The Flower Fields are one of Carlsbad’s top tourist attractions, and one of the most anticipated spring activities in San Diego. With 55 acres of ranunculus as far as the eyes can see, it’s a beautiful experience you won’t want to miss. The Flower Fields have grown a lot over the years, now offering new exhibits, attractions, and activities for all ages to enjoy. I’ve visited multiple times every year since I was a little kid, and it’s one of my family’s favorite traditions. I’ve compiled all of my advice, tips, and tricks for making the most of your visit - keep reading for everything you should know about visiting The Flower Fields.

best carlsbad flower fields tips

best time to visit the carlsbad flower fields

The Flower Fields are open every spring, typically mid-March through Mother’s Day. You can check the Flower Fields website for bloom status, as it’s obviously weather-contingent. I’ve been going for years, and here’s my advice:

Visit on a weekday to avoid crowds; Friday - Sunday are the busiest days.
- Discount tickets are available on Monday, so you’ll save money as well as beat the crowds.
- There are also children/ senior specials on Tuesday/ Thursdays (respectively).
If you plan to visit on a weekend, go earlier in the day to avoid crowds.
Check the weather! Carlsbad is a coastal town, and we experience May grey and intermittent cloudiness in the spring.
- For the ‘best’ photos, partly cloudy days are best, since the clouds diffuse some of the direct light.
- The Flower Fields close at 6, so it’s unlikely you’ll get golden hour photos as a patron; you may be able to access it if you book professional photos through The Flower Fields website.
The earlier in the day you go, the less crowded it will be. I usually purchase my tickets for 10 or 10:30am.
As far as time of month, they tend the fields daily, so things won’t be randomly dead or sparse when you visit, even if you go late in the season. This year, they extended the season an extra week because the fields still looked great.
- I like to go mid-season; it’s typically sunnier, and all of the early birds and influencers have already been, so it’s easier to be casual and get your photos without feeling rushed, if that makes sense.
My most recent visit was on Thursday, May 1 at 10:30am. There were other people there, but I would not consider it crowded at all. Everyone was courteous, helped each other take photos, and the fields were in full bloom.

what to know about the carlsbad flower fields

tickets

Tickets must be purchased online and prior to arrival - they no longer have ticket booths or an option to buy in-person. The online checkout process is pretty simple and straightforward, but contrary to what you might be used to with online ticketing, you don’t add these to your Apple Wallet. It’s just a PDF that gets scanned.

When you go to purchase your tickets, they’re sold in 30-minute increments - it just helps facilitate crowds. You don’t have to be exact with this, but it’s requested that you arrive within 30 minutes of the time slot you select. Once you arrive, there’s no time limit and you can stay until they close.

Children under 3 are free; kids aged 3-10 are eligible for a discounted children’s ticket. There are also senior/ military discounts available, as well as a Monday promotion that allows for 1 free child’s entry with the purchase of an adult or senior/ military ticket. Seniors get a discount on Thursdays.

If you plan to visit the Flower Fields multiple times, it’s worth it to get a season pass, which grants you unlimited entry. You then don’t have to worry about reserving particular time slots; you’re welcome daily (no blackout dates).

parking

Parking is free, and there are Disabled spaces available.

exhibits, attractions, and activities

I recommend grabbing a map so you don’t miss anything while you’re walking around the grounds. I did my best to order this in a way where you can see everything in a loop, rather having to bounce around. So once you enter the main entrance (not the weekend entrance), turn right and you’ll start my little walking tour. All attractions are free/ included in your main ticket unless noted.

Glass in Flight by Alex Heveri - One of the newest exhibits, this consists of 2 dozen outdoor glass sculptures. You’ll see them scattered throughout the property.

The Artist Gardens & Bird Aviaries - While the Flower Fields are the main attraction, there’s plenty of beautiful arrangements throughout the property. The aviary exhibits are also fun; you get to learn about different bird species.

Fountain Garden - Another beautiful garden, and the fountain makes for a beautiful photo background.

Historic Poinsettia Display - This sometimes isn’t available until late March/ early April, but it’s beautiful and features some truly rare poinsettias.

