Carlsbad Flower Fields

 

Ranunculus everywhere!

 

When Tim and I lived in San Diego, we would marvel every springtime when the ranunculus bloomed at Carlsbad Ranch along the I-5. In those days, the only thing separating the fields from the freeway was the Pea Soup Andersen windmill. I swear I don't know how there wasn't a traffic jam every day from people just stopping to gawk at the flowers' beauty.

An outlet mall and car dealership now block the view. But if you look quickly, you can still catch a glimpse of the flowers as you zip north through Carlsbad. The owners sold half the land to developers after we left San Diego. However, the city has apparently promised to retain the remaining flower fields, which are open to the public from March 1 until early May every spring.

En route back home from San Diego, last week, I decided to stop and take photos of the ranunculus. Luckily I arrived at 9:30AM, because an hour later the parking lot was full of drivers trolling for a spot. There was a short ticket line when I got there: adults $14, seniors $13 and kids $7. For an extra $3 I could have ridden on an old tractor that takes passengers around the perimeter of the fields and drops them at the top. I opted to walk on my own.

The fields were nothing short of spectacular. Variegated flowers are planted at the foot of the hill, followed by wide swaths of single color-plants: yellow, white, pink, red, and orange. The effect is breath-taking. Selfie sticks were in abundance as people couldn't get enough of taking pictures of themselves in front of the fields.

I found a maze covered in sweetpea vines, away from the rest of the fields. I entered and soon got stuck. Yikes! Thank goodness two youngsters were running through, so I followed them out. I then made my way up the hill, so I could see the fields and ocean beyond. Again, the view was just glorious.

Unfortunately, everyone has to pass through an area filled with booths festooned in handmade geegaws, t-shirts, and jewelry before entering the fields. Plus everybody is forced to exit through an Armstrong garden supply store. Far too commercial and touristy.

Still, I was completely in heaven as I wandered on my own for an hour. 

If you love flowers, gardening, and/or color, you must take a trip to see the ranunculus of Carlsbad, if not this year then certainly next. . .

Looking up from the foot of the fields

 

Approaching the top

 

Pink ranunculus

 

Endless flowers

 

View from the top of the fields—Pea Soup Andersen

windmill in the distance and the ocean beyond

 

Orange ranunculus

 

 

Red ranunculus

 

Yellow ranunculus