Exploring California: 5 Good Reasons to Visit The Flower Fields in Carlsbad + 5 Tips to Make Your Trip Even More Worthwhile

"I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want." ~ Andy Warhol

I am such a softie when it comes to flowers — not much of the cut ones you have to put in vases but more of the the living and growing kinds that can be found in parks and gardens, on the sidewalks, along hiking trails, and even on sandy beaches! 

These past three years since moving to California, I’d often “drag” members of my family during springtime to places near and far where we can fully appreciate nature and admire beautiful flowers while they are still in bloom. 

Last month, I came across a post on Instagram about The Flower Fields in Carlsbad and we finally made it there this past weekend. Here’s sharing 5 good reasons why you should also consider visiting:

1. Seeing the flowers up close is NOT the same as seeing them in photos. Sure, I could have simply scrolled through hundreds of IG posts by other people and save us two hours of travel but the experience wouldn’t be as exciting or as delightful as actually being there.

2. Strolling beside acres of ranunculus flowers is an unforgettable experience. I’ve had my share of being in many parks and gardens before where flowers grow abundantly but this place is on a much higher level of WOW! Plus, the fresh air, cool breeze, and sunshine will definitely perk you up! 

3. There are official areas strategically placed all over the fields for photo shoots. You WILL have great pictures! You just have to line up and wait for your turn. In general, most of our fellow visitors were very respectful of others and the rules of the place. It was just disappointing to see a few groups who were stepping over the green tapes, purposely placed there to protect the flowers, just to get their photos taken nearer the middle of the fields. 

4. Besides the flower fields, there are a lot of pretty spots with other flower varieties where you can take additional awesome photos. There are gazebos, arches, a giant chair, a sweet pea maze, and more.  

5. You can take a wagon tour if you don’t want to walk far. There’s 50 acres to cover after all!

So, have I convinced you to pack your bags yet? If yes, here are 5 tips that may help as you plan your own trip to The Flower Fields.

1. Wear comfortable shoes and pack a jacket in case you get cold. The place is HUGE so expect to be walking more than 10,000 steps if you plan on covering a large area of the fields. We spent around two hours there and still weren’t able to see everything there was to see. As much as we’d like to explore some more, pushing a wheelchair on upward sloping ground can be quite challenging.

 

2. Keep your mask on when not taking photos and please be mindful of the place’s regulations. If you are not one of the farm workers who are authorized to step over the green tapes, DON’T be like the selfish morons who think they’re special enough to break the rules. 

3. Arrive early if you’re visiting on a weekend. I bought us tickets for 2:00PM and we arrived about 10 minutes early. Unfortunately, it took us quite a while to find a place (even the handicapped spots were full) at the overcrowded parking lot.

4. Bring a good camera or a mobile phone that takes sharp pictures. And make sure to charge your batteries beforehand! You wouldn’t want to miss capturing many nice shots what with all the gorgeous backgrounds you’ll find all over the place. 

5. Consider being at Carlsbad for more than a day. The city has a lot to offer and it’s just a 30-minute drive away from San Diego. By staying for two nights, we got to visit Balboa Park and the South Carlsbad State Beach but unfortunately didn’t have enough time to check out the U-pick strawberry farm nearby nor go to the Oceanside Pier as originally planned. Still, we had a grand time and have more reasons to come back another time! :)