American Flag of Flowers - A hidden gem, this is just past the poinsettia display and absolutely worth checking out.

Tractor Wagon Ride - Not something you have to do every single visit, but I recommend it if you are new or want to explore the grounds without having to do too much walking. It costs an extra $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 3-10 and is credit/ debit only. Children under 3 are free.

Sculpture Garden - The sculptures are bigger than you’d expect, so it makes for another great photo spot.

Pothead Garden - It’s a cheeky name, but this is a little sculpture garden that has heads/ faces as pots. It reminds me of something you’d see at the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

Demonstration Garden - Here you’ll find a handful of sample gardens made for small spaces; it serves as inspiration for anyone who wants to bring some of the Flower Fields magic and beauty to their home, no matter how small their outdoor space is.

Illusion Garden - Lots of sculptures, oversized chairs, and a little gnome garden if you look closely. It’s a play on Alice in Wonderland and proportions, where nothing is as it seems.

Butterfly Encounter - New and improved, this is located to the right of the Sweet Pea Maze. It costs an additional $5 per ticket (children under 3 are free), and is credit/ debit card only. It’s open from 10 to 5:30.

Sweet Pea Maze - Smells incredible, and less claustrophobic than the corn mazes you may have been through before.

Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse - Features beautiful cymbidium orchids as well as orchid benches for photos.

Santa’s Playground - A playground for kids to run out their energy, it gets its name from being similar to Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead.

Carlsbad Mining Company - Perfect for kids, this hands-on activity teaches them the old-school technique of sluicing for gems. It’s an extra $5 per ticket, and is more for kids than adults.

Sea of Sunflowers - 5 acres total, it’s not on the map provided so don’t be afraid to ask for directions.

kid friendly activities

Pretty much all of the activities at the Flower Fields are kid-friendly. I don’t have children, so I’m not the best at gauging what is/ isn’t age-appropriate, but here are a few I definitely wouldn’t miss:

The Artist Gardens & Bird Aviaries - They’re in cages, but the birds seem much more up-close than you’d expect.
Tractor Ride - There’s a lot of walking, so this gets kids off their feet and is a nice way to explore the grounds without trekking it.
Butterfly Encounter - It is an extra $5 on top of the ticket price, but worth it.
Sweet Pea Maze - It can get hot if the weather is warm that day, so bring water.
Santa’s Playground - So much of the Flower Fields are “look, don’t touch" because you don’t want to pick the flowers. This is a great spot for them to get their energy out.
Carlsbad Mining Company - Sluicing for gemstones costs an extra $5, but it’s a fun hands-on activity. And if kids complete an activity passport, they’ll refund you $1.

food

The Carlsbad Flower Fields has a few options for food - from the Pizza Trolley to the Taco Trolley, Kettle Kernels popcorn (coffee is also sold here), and Sweet Swirls Ice cream. Expect snacks and treats like freshly squeezed lemonade or ice cream. Strawberry Shack is also a popular stop, especially since they serve the famous Dole Whip.

I personally recommend eating a snack at home (or on the way), and then eating elsewhere. The Flower Fields are directly across from the Outlets, but the food there isn’t great. Instead, check out the Carlsbad Village (about 10 minutes away), where there are tons of options - brunch, outdoor seating, upscale, kid and pet friendly, etc. Some of my recommendations:

Cafe Topes - traditional breakfast and brunch options with indoor and outdoor seating, although they’re only open until 2pm.
The Naked Cafe - lots of healthy dishes, plus vegan and gluten-free options. They’re only open until 2:30pm.
American Heroes & Brew - straightforward, there’s something for everyone. I recommend this if you have a large group or need to please a lot of picky eaters.
Gonzo Ramen - a simple menu, but service is always wonderful. I love the vegan ramen.
Shorehouse Kitchen - a local favorite, the dining space is a little cramped but the food is always good.
Le Papagauyo - modern, this place is for the foodies who want unique twists on the classics.
Board & Brew - perfect if you want an informal sit-down or takeout, and the kid’s menu will please even the pickiest eaters.

accessibility at the carlsbad flower fields

Emotional support animals are not allowed, unfortunately. The tractor ride is wheelchair accessible; it is an additional $8 cost for adults, $4 for children ages 3-10 and is credit/ debit only. Children under 3 are free.

