SoCal Mamas, if you have never been to the Carlsbad Ranch in the spring, you are really missing out on one of the most beautiful sights in the state!

The trip was a total surprise for me and I wanted to share our family adventure.

It all started one cozy afternoon last week while I was going through old family photo albums with my children.

We were having a good laugh at my husband’s baby pictures when my daughter’s eyes lit up at the sight of a beautiful flower field in the background. “Umma, where is that?” she asked, pointing excitedly at the colorful blooms.

Surprisingly, I remembered seeing a similar field in my grandma’s photos! Intrigued by this connection across generations, I decided to investigate further. That’s when I uncovered the timeless charm of the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

Living nearby, I was astonished that I had never visited or even heard of this famous spot. Determined to experience its magic firsthand, I checked the bloom schedule and quickly organized a delightful day trip for our family this past weekend.

Here’s everything you need to know to embark on your own journey to witness these enchanting flowers!

Location

In case you haven’t heard of it, the ranch is located in the beautiful rolling hill country of northern San Diego County. It has been there since the 1920’s and was started when a local horticulturist Mr. Gage began to plant a flower called ranunculus. 

Today, the fields of this flower (which bloom for only about two months out of the year from March to early May) come in a whole rainbow of colors, from reds and oranges to purple and white. My daughter and son both were delighted as we walked through these fields of flowers and the smell in the air was incredible!

Other Activities

Even though the flowers themselves are worth the visit, the ranch has a bunch of other family-friendly activities.  My son loved the tractor wagon ride and my daughter was really fascinated with the birds in the aviary. 

For me, though, the best part of the day was the sweet pea maze – it was probably the best maze I have ever been in! Lily and I spent a long time wandering through it. 

Planning Tips

A few things to help you plan your trip:

• You must buy tickets in advance through website (The Flower Fields | Carlsbad, CA) (but they’re unlikely to sell out so you don’t have to plan ahead too much unless you want golden hour photos)!

• If you want to keep track of exactly when the flowers will bloom, head to the website and click on the “Bloom Status” button in the upper right-hand corner.

• While the ranch is very family-friendly, it is not pet friendly so there are no dogs allowed (for more info — check out their FAQ here). 
• There were some snacks and drinks available at the ranch itself, and my kids really loved the kettlekorn and the lemonade. 

If you are looking for an AWESOME Mother’s Day outing or just a great day trip that everyone in the family will enjoy, you definitely want to check this out!