LA lavender season is short, fragrant, and spread across five very different outings—a free garden stroll in Corona del Mar, a walkable Ojai park festival, a ticketed lights-and-lavender night in Cherry Valley, a one-day SBCC meadow fair, and pick-your-own rows in Moorpark once July hits. One kid will want to smell everything; another will refuse anything purple. This guide maps the 2026 calendar so you can match drive time, budget, and nap math.
Browse lavender events on Play Map LA for live times, maps, and updates.
Short on time? Jump to the calendar & compare at the end or the FAQ.
Start here: five lavender outings worth the trip
Lavender Market at Roger's Gardens (through June 14)
Corona del Mar · free to browse · 9 AM–6 PM daily
The calmest pick on the list: ten days of lavender plants, fragrance sampling, gourmet lavender foods, and bath products along garden paths—without ticketed-fair chaos. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Corona del Mar. Stroller- and dog-friendly; products sold separately.
Best for kids who like flowers, smells, and wandering. Skip if your child is overwhelmed by strong fragrance in tight vendor rows—stick to the open garden paths.
See hours, location, and what's on this week →
Mini plan: Garden center first, then a short stop at Corona del Mar State Beach if sand energy remains.
Ojai Lavender Festival (June 20)
Libbey Park, Ojai · free admission · 10 AM–4 PM
Downtown Ojai festival in Libbey Park (210 S Signal St)—lavender vendors, local farms, live music (Cindy Kalmenson's Trio 12–3 PM), face painting, coloring station, and the adjacent Libbey Park Playground. Free admission; food and crafts sold separately. About 75–90 minutes from central LA.
Best for families who want a walkable park festival with playground backup. Plan an early departure if you're nap-sensitive on the drive home.
Make a day of it: Festival morning in the park, then stroll Ojai Ave—browse the outdoor shelves at Bart's Books (302 W Matilija St) while kids pick a title, let them burn energy at Libbey Park Playground again after lunch, and save room for gelato or a treat downtown.
Lunch nearby: Boccali's (pizza, pasta, and valley views—popular with families; short drive from downtown) and Papa Lennon's (pizza and Italian comfort food on Ojai Ave). Both get busy on festival day—go early or call ahead.
Check vendor lineup and parking notes →
Mini plan: Festival + playground first, Bart's Books browse, lunch at Boccali's or Papa Lennon's, then home before the afternoon melt.
22nd Annual Lavender Festival at 123 Farm (June 7–July 19)
Cherry Valley (near Beaumont) · ticketed · select evenings
The big-spectacle option: 20 acres of organic lavender, marketplace, lavender food and drinks, and 100,000 lights after dark. 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley. Hours vary—Sat/Sun 12 PM–10 PM; some weekdays 5–10 PM. Tickets required online in advance (not sold at the door).
Family highlights: free kids crafts, petting zoo Sat/Sun 1–5 PM, live music nightly, tractor wagon tours (extra fee). No pets; uneven terrain—wheelchair access limited. Best for a planned half-day or evening, not a quick errand.
See ticket tiers, hours, and what's included →
Mini plan: Arrive near opening on a weekday evening for calmer fields; leave before overtired meltdowns stack.
Santa Barbara Lavender Festival (June 27)
SBCC Great Meadow · free admission · 11 AM–5 PM
One-day arts-and-crafts festival at Santa Barbara City College West Campus—721 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara. Artisan vendors, local lavender farms, live entertainment. Navigate to Garvin Theater for the meadow. Free admission; festival promotes free parking (some SBCC/city lower lots may charge a minimal fee).
Best paired with a Santa Barbara beach or harbor walk if you're already making the ~90-minute coastal drive.
Open the map and directions to Garvin Theater →
Pick Your Own Lavender at Underwood Family Farms (July)
Moorpark Farm Center · gate admission · 9 AM–6 PM daily
When lavender appears on Pick Your Own This Week, families harvest bunches in the fields at 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark. Borrow clippers and sizing rings at the flower shop (leave car keys); checkout at the Flower Shop. Typical bunch pricing when posted: small/medium/large tiers (confirm live on PYO page).
Gate admission: $8 weekdays / $12 weekends & holidays; under 2 and parking free. Tractor wagon rides and Animal Center included. July is the usual bloom window—always confirm fields are open before you go.
Check gate pricing and July bloom window →
Mini plan: PYO first while everyone is fresh, then Animal Center before nap time.
What to bring
- Sun hats and water — all five are primarily outdoor
- Change of shirt for PYO and messy farm visits
- Online tickets printed or on phone for 123 Farm (required in advance)
- Realistic drive expectations — Ojai, Santa Barbara, Cherry Valley, and Moorpark are not quick errands from central LA
Plan your lavender season
Open Play Map LA events to filter by date and neighborhood, save favorites, and check maps before you leave.
Subscribe to the Play Map LA newsletter for weekly picks and seasonal guides like this one.
More summer planning: Free + paid things to do with kids in LA + OC this summer · Best splash pads in Los Angeles (2026) for hot afternoons after morning lavender.
2026 lavender calendar & which outing fits your family
| Dates | Event | Where | Cost | Best if you want… |
|---|
| Jun 5–14 | Lavender Market at Roger's Gardens | Corona del Mar (OC) | Free to browse | Free + lowest stress |
| Jun 7–Jul 19 | 22nd Annual Lavender Festival at 123 Farm | Cherry Valley (Inland Empire) | Ticketed from ~$8; buy online | Big lights / full evening |
| Jun 20 | Ojai Lavender Festival | Libbey Park, Ojai | Free admission | Playground + downtown stroll |
| Jun 27 | Santa Barbara Lavender Festival | SBCC Great Meadow | Free admission | Coastal day trip + fair |
| Jul 1–31 (typical) | Pick-your-own lavender | Underwood Family Farms, Moorpark | Gate $8 weekdays / $12 weekends | Harvest your own bunches |
Peak bloom is usually late June through mid-July, but weather shifts each venue by a week or two—confirm before a long drive.
Frequently asked questions
Where can kids see lavender near Los Angeles in 2026?
Roger's Gardens (Corona del Mar, through June 14), Ojai Lavender Festival (June 20), 123 Farm (June 7–July 19), Santa Barbara Lavender Festival (June 27), and Underwood Family Farms pick-your-own in July (Moorpark).
Which lavender events near LA are free?
Free admission or free browse: Roger's Gardens Lavender Market (products extra), Ojai Lavender Festival, and Santa Barbara Lavender Festival. 123 Farm and Underwood charge tickets or gate admission.
Is lavender picking toddler-friendly?
Roger's Gardens and Ojai are the gentlest starts. 123 Farm and Underwood PYO work if your toddler tolerates heat, admission gates, or evening hours—arrive early.
When is the best time to visit 123 Farm Lavender Festival?
Weekday evenings can be calmer than Saturday peak. Festival runs June 7–July 19 with lights after dark. Buy tickets online before you go.
When does Underwood Family Farms post lavender for pick-your-own?
Check Pick Your Own This Week and the PYO map—lavender typically appears in July when fields are in bloom.
How far is each lavender event from Los Angeles?
Rough drives from central LA (traffic varies): Roger's Gardens ~1 hr (OC), Ojai ~1.5 hr, Santa Barbara ~1.5–2 hr, 123 Farm Cherry Valley ~1.5–2 hr, Underwood Moorpark ~45–75 min (Valley).
