Being from Canada, spring means the snow is melting and plants actually start growing. Its weird for me to hear “Spring is here!” in California where it is beautiful year round. However, I have noticed warmer weather and flowers everywhere (from deserts to purple blankets covering the sides of I-5). Feeling in the spring mood, I decided to check out one of the most spring to-do places near San Diego; The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. 

Getting There

The Flower Fields are a short 30 mile drive north of San Diego, just off the I-5. To my surprise, it is located ACROSS THE STREET from the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. I’ve been to the outlets a couple of times, and never realized this. With the fields in full bloom, the mall has great views while shopping. You will have a great day set up if you end up seeing both in an afternoon.

Tickets

The price of admission is $14, and it gives access to the fields and sweet pea maze. However, for an additional $5 you can also buy the wagon ride. I found it to be worth it. You might as well do everything while you are there. The wagon ride goes around the fields and is hop-on hop-off style with a tractor pulled wagon. It is not a long walk to the edge of the fields if you decide to not get the wagon ride. But if you don’t feel like walking up the hill or just want to sit and go around for the view, it is worth doing. You buy tickets online here.

The Fields

The Flower Fields are filled with giant ranunculus, also known as buttercups. There are sections growing at different times, meaning there will be large blooms anytime you go between their growing season. They are planted in rows by colors, ranging from white to yellow. My favorite section was towards the bottom of the hill where multicolored flowers grew.

Unfortunately you cannot walk within the rows. (I got yelled at soon as I made it halfway down a row not knowing). They have designated areas punched into the fields with white benches to get some pictures.

Sweet Pea Maze

As well as the fields, they had a sweet pea maze. The smell was amazing as you wandered through. (And not as claustrophobic as a corn maze). There were no dead ends which was nice, so you just kept walking and eventually got out. 

Grounds

The grounds were nice, also featuring more gardens with different flower varieties and photo-ops. There were food options, but unless you want ice cream or lemonade, the outlet mall across the street has a larger variety.

There is free wifi, which was a good bonus since my roaming plan with Freedom mobile is crazy unreliable.

Another thing to keep it mind is that it can get quite windy there, especially in the afternoon. I started the day with my hair out, but the wind and the salty ocean air knotted my fine hair quite a bit. (I left with my hair in a ponytail.) It is also very dusty, so wear closed shoes!

The Flower Fields are a definite must when you have an afternoon to kill and want to see something pretty.