arlsbad Flower Fields

It's flower-time here in Carlsbad. From March 1 until May 10, fifty sloping acres adjacent to Palomar Airport Road will be arrayed like royalty with pink, yellow, white, red and orange stripes of giant Ranunculus blooms. Sitting like a crown atop this striking display of color is our very own Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel. Carlsbad's world-famous Flower Fields attract over 150,000 visitors every year during this two-month peak season, many of whom return year after year to meander through The Fields and marvel at what man and nature can do when they work together.

The strain of Ranunculus flower grown at The Flower Fields is called the Tecolote® Giant Ranunculus. It is native to Asia Minor, and a member of the buttercup family. The flower is also known as the Persian Buttercup or Ranunculus Asiatic.

Only about 1-2% of the flowers grown are sold (which is about one million flowers). They primarily grow the flowers to harvest the bulbs. The ranch harvests about 6-8 million bulbs per year.

"The Flower Fields" is spelled with a capital letter in front of each of the three words. This was the official name given to the fields in 1993, after Carlsbad residents had been referring to them unofficially as "the flower fields" for years.

The interior design of Grand Pacific Palisades was inspired by The Flower Fields (as well as LEGOLAND® California). The colors in the rooms play off the bright colors of the flowers.

The Flower Fields are owned by the Paul Ecke Jr. Family and its affiliates, the same people that own the Paul Ecke Ranch, world-famous Poinsettia growers, in neighboring Encinitas.

The Flower Fields History

An English immigrant named Luther Gage planted the first Ranunculus flower seeds in North America when he settled with his family in San Diego County. He cultivated the flower on his ranch with the help of some local workers. One of those workers, Frank Frazee, now a Ranunculus-growing expert, passed his expertise onto his sons, and the Frazee family started its own Ranunculus ranch. The business began to grow quickly in the 1930s, and after the Frazees moved the ranch twice, the fields landed in Carlsbad in 1958. People were naturally attracted to the richly-colored fields, and over the years more and more people came to see the ranch. Carlsbad's residents came to consider the flower fields as part of their local heritage. In 1993, the Frazee family ended their ownership of ranch, but the tradition continues.

Visitor's Information

The Flower Fields are open to the public seven days a week during the hours of 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM March 1-May 10, 2009. Guests are provided with free parking, restroom facilities, and handicapped accessibility. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $5 for children (ages 3-10). For more information call (760) 431-0352 or visit www.theflowerfields.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS for 2009

March 28, 2009
Kid's Day
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• LEGOLAND® California - Hands on table
• Science Adventures - "TBA"
• Animal Balloons
• "Oopsy Daisy" Face painting
• Free child safety ID's

April 4, 2009
Bluegrass Day
Family and friends will enjoy a full day of Bluegrass music and arts and crafts. Come and enjoy a musical journey of guitar, banjo and fiddle! Shop for wonderful treasures created by local artisans.

April 4-5 & April 18-19, 2009
Arts and Crafts Fair
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The Annual Arts & Crafts Fair is one of the most popular events at The Flower Fields®. Our arts and crafts fair will feature an array of outstanding paintings, photography, pottery and crafts created by the best of Southern California's artisans. While strolling among the arts and crafts and listening to music, our guests will be able to relax and enjoy delicious heart-shaped strawberries grown in local San Diego fields.

April 12, 2009
Easter
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunrise service will be on Sunday, March 23 at 6:30 am. Dress warmly, and come prepared for great music, the good news of our God's love, close fellowship, and a free breakfast as our guest. And after the service, stay to enjoy the beauty of The Flower Fields®! Program handouts will include a two-for-one coupon good for admission to The Flower Fields® on March 23rd only.

April 18, 2009
Red Hat Ladies' Day/Style Show
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
An event celebrating the Red Hat Society with a spectacular fashion show, wagon ride, refreshments, and door prizes.

April 18, 2009
Blues Day
New this year! A Blues Pro All Star Jam. Our festival is a blues lovers dream combined with a variety of arts and crafts.

April 19, 2009
Canon Photography Workshop
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Come and celebrate the beauty of The Flower Fields® with Canon USA at a free macro photography workshop.

April 24-26, 2009
Orchids at The Flower Fields®
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
A unique orchid shopping experience with millions of ranunculus blooms as a backdrop. There will be over 20 vendors with orchids from around the world, and thousands of plants for sale!

May 2-3, 2009
Exotic Plant Sale
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Unusual and hard to find plants from growers around the country. Come and experience the largest variety of specialty plants you've ever seen!

May 9, 10, 2009
Bonsai Show & Sale
Enjoy the unique blending of art and horticulture at our bonsai exhibition and sale.

May 10, 2009
Mother's Day Celebration
Join us on the final day of our season as we honor Moms on this special day.

For more information, please visit The Flower Fields visitor's website.