Friday, March 25, 2011

Carlsbad: Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch – Blooming Now


Photo: Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

One of the best indicators of spring is the burst of color splashed across the rolling hillside at the spectacular Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Located halfway between Orange County and San Diego, this popular site attracts thousands of visitors eager to see Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers during blooming season, which runs from early March through early May. Brilliant ribbons of orange, yellow, magenta, purple and white cover nearly 50 acres of the working flower farm – the only commercial ranunculus grower in the world that allows the public to walk the fields and experience the flowers up-close. Very few of the flowers here are actually sold – about 1 –2%. The flowers are primarily grown to harvest the ranunculus bulbs. Approximately 6-8 million bulbs are harvested each year and sold to nurseries and garden centers across the country.

 Colorful blooms at the Flower Fields

Visitors can wander through the fields at their leisure or take a tractor wagon ride for a birds eye view of the brilliant display of flowers and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Benches, picnic tables and chairs offer spots to rest and dine - food and vending machines are on the premises. Other highlights at the Flower Fields include a 1,500 square foot greenhouse filled with rare and unusual varieties of poinsettias, a sweet pea maze, a 1-acre Orchid showcase, and a special nursery, garden and gift shop by Armstrong Garden Centers. Special events throughout the season encourage visitor participation and include photography workshops, arts and crafts fairs, musical entertainment and more.

To reach the Flower Fields, take I-5 and exit at Palomar Airport Road. Head east on Palomar Airport Road, then turn left on Paseo Del Norte. Make an immediate right into the parking lot.

5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: 760-431-0352
Hours: Open daily, 9am – 6pm (Season runs through May 8)
Admission: $10 Adults, $9 Seniors 60+, $5 Children 3-10, children 2 and under are free
Wagon Rides: $5 for Adults, $3 for Children 3-10
Parking: Free

1 comment:

  1. That would be such a great place to go! I'm sorry I live on the other side of our great country.

    ReplyDelete