Spring is in the air in Carlsbad — and about to be in full bloom.

North County’s springtime staple, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, will reopen for the 2023 season on Wednesday, March 1, running through Monday, May 15. Let’s frolic in the fields, shall we? 🌼

A close-up of color. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

🌷 My, how you’ve grown

The 55-acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus blooms blanketing the rolling hills have a deep-rooted, ~60-year history in Carlsbad. Over the years, the colorful attraction has become a spring destination and beautiful backdrop for photos.

In addition to self-guided strolls near the blooms, The Flower Fields has grown to feature additional activities like tractor wagon rides, artist gardens, bird aviaries, a Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse, a playground, a sweet pea maze, a demonstration garden, and a 5-acre field of sunflowers. 🌻

The site also hosts fun, bloom-themed events throughout the season, so keep an eye on this calendar. We spy dreamy picnics amongst the flowers, art and wellness workshops, yoga, and more.

The hills are alive. | Photo via Marcie Gonzalez and The Flower Fields

💐 Blossom basics

Ready for your annual trip? Seed you there.

The Flower Fields will be open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Timed-entry tickets cost $18 for adults and $7 for kids ages 3-10 (and include parking). They’re only available for purchase online —just arrive within 30 minutes of your time slot and stay as long as closing time.
Pro tips: Visit on a Monday, and get a free kids ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. If you’re planning multiple visits, you may want to spring for a $48 season pass.
While the first blooms have sprouted, the season’s peak is late March to early May, so plan your trip accordingly. The flowers are in bloom for approximately 6-8 weeks.
There are snack and drink stands at the Flower Fields, too, so you can make a whole day of it.

Say yello' to the Sea of Sunflowers. | Photo via @the_flower_fields

🌻 End of the season

The Flower Fields announced its last day for the 2023 season is scheduled to be Mother's Day — Sunday, May 14 — but it will continue to open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., until then.

Recently, something else has been blooming at this Carlsbad destination: The Sea of Sunflowers is now open. This currently, 1 acre is in bloom and lets visitors petal through rows of yellow flowers that can grow to be 12 ft tall. And if you can sea past these giant beauties, you'll also catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for the final week of operation which includes access to the Sea of Sunflowers.