Hello, my loves! Today I’m taking you on a little adventure to the ever gorgeous Carlsbad, CA Flower Fields.
I’ve been going to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad for years now and it’s honestly one of my favorite things to do in the spring time! Imagine this: you’re surrounded by a rainbow of fresh florals, a cool sea breeze and an abundance of sunshine. A summer hat, twirly dress and camera are non-negotiables for this dreamy day out. It really does look like you’ve stepped into some kind of floral fairytale. The Carlsbad Flower Fields are a very special place and every year, they draw many visitors from all over. However, as with any beautiful destination, there are some things you’ll want to know before you start planning your trip.
Read on for best tips for visiting the Flower Fields in Carlsbad!
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Tips for Visiting the Flower Fields in Carlsbad
Table of Contents
What are the Flower Fields of Carlsbad?
The Carlsbad Flower Fields grow many colorful ranunculus, sunflowers and few other things. They also have quite a bit to do. Of course, the main drawn are the photo opps. They have photo areas among the flowers and tons of photo locations scattered throughout the farm. There are different types of gardens to explore along with displays, greenhouses and a sweet pea maze. They also have a few delicious food options and the option to explore the farm on their open air tractor ride.
Where are the Flower Fields in California?
The Flower Fields are located in Carlsbad, CA (about an hour north of San Diego). The address is 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, Ca 92008. It’s definitely hard to miss though! You’ll see the rainbow colors a mile away haha!
When do Carlsbad Flower Fields open?
For 2024, they are open March 1st to May 12th! Each year, they usually open at the beginning March and end around mid-May (usually Mother’s Day weekend).
Carlsbad Flower Fields Hours
The Flower Fields in Carlsbad is usually open 9am-6pm daily.
When are the flower fields blooming in Carlsbad?
The best time to see the blooms is late March to early May! You an check their Bloom calendar online to see current flower conditions. These photos were taken the first weekend of May, for reference!
How much is the Flower Fields in Carlsbad?
The adult ticket is currently $23 per person. There is a service charge of $3.08 so the total ticket cost is $26.08. Seniors and Military are $21 plus a $2.81 service fee while children (ages 4-10) are $14 plus a $1.88 service fee.
How to buy tickets for Carlsbad Flower Field?
They’ve recently changed it to online booking only. You just choose a day and approximate time and you’re good to go!
Check Out Events and Activities Beforehand
The Flower Fields Carlsbad includes a ton of events and activities throughout the season. They have events like workshops, classes, picnics, wine tasting, and even meditation and yoga. Check out the schedule for more info! You can easily plan your trip around these, if preferred. Also, be prepared to wait in line whether it’s for food or drinks, to ride the tractor, or to take photos at one of the flower stations.
Arrive Early
If you take one piece of advice, make sure it’s this. With the rise of Instagram and social media, The Flower Fields in Carlsbad have become very popular among flower enthusiasts, photographers, influencers and families. It can become very busy, very quickly. There are people everywhere taking photos so if you’re planning to do the same, I recommend checking out the map beforehand on their website and making a plan as to where you’d like to photograph. When planning your trip, I also recommend checking out the activities and events schedule beforehand.
Flower Fields Carlsbad Parking
I recommend coming as early as you can. They open at 9am and have a lot of parking available but trust me when I say that it fills up really fast. In fact, if you’re able to carpool, that might be an even better option. Since I live four hours away, we’ve arrived around 10:30-11am in the past and the parking lots were packed both times. Also, there is no fee for parking.
Or better yet, if you can stay at a hotel in the area, that’s even better! Last year, we stayed at the Cassara Carlsbad, the property right behind the Flower Fields. We got there 30 minutes after opening and it was a breeze. I notice that it starts to get busy around 10am and only increases from there.
What to Wear to Carlsbad Flower Fields
I recommend wearing comfortable clothing. A flowy sundress is always a great option! If you are planning to take photos, make sure you’ve planned your outfit(s) appropriately. Pair it with a hat, light sweater and comfortable footwear.
Speaking of shoes – make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes as most of the ground is dirt and depending on where you want to go, it’s can be pretty spread out. Plus there is hardly any seating. I’ve seen a few ladies show up in heels and I don’t know how they do it. I highly recommend sneakers or at the very least, flats. You will want something that is comfortable to walk in for long periods of time. Keep in mind that you will be walking on dirt for the majority of the time (it is a farm, after all!) so white sneakers or shoes might be get dirty. I wouldn’t bring anything too fancy
Check out this post for my favorite girly clothing stores that carry stunning spring dresses!
