It’s official: flowers really DO make people happier. Multiple studies have confirmed that flowers have both an immediate positive impact on your mood, as well as long-term emotional health benefits. Ready to put this theory to the test? You don’t need a doctor’s note…just visit one of these stunning California flower farms for a quick hit of happiness.
Visit a California U-Pick Flower Farm
U-pick flower farms are becoming increasingly popular across the state – and with good reason. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a custom U-pick bouquet? Well, that’s priceless.
Flowers are an agricultural product, so the exact season varies annually. Be sure to check hours and dates in advance on their website and follow your favorite farms on social media for all the latest info.
Dutch Hollow Farms
Tulips are some of the first blooms to break through the winter gloom – and with 100 different varieties of tulips, Dutch Hollow Farms is a technicolor dream. Tour the barn, visit the friendly farm animals, fill a basket with fresh-cut flowers and snap a photo in front of the windmill – a nod to founder John Bos’ Dutch heritage.
Sunflower Farm Stand
There’s something magical about sunflowers – the lanky stems make visitors feel enveloped by the field. At Sunflower Farm Stand in Sanger, guests can pick their own bouquet, strike a pose in the rows, or even schedule a professional photo shoot (with advance permission).
Pro tip: Don’t skip the farm stand! Stock up on the Stromby family’s locally grown stonefruit.
Lavender Fresh Farm
A twilight stroll through the lavender fields? Yes, please! Add a glass of lavender lemonade and a few lavender-infused sweets, and you’ve got all the makings of a dreamy summer date night.
Lavineyard Farms
Set in the rolling foothills of Shasta County, Lavineyard Farms is idyllic and educational. Wander through a collection of rare lavender varieties, create the perfect U-pick bouquet or get crafty with a DIY class where you can make lavender wreaths, candles and more.
Park Winters
Stay and play at Park Winters! Book a room at their historic inn and spend the weekend exploring their gorgeous gardens. Guests are encouraged to attend their famous farm-to-table Saturday brunch, then spend the afternoon at the flower farm and pick your own bouquet of seasonal blooms.
Sweet Thistle Farms
This Central Valley pumpkin patch + flower farm is a family favorite. Their Fresh Friday farmstand is open year-round, but fall is when Sweet Thistle Farms really comes to life. Hunt for the perfect pumpkin, collect an armful of colorful blooms and sample goat cheese from Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery. If you’re visiting with kids, don’t miss their retro play equipment – including a tetherball and seesaw!
Debellis Ranch
If you thought flowers couldn’t grow in the desert, Debellis Ranch is determined to prove you wrong. Pick your own bouquet, shop the small-but-might farmstand, and be sure to say hello to the adorable members of the feline pest control team!
Avila Valley Barn
Avila Valley Barn is basically the Disneyland of U-pick flower farms. Granted, there are no roller coasters, but they do boast lots of friendly animals, obsession-worthy snacks, and a farm store filled to the brim with locally grown produce and goods.
U-pick flower season at Avila Valley Barn runs from July through October, but the farm offers a variety of U-pick experiences all year long!
You can’t pick your own bouquet…but you can tour these California flower farms
Full Belly Farm
The beloved Yolo County Farm grows over 80 different organic crops, including a variety of cut flowers. Plan to attend one of their monthly dinners, where you’ll be treated to a farm-to-table feast and a guided farm tour. Then, shop the farmstand and stock up on flowers and fresh produce!
Hedgerow Farms
Hedgerow Farms grows native flowers and grasses for use in restoration projects throughout the state. Their colorful flower fields add a burst of brilliant color to Yolo County’s already impressive landscape. During Hedgerow Farm’s annual spring Field Day, guests are invited to visit the flower fields, chat with experts and enjoy a guided tour where they’ll learn more about California’s ecology.
The Flower Fields
The Flower Fields is arguably California’s most famous flower farm. Even if you’ve seen the countless rows of colorful blooms on Instagram, nothing compares to visiting in person. Open March through May, the Flower Fields invites guests to explore 55 acres of vibrant ranunculus blooms on foot or via a guided tractor tour. Snapping countless selfies and asking strangers to take pictures of you and your crew is optional, but highly encouraged.
Roses of Yesterday and Today
Roses of Yesterday and Today is more than just a garden; it’s a love letter to horticultural history. Plan your visit during May or June to see over 230 different rare and heirloom roses in full bloom!
California nurseries- where you can romanticize your life and beautify your home and garden
Ready to add some color to your life? Whether you’re interested in succulents, orchids or native plants, these California nurseries have everything you need to succeed.
Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by Hilary Rance and James Collier.