Spring in California is a beautiful time of year. There are so many amazing flowers in CA and one of the best to see is The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. The Flower Fields Carlsbad has over 50 acres of colorful ranunculus flowers. This is a seasonal event and if you’re planning to visit please keep reading.
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Updated: 2/22/23
Visiting The Flower Fields in Carlsbad
Below are some quick facts to know before planning your trip to The Flower Fields.
What You Need to Know About The Flower Fields
When: It’s open from March 1 – May 14, 2022, daily from 9 am – 6 pm
Ticket information: Tickets are $23 for adults, $21 for seniors 60+, and $12 for children 3-10 years. Tractor wagon rides are $8 for adults and $4 for children 3-10 years.
You must book in advance and tickets are only sold online, NOT at the door. Weekends will likely sell out quickly so book in advance or opt for a weekday.
What is There to Do at The Flower Fields
The Flower Fields in Carlsbad is more than just the fields of ranunculus flowers. There are other flowers on display and tons of fun photo ops. There is a sweet pea maze, wagon rides, and more! Check out the event calendar for special happenings throughout the season. From yoga to photography workshops, tea in the garden, and more, there is so much to do. They also offer u-pick blueberries BUT you’ll want to make sure it’s available before you go.
You can also purchase cut flowers, potted flowers, and more. There’s an Armstrong Garden Center on-site.
When is the Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is on a weekday if possible as there will be fewer people. Weekends sell out quickly so if you can opt for a weekday morning you’ll definitely beat the crowds. April is also a great month to view the flowers as this is the “peak” time. However, this can change due to weather conditions, etc.
What to Wear
The Flower Fields are beautiful and make for great photos so dress how you would for a spring picnic but keep it comfortable. Layers are always good. You’re not far from the beach so while it can be sunny it can also be a bit chilly. You’ll want to check the weather before heading out.
You will be doing a lot of walking even if you don’t do ride the tractor wagon around the fields. Definitely wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in and keep in mind you’ll be walking on hillside dirt pathways.
Hats are also a good accessory to keep you protected from the sun. Plus it totally completes your spring look!
What to Bring
Do bring a bottle of water for each person. You will be doing a lot of walking and be in the sun. You’ll definitely want to keep yourself hydrated. If you’re hungry, there is pizza, tacos, snacks, and more. There are also plenty of restaurants in the area.
How to Get the Best Photos at The Flower Fields
There are plenty of photo ops at The Flower Fields. Do keep in mind that the rows will be roped off and you CAN’T walk between them. However, there are areas that are open specially for photos.
Opt for the earliest time (9 am) or the last slot of the day (4:30 pm) for the best lighting. In years prior I visited in the middle of the day and while you can still take beautiful photos the sun is harsh and you can avoid shadows by going earlier or later.
There are benches you can sit on but if you stand there and have your photographer take photos from outside the photo area at about a 45-degree angle you’ll get the illusion you’re walking through the fields.
Shoot from low angles to avoid people in your photos and for a fun perspective. This also gives the illusion that you’re walking through the fields. All of the photos that include me were taken in the designated photo spots with the exception of the photos where I’m standing in front of the rows of flowers.
Go to the different photo ops to get a variety of colors. Since I was wearing white I popped out against all the colors except for the white ranunculus flowers. Lighter colors go well with bright flowers.
Have an incredible time at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad!
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