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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Suisun Valley & Fairfield, California
HvH Specialty Growers opened about 3,000 lavender plants for weekend picking from May 29 to July 5, 2026, minutes from the Suisun Marsh trails.
3 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Suisun Valley is a small farming valley tucked behind Fairfield, between the hills of Napa County and the tidal sloughs and grasslands of the Suisun Marsh. Within half an hour you can be on a tidal-marsh trail, riding an electric interurban train, standing in California's third state capitol in Benicia, or crossing into the southern end of Napa Valley. The landscape changes fast here: vineyards and orchards give way to grassland, sloughs and the Carquinez Strait.
The lavender stop is HvH Specialty Growers, a boutique flower farm that opens to the public only for four seasonal events a year. Its Lavender Celebration runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from late May into early July, when visitors walk about 3,000 lavender plants and cut their own bundles. The same farm hosts a tulip event in spring and a marigold festival around Day of the Dead, so a fall visit can still include a farm stop. Outside those event weekends the farm is closed, so plan your day around its calendar.
The lavender farms
- HvH Specialty GrowersLavender farm · Fairfield
late May to early July
Open to the public for seasonal events: Lavender Celebration Friday–Sunday 10–3, late May to early July (2026), no reservation needed; otherwise by appointment.
Best time to visit
Winter is for birds: more than 100,000 waterfowl winter in the Suisun Marsh, though Grizzly Island Wildlife Area is closed to non-hunting visitors from late July through early February. Vernal pools at Jepson Prairie fill in winter and bloom in spring, when docents lead weekend Wildflower and Critter Walks; the pools dry by late spring or early summer. HvH's Great Tulip Pull-up comes in spring, and its Lavender Celebration ran Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., from May 29 through July 5 in 2026, with wand, wreath and distilling workshops whose sign-ups open in early May. Lynch Canyon keeps longer summer hours (8 a.m.–8 p.m., May through August) and Rush Ranch is open until 7 p.m. March through October. In late October HvH turns to marigolds for its Marigolds & Monarchs festival, listed for October 23–25 and October 30–November 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., followed by a Holiday Greens event.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Rush Ranch Open Space🌲 Preserve · Suisun City · about 6 mi, 15 min drive
A 2,070-acre Solano Land Trust ranch on the edge of the Suisun Marsh with over 3 miles of trails through tidal marsh and grassland, plus a historic blacksmith shop used for demonstrations at events. Part of the Marsh Trail is closed where the levee to Goat Island has worn away.
Daily; 8 a.m.–7 p.m. March–October, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. November–February
- Grizzly Island Wildlife Area🌲 Preserve · Suisun City · about 13 mi, 25 min drive
About 12,900 acres of state wildlife land in the Suisun Marsh with roughly 75 miles of roads and trails along tidal sloughs. Look for wintering waterfowl, raptors and marsh birds; sign in at the entry gate booth.
Closed to non-hunting use from late July through early February; may close for winter flooding (call 707-425-3828)
- Western Railway Museum🏛️ Museum · Suisun City · about 15 mi, 25 min drive
A railway museum on Highway 12 east of Suisun City whose collection includes an 11-mile, electrically powered train trip on operating days.
Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. year-round (closed major winter holidays)
Admission charged; buy tickets online or by phone ahead of time
- Jepson Prairie Preserve🌲 Preserve · Dixon · about 20 mi, 35 min drive
A Solano Land Trust preserve protecting California vernal pools, about 10 miles south of Dixon. Self-guided access is limited, so join a spring weekend Wildflower and Critter Walk with the docents.
Spring docent walks on weekends; pools fill in winter and dry by early summer
- Lynch Canyon Open Space🏞️ Park · Fairfield · about 10 mi, 20 min drive
1,039 acres of open hills between Fairfield and Vallejo with over 10 miles of multi-use trails; golden eagles and red-tailed hawks are often overhead.
