California has no shortage of seasonal blooms, but lavender season holds a special place for Ruby and me. There’s something about wandering through rows of fragrant purple flowers with a golden doodle trotting alongside you that feels like the most Northern California thing you can possibly do in June.

The good news: several of Northern California’s most beautiful lavender farms genuinely welcome dogs — not just tolerate them. I’ve visited nearly all of the farms in this guide firsthand (with one noted exception I’ve flagged below), so you’re getting real-trip intel, not a roundup cobbled together from other blogs.

Below you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit: bloom windows, reservation requirements, dog policies, private photo session details, and the honest quirks of each farm.

When to Visit Lavender Fields in Northern California

The best time to visit lavender farms in Northern California is mid-May through mid-July, with peak bloom typically landing in June. Lavender hits its most vibrant purple around mid-to-late June — and it goes fast. Once farms begin harvesting (usually by early July), the flowers are gone until the following summer.

My strongest recommendation: follow the farms on Instagram before you go. Most share daily or weekly field updates during bloom season so you can time your visit to peak color rather than arriving to half-harvested rows. Checking their stories takes two minutes and saves a wasted trip.

One more timing note: mornings and evenings are the best times to visit with your dog. Lavender farms are often exposed, with little shade, and June temperatures in the Sacramento Valley and Sierra foothills can climb fast. An early or late slot keeps both of you comfortable and gives you better light for photos.

Tips for Visiting a Lavender Farm with Your Dog

A few things I’ve learned from doing this with Ruby:

Bring more water than you think you need — for both of you. Collapsible silicone bowls are easy to tuck in a bag and make quick hydration stops much simpler. If the farm allows u-pick, keep your dog close and off the plants; loose dogs can do real damage to lavender rows and will get you asked to leave.

Wear closed-toe shoes, and if you’re heading to Capay Valley, bring dog booties. The burs there were bad enough that Ruby couldn’t walk and we had to carry her around. Don’t skip this.

Pack waste bags and actually use them. Every farm that welcomes dogs mentions cleanup in their policy, and the ones that don’t enforce it tend to quietly stop being dog-friendly after a season or two. 

Check each farm’s current dog policy before you go — policies occasionally change and the hours listed here are from recent seasons but may shift.

Six Dog-Friendly Lavender Fields in Northern California

1. Araceli Farms — Dixon

7389 Pitt School Rd, Dixon, CA 95620

Friday: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Araceli Farms in Dixon is one of the largest lavender fields in Northern California — six acres planted with seven different lavender varieties — and the whole setup is designed with photographers in mind. Timed ticket sessions give you an hour in the field, which is plenty of time to wander, take pictures, and let your dog do her thing in the rows.

The multi-variety planting means bloom times are staggered, so the field looks different almost week by week. One section might be at peak while another is just beginning to open. I always check their Instagram stories (@aracelifarms) before buying tickets — they post field updates regularly and it’s the most reliable way to know what you’re walking into.

Dogs are genuinely welcomed here. The policy is simple: clean up after your dog, carry them through the lavender rows if you can (to protect the plants), keep them hydrated, and be aware of the bees.

Private photo sessions are available in the morning and evening for $90/hour — ideal if you want the field to yourselves and the golden-hour light.

Dog-Friendly Details for Araceli Farms:

• Dogs welcome: Yes — leashed and owner must clean up
• Tickets: Timed 1-hour sessions, advance reservation required
• Private sessions: $90/hour for morning and evening slots
• Parking: Designated areas off Midway when you enter
• Insider tip: With 7 varieties, no two weeks look the same — always check their Instagram before buying tickets

2. Bees N Blooms — Santa Rosa

3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Friday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Select Wednesdays: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Lavender Sunset Evenings)

Bees N Blooms is a charming farm just outside Santa Rosa that opens for their annual Lavender Daze event from mid-May through mid-July. What makes the layout here unique is that the lavender is planted in a labyrinth of seven circles, each featuring a different varietal. It’s genuinely fun to walk through — more of an experience than just a field.

Admission is $15 per person (kids 12 and under are free), and tickets can be purchased through their online store. Reservations are required during bloom season. If you’re hoping for the best light and fewer people, their Lavender Sunset Evenings on select Wednesdays from 6 to 9 PM are the move — good for photos, good for dogs, lower crowds.

