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Tips for Visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields

Spring is in the Air!  For many of us here in San Diego where the four seasons aren’t as noticeable, there’s one place that indicates Spring is here – The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch or popularly known as the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Here is a guide and some tips for visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields.  Updated for 2024 Season.

Carlsbad Flower fields sign

Getting Here and Ranunculus

This 50-acre hillside is transformed into a stunning rainbow of flowers from March to May.  Situated on an enviable location overlooking the Pacific Ocean and just down the street from Legoland California, it has become a major tourist attraction for many years. We are lucky enough to live just a few miles from here.

Carlsbad Flower Fields

Giant Tecolote Ranunculus fill the hillside with vibrant blooms.  What is a ranunculus? I actually hadn’t heard of the flower until we first visited many years ago. These blossoms are members of the buttercup family and native to Asia Minor.

Carlsbad flower fields Giant tecolote ranunculus

The variety grown here are the finest “strains” with single and double blooms developed and grown over many years by the father of the Flower Fields, the late Edwin Frazee, a San Diego farmer.

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad ranch

The ranunculus comes in a variety of 13 colors including ones called picotee(mixture), cafe, salmon, flame, and merlot. The word Tecolote comes from the owls that used to nest in the original grower’s land. The flowers complete their life cycle here by dying and producing seeds for replanting in the same fields for the following year.

Carlsbad flower fields giant tecolote ranunculus

The Flower Fields

Seeing these fields every time I visit, even after all these years, still amazes me with its extraordinary display of color. My daughter and I are flower lovers so we like coming here.

As for my husband and son, they use allergies as an excuse (among other things) not to come with us. It’s also a joy seeing all these colors from the freeway.

flower fields at carlsbad ranch

It’s not only about the ranunculus here though. Do not miss the various gardens and exhibits on display here.

One of my favorites is the Rose Walk of Fame and All America Rose Selections Test Garden. Their roses have some of the most vivid colors with names like Diva, Vogue and Fashion.

Carlsbad flower fields roses

The walkways meander through sections of roses and gladiolus complete with benches to enjoy them all. There’s even a gazebo flanked with goddess looking statues.

Carlsbad flower fields gladiolus

A local artist designed The Artist Garden to showcase the flower beds, vine-covered trellises and arches, and a small reflecting pool, to evoke a feeling of serenity and inspiration.

carlsbad Flower fields Artist Garden

Poinsettias are the world’s best selling potted plant.  The flower fields’ land is owned by one of the premiere growers of poinsettias nearby so the exhibit is always impressive.  Who knew there were over 20 varieties of poinsettias with names like Ice Punch, Monet, Glory, Flaming Sphere or Polar Bear ?

Carlsbad flower fields ecke poinsettias

Orchids are my favorite flowers. So, we always stop at the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse to smell and admire the blooms.  It almost feels like a botanical garden in here.

carlsbad flower fields orchids

Carslad flower fields picture pavilion

A popular area was the Picture Pavilion.  A flowing fountain served as a centerpiece bordered by a circular wall of flowers perfect for posing.

Carlsbad Flower Fields with the kids

There are a few activities to entertain the kids whose parents dragged them here to look at pretty flowers (mine included). Santa’s Village Playground is a collection of colorful and whimsical playhouses and huge mushrooms in a closed off section for kids ages 2-12 with a playground in the middle. This is also a popular place for field trips for local children. 

Carlsbad flower fields Santa's village

A few open-air wagons pulled by antique tractors are available for everyone to ride around the fields. It covers a whole lot more ground than walking and gives an overview, tour and history of the fields.

I would only recommend it for first time visitors or for those with kids or with mobility issues.  Otherwise, walking through the pathways is a great way to see the flowers up close.

Carlsbad flower fields tractor

A mini maze with sweet pea blossoms as walls was also a wonderful place for kids to run around and find their way out.  It smelled heavenly in here.  By the way, this was not as easy as it looks.

Carlsbad flower fields sweet pea maze

There is also a Master Gardeners demonstration area with edible and ornamental plants. It’s a great way to learn more about gardening and plants. I also love the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse that has a showcase of cymbidium orchids.

All the bursts of color can instantly lift one’s spirit even on some cloudy days (a rarity in San Diego).  Coming here is a feast for the senses and truly lives up to its slogan of fields of wonder and color. There is a new field of sunflowers among the ranunculus fields this year. 

