|
arlsbad Flower Fields
 It's flower-time here in Carlsbad.
From March 1 until May 11, 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 Resort). 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 11, 2008. Guests are provided with free parking, restroom facilities, and handicapped accessibility. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children (ages 3-10). For more information call (760) 431-0352 or visit www.theflowerfields.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS for 2008
Easter Weekend March 23, 2008
Sunrise service will be on Sunday, March 23 at 6:15 am. Dress warmly, and come prepared for great music, and enjoy a free breakfast as our guest. And after the service, stay to enjoy the beauty of The Flower FieldsŪ! Program handouts will include a two-for-one coupon good for admission to The Flower FieldsŪ on March 23rd only. For more information about the Easter service or The Fields Church please visit our website: Fields Church.
March 29, 2008
Kid's Day
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Astro Jump
- LEGOLAND California Resort - Hands on table
- San Diego Guild of Puppetry - Craft project
- Animal Balloons
- Face painting
- Science Adventures - "Make & take crystals"
- Free child safety ID's
April 5, 2008
Red Hatter's Rendezvous
9:00am - 6:00pm
Cost: $15 per person
Includes:
Admission into The Flower FieldsŪ
Style Show 1:30pm until 2:30 pm
Entertainment!
Door Prizes!
Tractor Driven Wagon Ride!
Seating is limited! Advance Chapter Reservations Required
Please call:
The Flower FieldsŪ
Joni - (760) 930-9123 ext 118
or e-mail joni@carltas.com
April 12, 2008
Bluegrass Day
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join the North County Bluegrass & Folk Club at The Flower FieldsŪ for some "Pickin' in the Posies" and "Fiddlin' in the Flowers". During the day musicians will be around the grounds playing some bluegrass, old-time and other traditional music (solo or in small groups). We hope both newcomers and long time visitors will come to experience music and the spectacular beauty of 50 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus!
Headlining the day is "Lighthouse"!
One of the premier bluegrass bands in San Diego! The band is headed up by Wayne Rice announcer for The Bluegrass Special on KSON radio every Sunday night.
Performance times: 1:00pm-2:00pm and 3:00pm-4:00pm
April 12-13 & April 19-20, 2008
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 FieldsŪ. 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 13, 2008
Photography workshop with Canon
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Come and celebrate the beauty of The Flower FieldsŪ with Canon USA at a free macro photography workshop.
April 25-27, 2008
Orchids at The Flower FieldsŪ
12:00 Noon - 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, thousands of plants for sale!
May 3-4, 2008
Exotic Plant Sale
9:00 AM - 5:00 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 11, 2008
Mother's Day
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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.
|
