The Unexpected Lavender Getaway Just Outside LA
- Kasey Cahen
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
The best kind of summer day doesn’t ask for much. Just a bit of sunshine, some good company, and a place that feels like a hidden gem. Just two hours east of LA, nestled within the historic Highland Springs Ranch and Inn, lies 123 Farm, a destination that offers a breath of fresh, lavender-scented air and an elevated seasonal experience worthy of every weekend itinerary. This isn’t just a farm visit. It’s a luxury escape rooted in history, sustainability, and sensory delight.
Each year from May through July, 123 Farm hosts its signature Lavender Festival, transforming over 20 acres into a lavender lover’s dream. Think Provencal charm meets California cool. As you stroll the vibrant fields during peak bloom in late June, the lavender hums with bees, music, and the laughter of families and friends basking in the golden hour glow. This is LA Living at its finest, a curated celebration of nature, wellness, and craftsmanship.
Originally established in 1884, the Highland Springs Ranch and Inn once welcomed guests like Albert Einstein and Ernest Hemingway. Today, the land is home to the largest organic lavender farm in Southern California and a regenerative farming initiative that honors its legacy. Every lavender sprig is grown with purpose. Every sourdough loaf is baked with ancient grains and integrity. Every cocktail at the Lavender Bar is crafted with farm-grown ingredients and summer sophistication.
Beyond the fields, the experience is rich with discovery. Walk the olive groves and stop for a vintage-style photo op on a plush sofa beneath century-old trees. Join a lavender distillation demo and learn how 123 Farm transforms blossoms into essential oils used in their signature beauty products. Take a historic walking tour and discover that the same grounds where Einstein once strolled are now alive with flower markets, artisans, and pop-up tastings.
Food and drink are front and center here, and not in your average farmstand way. Savor wood-fired sourdough pizza laced with figs and lavender. Indulge in a lavender margarita or whiskey sour under twinkling lights. Don’t miss the charming Casa de la Tapas in the Spanish courtyard, where small plates and Old-World wines are served with flair and farm-to-table freshness. When you think you’ve seen it all, grab a lavender s’mores kit and cozy up beside a fire pit for a sweet finale under the stars.
The experience doesn’t end with food and flowers. Guests can take tractor-pulled wagon tours past the 1,000-year-old oak tree, explore curated vendors selling handmade wares, or attend hands-on workshops that blend art with nature, such as crafting lavender crowns or olive oil bath bombs.
And for those who like their summer with a splash of wine, the Black Bench Wine Bar pours organic wines grown on-site, complete with weekend vineyard tours and tastings. The entire farm is a celebration of sustainable luxury, where regenerative agriculture meets curated leisure.
123 Farm isn’t just a destination. It’s a mindset. It’s proof that you don’t have to hop on a plane to feel transported. This is how LA does summer escape: stylish, sensory, and soul-nourishing. With every blooming field and carefully baked loaf, 123 Farm invites you to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures, all wrapped in lavender and sunlight. Plan your day trip today 123 Farm.
By IG @kaseycahen