Friday–Monday; 8 a.m.–8 p.m. May–August, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. September–April
$5 parking, cash or check
- Skyline Wilderness Park🏞️ Park · Napa · about 12 mi, 20 min drive
A wilderness park on Napa's southeast edge off Imola Avenue with hiking trails close to downtown Napa. Dogs are not allowed on its trails.
Daily 7 a.m.–7 p.m. in daylight saving time, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. in winter; no entry in the last 30 minutes
Day pass required (sold online)
- Benicia Capitol State Historic Park🏛️ Historic site · Benicia · about 19 mi, 35 min drive
The brick building that served as California's capitol in 1853–1854, the only surviving capitol from before the move to Sacramento, with restored Senate and Assembly chambers. The Fischer-Hanlon House next door opens for weekend tours.
Friday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Adults $3, youth $2, 5 and under free
- Benicia State Recreation Area🌳 State park · Benicia · about 17 mi, 30 min drive
Tidal marsh, grassy hills and rocky beaches on the narrowest part of the Carquinez Strait, with about 2.5 miles of road and bike paths and fishing at Dillon's Point. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Daily 8 a.m. to sunset
$6 per vehicle
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Downtown Joe'sRestaurant · Napa
Brewery and restaurant on Main Street in downtown Napa that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and welcomes dogs on its heated patio.
- DarioushWinery or vineyard (21+) · Napa
Silverado Trail winery built in the style of ancient Persepolis, open daily 10 to 5 with tastings booked through its website.
- Chimney Rock WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Napa
Stags Leap District estate in Cape Dutch-style buildings above the Silverado Trail, open by reservation daily 10 to 5.
- Frazier WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Napa
Small family winery in the Coombsville hills east of Napa making about 2,500 cases a year of estate cabernet and merlot; contact them before visiting.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMHvH Specialty Growers
On a Lavender Celebration weekend, walk the rows and cut a bundle to take home; about 1 hour. Outside event dates the farm is closed, so start at Rush Ranch instead.
- 11:20 AMRush Ranch Open Space · about 15 min drive
Walk part of the Marsh Trail out toward the tidal sloughs and look in at the ranch buildings; about 1 hour.
- 12:45 PMWestern Railway Museum · about 15 min drive
On a Saturday or Sunday, ride the 11-mile electric train and walk the car barns; about 1.5 hours. Pack a snack, as lunch comes after.
- 2:45 PMDowntown Joe's · about 40 min drive
Late lunch in downtown Napa; about 1 hour.
- 4:00 PMDarioush · about 15 min drive
A reserved tasting at the Persepolis-style winery before its 5 p.m. close; plan a designated driver.
- 5:15 PMSkyline Wilderness Park · about 15 min drive
In summer the park stays open until 7, long enough for an hour's walk into the hills before dinner.
Tips
- HvH is open only on its event days and needs no reservation for the Lavender Celebration; check its events page for the next dates.
- Leashed dogs are welcome at HvH and Benicia State Recreation Area, but not on Skyline's trails, at Jepson Prairie or on Rush Ranch's Marsh and South Pasture trails.
- Lynch Canyon is open only Friday through Monday and takes cash or check for its $5 parking fee.
- Buy Western Railway Museum tickets ahead, since sales at the door are not guaranteed.
- Call Grizzly Island (707-425-3828) before driving out; it is closed to non-hunting visitors from late July to early February.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When can I pick lavender in Suisun Valley?
HvH Specialty Growers held its Lavender Celebration on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 29 to July 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with pick-your-own bundles.
Is HvH open in the fall?
Only for events. Its Marigolds & Monarchs festival with marigold garland kits and a flower stand runs on late-October weekends, followed by a Holiday Greens event.
Where can I see wildlife in the Suisun Marsh?
Rush Ranch is open daily with marsh trails. Grizzly Island Wildlife Area is larger but closed to non-hunting visitors from late July through early February.
Can I bring my dog?
HvH allows well-behaved leashed dogs that stay out of the flower beds. Rush Ranch limits dogs to the Suisun Hill Trail and ranch area, and Jepson Prairie allows no pets.
🪪 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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