Where are the Flower Fields located?

The breathtaking Flower Fields below are located in Carlsbad, California! They are 100 miles from Los Angeles off the 5 freeway and 1 mile inland from the ocean. Yes, that means there is an ocean view from the flower fields which is pretty amazing! If you’re flying into San Diego the Flower Fields are 30 miles north of the San Diego International Airport.

History of the Flower Fields

Escape into color into 50 acres of ranunculus fields! The Flower Fields are a result of 85 years of floral cultivation starting with ranunculus seeds from an early settler, Luther Gage. The ranunculus is a member of the buttercup flower and is native to Asia. The Flower Fields are a beautiful showcase of nature’s artistry and symbolizes the diligence of a couple pioneers.

Reasons to visit the Flower Fields

The Flower Fields are likely largest area of colorful blooms this year in southern California due to the dry winter. Even if it was a wet winter the fields are worth the trip for a spectacular site! If you need a day full of sunshine, ocean air, or spring vibes, be sure to head to Carlsbad this spring. I saw everyone there from families, couples, and influencers.

Spring break at the Flower Fields

Spring break events:

April 10th: Cannon Photography Workshop
April 28th: Graze at The Flower Fields
April 28th-29th & May 1st: NEW! Picnic Amongst the Flowers

Kid-approved attractions and treats:

Tractor Wagon Rides
The Artist Gardens & Bird Aviaries
Santa's Playground
Sweet Pea Maze
Butterfly Garden
Illusion Garden
Carlsbad Mining Company
Strawberry Shack of Carlsbad
Sweet Swirls Ice Cream
Kettle Kernels Popcorn
Pizza Trolley

The activities at the Flower Fields

There are many things to do at the Flower Fields. I enjoyed most of my time in the flower fields early in the day then walked around the garden area. When the afternoon warmed up I got fresh lemonade which was amazing. If you have kids they will love the maze, mining, play area, and food. For adults, there is the artist’s garden, tractor wagon ride, tea times, flower arranging, and more. Check out their activity calendar.

When is the best time to visit?

The flower season is about 6-8 weeks from mid-March to early May. I visited in mid-March in the early season. The featured photos on this post were taken at that time. The staff informed me that the flowers peak even more around mid-April. There’s a new sea of sunflowers patch that should look it’s best in mid-April. To avoid crowds visit Monday through Thursday, or Friday through Sunday before 12pm.

What you need to know

Hours: 9am-6pm, rain or shine.
Seasonality: The flower season is about 6-8 weeks from mid-March to early May. They said the flowers peak in mid-April.
Parking: Free.
Tickets: Purchase single day passes or a season pass for more flexibility.
Restrictions: Drones, limited accessibility, any photography equipment beyond cameras, phones, and tripods.