The dog policy is a little more layered here than at other farms. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on public open-farm days, but not at private events. They have cats, chickens, geese, and ducks that roam the property, so your dog needs to be genuinely calm around farm animals. Dogs are also not allowed in the vegetable garden or the u-cut field, and the turf areas in the labyrinth and North Pavilion are off-limits as bathroom spots. If your dog does fine around other animals and you’re attentive, it’s a great visit.

Dog-Friendly Details for Bees N Blooms:

• Dogs welcome: Yes on open-farm days; not at private events
• Admission: $15/person; kids 12 and under free
• Tickets: Purchase online; reservations required
• Private sessions: $50/hour for evening slots; reserve at least 3 days in advance — book here
• Note: Dogs not permitted in the vegetable garden or u-cut field; must be leashed at all times

3. Capay Valley Lavender Farm — Capay

20470 Co Rd 79, Capay, CA 95607

Wednesday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Saturdays in June: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Golden Hour Sunset Strolls)

Capay Valley Lavender Farm is the most expansive farm on this list — 26 acres of lavender, herbs, and olive trees in the quiet Capay Valley, about an hour west of Sacramento. It’s organic, which matters if you’re particular about what your dog trots through, and the setting — rolling valley, shade trees, picnic tables scattered through the rows — makes it one of the most relaxed visits on this list.

During bloom season you can stroll the fields, take photos, and cut your own bouquet. If you want the field to yourself, private photography sessions are available for $100 for three hours between 6 and 9 PM. Their Golden Hour Sunset Strolls on Saturdays in June are a popular option if you want some structure without going fully private.

A serious heads-up about burs: depending on when you visit, the fields can be absolutely covered in them. When we visited, Ruby got so many burs embedded in her paws that she couldn’t walk — we ended up carrying her out. Dog booties are not optional here, they’re essential. If you don’t have them, consider visiting earlier in the season before the burs take over, and check the farm’s social media before you go.

The farm dog — Capay, their Welsh terrier — loves visitors and can often be found wandering the rows, which tells you something about the vibe here.

Dog-Friendly Details for Capay Valley Lavender:

• Dogs welcome: Yes — leashed; the farm’s own Welsh terrier is often out to greet visitors
• Hours vary by season; always check their site
• Private sessions: $100 for 3 hours from 6-9 PM; reserve online
• Events: RSVP for farm experiences here
• Parking: Yes, available on-site
• Insider tip: Bring dog booties or check for burs — the fields get burry by midsummer

4. Pageo Lavender Farm — Turlock

11573 Golf Link Rd, Turlock, CA 95380

Wednesday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Pageo Lavender Farm in Turlock is a beautiful, well-established farm in the San Joaquin Valley with endless rows of fragrant lavender, a gift shop full of lavender-infused products, and a wonderful lunch program under towering redwoods that’s worth building a visit around.

What sets Pageo apart is the Lavender Nites event — held on two select evenings in late May and early June, the farm transforms after dark with soft illumination across the fields, live music, artisan food vendors, and a genuinely magical atmosphere that’s worth the drive on its own. The evening event is dog-friendly, which is a nice bonus.

Evening photography hours can be reserved for $100/hour — see pricing details by time and group size on their website and email to confirm.

Dog-Friendly Details for Pageo Lavender Farm:

• Dogs welcome: Yes — allowed in the field; must stay on leash
• Private sessions: $100/hour; see pricing here and email to confirm
• Advance reservation: Required for private shoots only
• Parking: Yes, on-site
• Don’t miss: The Lavender Nites evening event (late May/early June) — one of the most unique lavender experiences in NorCal

5. Matanzas Creek Winery — Santa Rosa

6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM Friday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

I haven’t personally visited Matanzas Creek with Ruby yet — it’s next on our list. 

Matanzas Creek is a well-established Sonoma County winery in Bennett Valley that has maintained terraced lavender gardens since 1991. The gardens cover over three acres and bloom each June alongside a full calendar of events including yoga sessions, summer concerts, and their annual “Days of Wine & Lavender” celebration, which typically features harvesting demonstrations, lavender-inspired food, live music, and barrel-select wine tastings.