Don’t Forget the Essentials
I’m a huge advocate of sun protection so I recommend a hat, sunglasses and SPF to help protect you from the sun. For some reason, the sun’s rays always seem stronger down there lol. As always be sure to check the weather before your tip. While it’s sunny most days, you can also expect cloudy or overcast days as well. Also keep in mind that you are near the beach. It’s typically pretty sunny but can get chilly at times, especially in the morning and late afternoon/evening. A lightweight sweater or cardigan is always great to have during this time, especially if you get cold easily like myself. 😉
Stay Hydrated
Like I said, it can get pretty warm, especially later in the season.The Flower Fields does offer select refreshments but the line can get pretty long at times. It’s a good idea to bring along some water to keep yourself hydrated when needed.
Bring Snacks
The Flower Fields does has food options like ice cream, pizza, kettle corn, dole whips, cotton candy, strawberry shakes, etc. However, I have food allergies and cannot eat anything they have on site. I always bring along a few snacks to keep my hunger at bay. All of the food vendors are open at certain times and days so be sure to check beforehand. It’s always a good idea to have a snack anyway so you don’t end up hangry 😉
Bring Your Camera
This might be obvious but you’ll definitely want to bring your camera or phone! Make sure your phone is fully charged or bring a portable charger if you plan to stay for the majority of the day. This will ensure that you don’t miss out on any special moments and trust me, there are TONS of photo opps! For professional or commercial photography, be sure to check out their website for rules in advance.
In regards to photography, I must say this – If you are an influencer (and I say this as an influencer myself), you’ll definitely want to take advantage of all the photo opps but please be courteous of the flowers and everyone else’s time and experience. Don’t go out into the fields to get a shot. There are plenty of platforms to do this. There are also lines at busy times during the day so please be considerate of others and have your poses/photos planned out ahead of time. Last time, I saw a few people taking photos for at least 15 minutes while others waited in line.
Have Fun Exploring
In my opinion, the Flower Fields in San Diego is best experienced when you don’t have a rigid schedule. Have fun, explore and enjoy the moment! There is a lot to see including the iconic ranunculus flower fields, various gardens, sweet pea maze, greenhouse, and displays. You can also book a tractor ride for an additional fee. Sunflower fields and blueberry picking may also be offered, if available.
Things to Do Around the Carlsbad Flower Fields
In the surrounding area around the flower fields, you can find shopping outlets, restaurants, museums, the beach, Legoland and more. We drove through the town of Carlsbad on the way home and it looked adorable. This is another area I would love to explore more of in the future. If you’re staying in the area or have some free time after your trip, check out the following recommendations –
- Carlsbad Premium Outlets (across the street)
- Carlsbad State Beach
- Legoland – it’s literally right behind the Flower Fields!
- The Museum of Making Music – a MUST for musicians and music lovers! I play several different instruments and had a blast.
- Mission San Juan Capistrano – This one actually reminds me a lot of the Carmel mission. If you haven’t read my Carmel by-the-sea Travel Guides, I highly recommend them. Read them here!
- San Juan Capistrano (30 minutes north)
- San Diego / Balboa Park (an hour south)
Hotels Near Flower Fields Carlsbad, CA
Here is the hotel near Flower Fields Carlsbad:
The Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Collection by Hilton- this is the hotel near Flower Fields Carlsbad (directly behind – pictured above and below). For the ultimate experience, this is the best place to stay, in my opinion! We stayed here last year and the location cannot be beat. There’s a pool that overlooks the flower fields (and the ocean in the distance) along with any other amenities you’d find at a hotel. They also offer a Flower Fields package with provided transportation to and from the Carlsbad Flower Fields. It’s also right across from Legoland and down the street from the Museum of Making Music, so this is a great overall option.
Check out this short video to see more of this beautiful hotel –
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A post shared by Elizabeth Hugen | Feminine Fashion & Girly Style (@lizzieinlace)
For More Hotels Near Flower Fields Carlsbad, CA – check out the booking options below!
Restaurants Near Flower Fields in Carlsbad
- Of course you have quick service options like McDonald’s, Panda Express, Blaze Pizza, In and Out and Chick-fil-A!
- There are also familiar places like Olive Garden, BJ’s, Islands, P.F. Changs, etc.
- Lots of options surrounding the Carlsbad Premium Outlets across the street.
- Ruby’s Diner is great for an old fashioned lunch (food is okay but decor is pretty fun!)
- For a sweet treat, check out Crumbl cookies (across the street).
- My absolute favorite place we’ve eaten has actually been Burger Lounge! The food is really good and they have plant-based options. I have a dairy allergy and it’s tough to eat out sometimes but they actually had quite a few things I could have. High recommend!
Carlsbad Vlog
If you’re ever in the LA, Orange County or San Diego area, you’ll definitely want to put these locations on your list. Get a first hand look at the Flower Fields Carlsbad, Mission San Juan Capistrano and more!
Are the Carlsbad Flower Fields worth it?
In my opinion, absolutely (especially if you are a first time visitor)! It’s really a sight to behold – like something out of a dream! Plus there is so much more to do around the area. You’ll have a lot of fun exploring! Highly recommend!
Have you been to the Carlsbad Flower Fields in California?
Let me know if you have any tips to add!
xo
