First Ranunculus Blooms At The Flower Fields Ahead Of March Opening

CARLSBAD, CA — The first ranunculus at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch bloomed Thursday with the 2024 season just weeks away.

The Carlsbad ranch is slated to open March 1. Tickets and season passes for the 2024 season recently went on sale.

The ranch features 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunculus, a flower known for its large, double-petaled blooms that sit atop tall, straight stems.

This season's theme is "Spring into Color," which Fred Clarke, general manager of The Flower Fields, said serves as nature's announcement of the arrival of spring, but also the celebration of the working farm's cultivation of the colorful flowers.

A full slate of activities is planned for the upcoming season, including live music performances, workshops and wellness classes. Other attractions include the American Flag of Flowers, artist gardens and aviaries, tractor wagon rides, a sweet pea maze, poinsettia display, Carlsbad Mining Company, Santa's Playground and more.

"The color that The Flower Fields brings each spring extends far beyond our rows of rainbow ranunculus," Clarke said in a news release. "From the brightly painted wagons that bring visitors into the fields, to vendors serving eye-catching lemonade and ice-cream dipped in sprinkles, to the blueberry picking, Sea of Sunflowers and various gardens, color truly abounds at every turn."

The ranch is at 5704 Paseo Del Norte in Carlsbad. Single ticket admission costs $23 for adults, $21 for seniors and military, and $14 for children ages 3-10. Admission is free for children under 3. Season passes are $48 for adults, $44 for seniors, and $28 for children ages 3-10, with group tours also available.