The Flower Fields
Tourist attraction · Carlsbad ·
Seasonal spectacle of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus blooms with activities
Seasonal spectacle of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus blooms with activities
"Held over the weekend on April 12–13, this first-ever San Diego cake potluck in a ranunculus field drew more than a combined 310 attendees and featured a ticketed ($65) sold-out format with a portion of proceeds benefiting Los Angeles fire relief organizations. Founder Elisa Sunga said, “Cakes and flowers. It’s such an organic, natural thing,” and launched the potluck after a viral meet-up in San Francisco; the event has since gone on tour to cities like New York and San Francisco, with London next. Doors opened by 9 a.m.; attendees received name tags for socializing, posed against backdrops of pink, yellow, and orange ranunculi in a Cotton Incorporated photo area outfitted with Bohemian chairs and (100 percent) cotton tablecloths, and played Cotton trivia to win embroidered merch while bakers set up labeled tables with quirky cake names like “Cakechella” and “Tasting San Diego.” Local pastry chef Arely Chavez of Michi Michi contributed a green-and-yellow airbrushed strawberry jam citrus olive oil cake with sorrel buttercream, and said, “I feel like a cake just brings joy.” Out-of-towners included Heather LeBlanc, who flew from Connecticut with two cakes and said her favorite part is meeting “like-minded people that enjoy cake and hanging out and just talking.” San Diego native Christina Acosta returned with a buttercream pound cake flavored with vanilla, hibiscus, and mezcal and said, “It is so therapeutic, it smells nice, and it brings out a warm vibe.” With almost 200 cakes on offer and only five minutes on the clock per group, guests rushed through rounds to collect slices in logo-stamped pizza boxes and picnic on the lawn while live music played; the spread included a Severance-themed almond cream cake dubbed “Devour Gateau,” a carrot cake with orange jelly beans spilling from its center, a tri-level peanut butter and jelly cake, a mango sticky rice cake, a black cocoa cake with matcha buttercream, an Earl Grey bundt cake, and a Liliko’i crunch yellow cake with pineapple preserves and passion fruit. The gathering got messy (crumbs, frosting, and sticky chocolate ganache) and had a playful competitive edge as expert picnickers returned for seconds using Tupperware; sponsors previewed an upcoming collaboration between Cotton Incorporated and Abbode, attendees collected free Abbode caps, and Sunga has partnered with Chronicle Books to publish a cookbook about hosting similar cake picnics, due next spring." - Roxana Becerril
"A seasonal spectacle that transforms 55 acres into sweeping displays of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus each spring, the attraction pairs colorful blooms with wagon rides, picnic areas and relaxation spots and hosts ancillary programming such as teatime in the gardens, kids’ educational offerings, outdoor concerts, yoga classes, and evening dinners in the gardens." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"In spring, visiting the 50-acre Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch feels like stepping into a rainbow — for more than 60 years the hills of Northern San Diego County have put on this annual show, and the best display comes from the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that blanket the fields from early March through early May (this year the season starts on Mar. 1, 2022, with peak bloom typically in April). I can stroll designated paths for up-close views and photos, relax on plentiful benches and picnic tables, and enjoy a calendar of activities — teatime in the gardens, educational programs for kids, outdoor concerts, yoga classes, dinners aux jardins, and more — all within picture-perfect fields overlooking the Carlsbad coastline; the site is fairly accessible for all travelers." - Jessica Poitevien Jessica Poitevien Jessica Poitevien is an international storyteller and regular contributor to Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"On a hillside overlooking the Pacific, the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California, bloom into life each March with a vibrant show of color. Along with nearby Encinitas, Carlsbad has long been a major center for the commercial flower industry, with the Flower Fields just a small part. The ranunculus planted on the 50 acres of the Flower Fields are grown for their bulbs, but have become a seasonal destination in their own right. Visitors are welcome to walk amongst the surreal spectacle of seemingly endless blooms, or jump aboard an antique tractor ride. Either way is like plunging into a rainbow." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
"Each spring (March–May) a 55-acre hillside is blanketed by more than 70 million ranunculus blooms arranged in synchronized rows of red, yellow, orange, pink, and white that draw over 300,000 visitors; the season also includes a sunflower patch, orchid and poinsettia displays, a Sweet Pea Maze, a demonstration garden, and a U-Pick blueberries area. The site hosts special activities such as teatime in the gardens, outdoor concerts, and yoga classes, and tickets are roughly $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and military, and $11 for children ages 3–10." - Bailey Berg