As far as accessing the Flower Fields, it’s a hill that isn’t too steep. it’s dirt, not gravel, and the staff does a great job of making sure there aren’t bumps or holes that could cause people to trip or wheels to get stuck.

There are benches and chairs available at the very top, as well as each photo section. There’s also turf grass covering at each inlet where the benches/ photo spots are.

photography at the carlsbad flower fields

Photography is allowed and encouraged. The Flower Fields have really embraced the growth of social media and selfies - they now offer photo op spots and benches to help you get perfect pictures. You can bring cameras and tripods, but not drones or other more technical photography equipment.

As far as getting photos of you and your friends and/or family, the environment at the Flower Fields is extremely warm and welcoming. Strangers will offer to take your photo, and I’ve never seen anyone say no when they’ve been asked to take a photo. We all know we’re there to take pictures and make memories, so don’t feel embarrassed or self-conscious.

That being said, a few things to note:

Don’t pick flowers as props; if everyone did that, there wouldn’t be any flowers to take pictures of/ with.
Take your time, but don’t take too much time. Be courteous of other people who are waiting to take pictures, but also don’t let anyone bully you out of a spot if you just got there. We all get to take turns.
You can’t bring in a photographer for a commercial shoot, but you can book professional sessions via The Flower Fields website.

carlsbad flower fields FAQ

are pets allowed?

Service animals are allowed. Pets and emotional support animals are not. For more information, contact the Flower Fields directly.

do you need to buy tickets for children?

Yes; tickets for ages 3-10 are discounted. If you visit on a Monday, one adult or senior/ military ticket allows one free child entry with it. Children under 3 are always free. All tickets must be purchased online.

what should you bring to the flower fields?

Wear walking shoes, since the path is dirt. Bring a camera (or make sure your phone is charged), as well as water and sunglasses and/or a hat. Depending on how long you plan on exploring the fields, you may want to bring sunscreen. I apply before I go and typically don’t need to reapply since my visits aren’t as long. It can also get breezy being so close to the ocean, so bring a light jacket or sweater (especially if it’s a cloudy day).

If needed, bring a stroller or wheelchair as they’re unavailable to rent on-site.

what if it’s raining?

The Flower Fields are open even if it’s raining, as long as the pathways are safe for walking. Certain attractions like the wagon ride may be affected, though. The Flower Fields will close if walkways become unsafe. To ensure you can make the most of your visit, I recommend booking for a day where chance of precipitation is low/ zero.

do you get bad allergies at the flower fields?

Everyone is different. My mom and I are prone to allergies, but we continue to visit every year. She will take allergy medication before we get there; I won’t. We both enjoy the fields and don’t notice any allergy symptoms. Strangely enough, later in the day when we are home, we notice mild symptoms - she has a runny/ stuffy nose, I get an itchy throat, and we both feel mild sinus headaches. It’s not so bad that it ruins our day, and it will never prevent us from visiting the Flower Fields.

how steep are the flower fields?

Not very steep. My knees are very sensitive and I don’t trust myself hiking at all, but the Flower Fields pathways are doable, don’t hurt my knees, and I don’t worry about falling. I think they do a great job maintaining them - there aren’t random gaps or holes that may trip you up, and it’s not super dusty, either.

is re-entry allowed?

It used to be, but re-entry is no longer allowed.

where is the butterfly encounter?

The Butterfly Encounter is to the right of the Sweet Pea Maze. It costs $5 per person, but children under 3 are free.

can you take flowers home with you?

Yes, but don’t pick any of the flowers in the fields! As you go to leave, they sell a variety of fresh bouquets as well as seeds if you want to start your own min flower field at home.

can you book professional photoshoots?

You can’t bring in your own photographer, but you can book professional sessions through The Flower Fields website.

Carlsbad Flower Fields Tips