The museum devoted to Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, with permanent and changing exhibitions, a theater and a research center.
Mon, Wed–Fri 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Matanzas Creek WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Santa Rosa
Three acres of lavender gardens in Bennett Valley that bloom mid-May through July, plus a Lavender Market shop open daily 10–4:30 without a reservation.
- ca'bianca.comRestaurant · Santa Rosa
Italian restaurant on Second Street in downtown Santa Rosa, a few blocks from the Burbank gardens, with weekday lunch specials 11:30 to 2:30.
- Pedroncelli WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Geyserville
Family winery on Canyon Road since 1927, now run by the third and fourth generations, a few minutes from Purple Hills.
- Jordan Vineyard & WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Geyserville
A 1,200-acre Alexander Valley estate known for cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, with tours and tastings booked ahead.
- Korbel Champagne CellarsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Guerneville
Historic sparkling-wine cellars on River Road with a deli, a short drive from the Armstrong Redwoods grove.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMTrione-Annadel State Park
Walk the easy 2.2-mile Channel Trail out and back from the Channel Drive lots; about 1.5 hours.
- 11:45 AMMatanzas Creek Winery lavender gardens · about 20 min drive
Stroll the lavender gardens and browse the Lavender Market; tastings need a reservation and are 21+. About 45 minutes.
- 12:45 PMCa'Bianca · about 20 min drive
Weekday lunch specials in downtown Santa Rosa; about 1 hour.
- 2:00 PMLuther Burbank Home & Gardens · about 5 min drive
Free garden walk, or join a home tour (April–October, Tue–Sat until 4); about 1 hour.
- 3:15 PMCharles M. Schulz Museum · about 10 min drive
About 1.5 hours with the exhibits; open until 5 (closed Tuesdays).
- 6:00 PMBees N Blooms · about 25 min drive
On Fridays in June the farm has held ticketed sunset evenings (6–9 p.m. in 2026); bring a picnic dinner and walk the labyrinth. Outside bloom season the farm is closed, so end at Spring Lake's 2.3-mile loop instead.
Tips
- Bees N Blooms requires reservations for Bloom Fest; in 2026 tickets were $15 ($20 on jazz day) and kids 12 and under were free with an adult.
- Dogs are limited to paved and developed areas in Annadel, Armstrong Redwoods, Jack London and Sugarloaf; Spring Lake, Foothill and Riverfront allow leashed dogs on trails. Purple Hills asks guests to leave pets at home.
- Pay the Armstrong Redwoods day-use fee on arrival even if the kiosk is empty, and expect patchy cell coverage in the grove.
- The Schulz Museum is closed on Tuesdays, and Ca'Bianca's lunch specials run Monday through Friday only.
- Tasting rooms such as Matanzas Creek are 21+ and book ahead; plan a designated driver if you add a tasting.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does lavender bloom around Santa Rosa?
Bees N Blooms says its lavender blooms from late May through mid-July, and Matanzas Creek's gardens bloom from mid-May through the end of July. June is the safest bet.
Can I visit Bees N Blooms in the fall?
No. The farm is closed to the public from early October until March 2027; winter garden workshop dates are posted in late October.
Is the Luther Burbank garden free?
Yes. The gardens are free and open daily; guided home tours cost $12 for adults and run April through October.
Where can I hike with my dog?
Spring Lake, Foothill and Riverfront regional parks allow leashed dogs on their trails. The state parks nearby keep dogs to paved and developed areas.
How far are the redwoods from Santa Rosa?
Armstrong Redwoods is just north of Guerneville, about 45 minutes' drive from Bees N Blooms, and its Pioneer Nature Trail is flat and wheelchair accessible.
🪪 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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