The winery produces a line of handcrafted lavender goods sold at their on-site Lavender Market — body butter, essential oil roll-ons, culinary lavender, and home fragrances — and the grounds include bocce and picnic spots. Wine tastings and estate experiences are available daily by reservation, with walk-ins welcome on a first-come basis.

Dogs are reportedly welcome in both the tasting room and on the grounds, leashed and with cleanup expected. Because I haven’t been here personally, I’d recommend calling ahead to confirm current dog access before making the trip specifically for this farm.

Dog-Friendly Details for Matanzas Creek Winery:

• Dogs welcome: Reported yes — tasting room and grounds; leash required
• Reservations: Recommended for wine tastings; walk-ins accepted
• Lavender Market: Open daily 10 AM – 4:30 PM
• Best time: Mid-June for peak bloom and the Days of Wine & Lavender event

6. Bluestone Meadow — Placerville (Apple Hill)

2025 Carson Rd, Placerville, CA 95667

Open annually for Lavender Blue Harvest Days (typically mid-June through early July) Wed – Fri: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Sat – Sun: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

I haven’t visited Bluestone Meadow personally yet — this entry is included based on research and confirmed dog-friendly status, but I’ll update it with firsthand notes once Ruby and I make the trip.

Bluestone Meadow is a five-acre lavender farm and wedding venue tucked into the Apple Hill farming community in the Sierra foothills, about 45 minutes east of Sacramento and a convenient stop if you’re heading toward Lake Tahoe. They grow English and French lavender and open for their annual Lavender Blue Harvest Days in June, with u-pick lavender, craft activities, a kids zone with a tractor train, and a great farm-market vibe.

Dogs are confirmed welcome on leash — the farm explicitly lists itself as dog-friendly and multiple visitor accounts confirm it. One important note given the location: Apple Hill in June gets hot. Plan your visit for morning hours and bring plenty of water, as leaving your dog in the car is not an option.

Advance reservation is recommended as ticket slots fill quickly, especially on weekends. Check bluestonemeadow.com for current season dates before you go.

Dog-Friendly Details for Bluestone Meadow:

• Dogs welcome: Yes — leashed
• Hours and dates: Vary by season; check bluestonemeadow.com for current info
• U-pick: Yes — tools provided
• Parking: On-site
• Great for: A combined Tahoe road trip stop or Sacramento day trip into Apple Hill wine country
• Insider tip: Morning visits are essential in June — the foothills heat up fast and dogs don’t do well in hot cars

Planning Your Dog-Friendly Lavender Farm Visit

Which farm is best for photos? Araceli Farms in Dixon is the most photogenic and photo-session oriented, with timed tickets and both morning and evening private slots. Capay Valley and Pageo also offer dedicated private hours.

Which is best for a day trip from the Bay Area? Bees N Blooms and Matanzas Creek are both in Santa Rosa, making them natural pairs for a Sonoma wine country weekend. If you’re already planning a trip through wine country, our Dog-friendly Guide to Napa Valley has plenty of recommendations for making a weekend out of your trip.

Which is easiest from Sacramento? Araceli Farms in Dixon is the closest and most accessible, followed by Capay Valley about an hour west. Bluestone Meadow in Placerville is a solid option if you’re heading east toward Lake Tahoe.

What should I bring?

• Water and a collapsible bowl for your dog
• Waste bags (bring extras)
• Sunscreen and a hat for you
• Closed-toe shoes (lavender fields are uneven)
• Dog booties — non-negotiable if you’re going to Capay Valley; the burs are serious
• Layers — mornings can be cool even in June before the heat sets in

Is lavender safe for dogs? Lavender is generally considered low-toxicity for dogs in small amounts, but ingesting large quantities of lavender essential oil or concentrated lavender products can cause issues. Keep your dog from eating the plants and you’ll be fine in a normal farm visit.

More Dog-Friendly NorCal Adventures

Lavender season coincides with some of the best hiking weather in Northern California. If you’re planning a farm visit and want to make a full weekend out of it, our Dog-Friendly Hikes in Northern California guide covers 35+ trails across the region — many of them close to the farms listed here. And if you’re looking for places to stay, we’ve rounded up the best dog-friendly hotels in Northern California from Sonoma to Sacramento to the Sierra foothills.

Have you visited any of these farms with your dog? I’d love to hear which one was your favorite — drop it in the comments.