Iconic Carlsbad Flower Fields Open For 2017 Season

CARLSBAD, CA – Although the official first day of spring isn't until March 20, it's unofficially the start of springtime in San Diego County. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are now open.

Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of North County into one of the most beautiful displays of blooming flowers for decades. The nearly 50 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields in Carlsbad are in bloom for six to eight weeks each year, bringing the famous fields back to life.

This year, The Flower Fields will be open to the public March 1 through Mother’s Day on May 14.

In addition to strolling through the fields, visitors can enjoy a variety of other family-friendly activities at the site, including an open-air wagon ride through The Flower Fields on an antique tractor. The ride includes audio commentary of the history of the famous fields.

Among other activities, families can mine for gemstones, see a historic poinsettia display, watch gardening demos and navigate through a sweet pea blossoms maze. The Flower Fields, which feature a nursery and gift shop, will also host various special events weekly, including arts and crafts shows, live musical performances, Kids' Day on April 2, Easter Sunday Service on April 16 and the annual Mother's Day Celebration on May 14.

The Flower Fields have bloomed in North County for more than 85 years, when Luther Gage, an early settler, brought Ranunculus seeds to the area and planted them in his fields next to Frank Frazee’s small vegetable farm in South Oceanside.

Today, this annual burst of color has become one of nature’s ways of announcing the arrival of spring in Southern California. The stunning fields attract more than 160,000 visitors every season.

Located at 5704 Paseo Del Norte in Carlsbad, The Flower Fields are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Daily tickets are $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for children ages 3 to 10. Admission is free for children age two and under. Season passes are also available, ranging in price from $16 to $30.

Image by Shirley Binn via flickr.com, used under Creative Commons