The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is set to unveil its breathtaking spring spectacle on March 1, transforming 55 acres of Southern California coastline into a vibrant tapestry of ranunculus blooms.
This beloved springtime tradition, running daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Mother's Day (May 11), has been delighting visitors since the 1960s. The star attractions are the frilly ranunculus flowers, also known as Persian buttercups, which typically showcase their splendor for six to eight weeks.
New this year is the Butterfly Encounter area, offering visitors an enchanting experience for an additional $5 per person. Guests can also enjoy scenic tractor wagon rides around the flowering fields for $8 (adults) and $4 (children 3-10), with convenient hop-on-hop-off access.
The ranch features numerous attractions beyond its famous blooms. Children will delight in the sweet pea maze and a whimsical playground featuring giant mushrooms from the former Santa's Lake Arrowhead Santa's Village. Art enthusiasts can admire Alex Heveri's glass and steel sculptures depicting birds and insects throughout the grounds.
Other highlights include a massive American flag created from red, white, and blue petunias spanning 300 by 170 feet, a 5-acre sunflower field, and greenhouse displays showcasing poinsettias and Cymbidium orchids.
Admission requires advance online booking, with adult tickets priced at $22, military and seniors (60+) at $20, and children (3-10) at $12. The ranch also offers food vendors serving tacos, pizza, ice cream, and other refreshments, plus an Armstrong Garden Center shop for visitors wanting to take home their own ranunculus.
These remarkable flowers, which have graced northern San Diego County's coast for over 90 years, originated in Turkey. Local growers, including pioneer Edwin Frazee, have developed 13 distinct color varieties, creating the mesmerizing rainbow effect that draws visitors from across the region.