Each year the family visits The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch to enjoy the spectacular display of ranunculus fields that cascade down the 50 acres of hillside in Carlsbad, CA. This year we spent Easter weekend roaming through the fields and taking in the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
The flowers bloom on the Ranch from March through May. When the season ends the bulbs are harvested and sold all over the world.
The kids were excited to go station to station and fill out their stamp passports. This is a great way to introduce children to all the different areas of the ranch where they learn about the Ecke family and this region of Carlsbad with its history as a flower growing mecca.
The passport adventure brought us through the Artist Gardens, the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse, the historic poinsettia display (with over 20 varieties of the famous Ecke poinsettias), and Santa’s playground (playhouses that used to be in Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead have been relocated here).
One of the highlights was the Sweet Pea Maze. It’s a living maze made up of beautiful sweet pea plants. The kids got to safely get lost as they tried to navigate their way through the twists and turns.
As you can see, there are lots of things to do for little ones. There are antique tractor wagon rides (with audio commentary) that you can take to get a ride all around the property. The tour will pass you right by the famous 300’x170′ American flag made entirely out of flowers. It’s definitely a sight to see!
Another great activity for kids is the Carlsbad Mining Company, where children learn how early California miner’s used to sift for gold. They are even able to discover their own polished gemstones.
All sorts of events are held at the Flower Fields, from wine and dinner tours, concerts, art and craft shows, kid’s days, photography workshops, school and troop tours, and organic garden demonstrations by master gardeners. The Paul Ecke, Jr. Barn can accommodate up to 200 guests, which make it a great place to hold a wedding or gala.
We love visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields every year! It’s become a tradition in our family. It’s a great way to welcome spring….and the perfect spot to celebrate Mother’s Day (hint, hint to all the dads out there)! We hope that you enjoy this magical place as much as we do. Have fun!
5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-431-0352 info@theflowerfields.com