Carlsbad Flower Fields

Tips for Visiting Carlsbad Flower Fields 

  • It’s usually open from early March to May. Check the Flower Fields website for the hours, events and updated prices.
  • Free parking and picnic area

IMPORTANT FOR THE 2024 SEASON

  • Season will be March 1, 2024 – May 11, 2024 • Open 7 Days a week • 9 am – 6 pm
  • ADMISSION & TICKETING • ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE prior to your visit with an assigned date and arrival time window. Arrive during your designated time with digital or printed copy of your ticket. There is no walk-up entry or on-site sales. 
  • No cash will be accepted. Credit cards can be used for food & drink vendors, Antique Tractor Rides and U-Pick blueberry (if open).
  • Check the activities calendar for special events from yoga to sunset wine. 
  • Food and drinks are available for purchase with vendors.
Carlsbad Flower Fields hill

*Have you visited the Carlsbad Flower Fields or heard of ranunculus? 

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55 thoughts on “Tips for Visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields”

  1. Okay, okay- twist my arm and get me to drive south to Carlsbad and see the beautiful flowers!! I know what I’m doing this weekend- dragging Bob to the flower field! So lovely and before we can stop by my favorite brunch place in Oceanside- Beach Break Cafe- have you been?! it’s delicious!

    1. Have a great time this weekend over here. I hope you get better weather than we did. I haven’t been to the Beach Break Cafe but will need to check it out soon for brunch.

    1. I’m glad we made it too. I was a bit hesitant because it was so gloomy but I just needed to see that little spark of color to know it was worth the trip.

  2. WOW!
    What a beautiful place, Mary. I can see why you and your daughter like going there — it just puts a smile on my face. I’d never heard about the ranunculus but I love the variety of colors. I also didn’t know there were different varieties of poinsettias until a few years ago when I noticed the white and varigated ones. They’re all beautiful, but for me nothing beats the bright red one. Beautiful post, Mary. I wonder if that’s what Mr. F had envisioned when he started it. Stunning. Oh, and I love, love, love orchids!

  3. Those fields of ranunculus are gorgeous! I can see why you go back each year – it’s all so beautiful and spring-like. The photo of your daughter in front of the flowers is lovely as well – she looks so sweet! It’s nice that she enjoys visiting the flower fields with you – I’m hoping mine will be as happy when I take them to the Canadian Tulip Festival next month.

    1. Thanks Lisa! She loves posing and dressing for the occasion. I hope you and the girls will have a wonderful time at the Tulip Festival and looking forward to the pictures.

  4. What a fantastic selection of flower shots. I will time a visit one year to coincide with a visit there. Years ago I had a flower shop and loved buying & selling ranunculus plants. You can’t beat them for colour.
    I can relate to your visit without your husband/son. My husband calls a visit to a nursery on line with a root canal.

    1. Thanks Leigh! That must have been so fun to own a flower shop and a great tidbit of info to know about you. Yes, too funny about the husbands. My son liked it here but I think he got brainwashed =)

  5. I didn’t know about these flower fields. Thanks for the introduction. Ranunculas are my absolutely favorite flower with their endless variety of colors, too, so that’s even more motivation to go visit.
    Once their were commercial flower fields like this on the south side of Phoenix, Arizona, near South Mountain, but the farmer’s fields are now subdivisions and chain restaurants. So sad to lose such beauty.

  6. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    Simply stunning! Flowers just seem to make me feel happy. I love Ranunculus and enjoyed all your beautiful photos of those.

  7. Beautiful shots. You’ve introduced me to a new place — Carlsbad flower fields. I once took a tour through flower fields and greenhouses in Half Moon Bay, California. Really enjoyed it, but I don’t think it can really compare to Carlsbad!

  8. The colors are STUNNING- I would drove to see this place in person and I would be right there with your daughter in the Fairy Garden! :))

    Thanks for linking cup! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  9. What a gorgeous place! I especially like the pictures of the field where the flowers of all different colors are mixed side by side. Beautiful!

  10. Carlsbad…hmmmm. To me that means I can either go see all these flowers, or spend my afternoon at the outlet mall. The flower garden might even win that battle. I might try your husband’s excuse though. Can I claim to be allergic to outlet malls?

    1. I think my husband will trade the outlet for the flower fields anytime that or he’ll drop us off and sleep in the car. I’m sure your wife will understand being allergic to the outlet as long as you let her spend a lot of time here =)

    1. Ryan, you will be in your wife’s good graces for a long time by taking her here and then spending a few more hours at the outlet mall next door.

    1. Thanks Natasha! The fairy garden, though quite small, was adorable and very popular among little girls. My daughter wanted to have one in our backyard.

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