Visiting The Carlsbad Flower Fields With Kids

It’s the most beautiful time of the year! Spring has brought beautiful wildflowers throughout San Diego. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with flower fields! Driving just about anywhere you’ll be able to see a rainbow of colors of wildflowers gracing the hills. Additionally, the Carlsbad Flower Fields are finally open! I think visiting the fields with your family is a super fun springtime activity. I’ve put this post together sharing my experience and my best tips of what to do when visiting The Carlsbad Flower Fields with kids.

Buy your carlsbad flower field tickets online

First things first, you need to get your tickets ahead of time on the website. No tickets are sold in person. You also need to make a reservation for a date and time that you’ll be coming, but rumor has it they are not super strict on the exact time you arrive. Be sure to plan your visit to the Carlsbad Flower Fields in advance, weekends do book up quickly.

family playing in a beautiful yellow flower field

What flowers will I see?

Aside from the Carlsbad Flower Fields famous 50 acres of Ranuculus flowers in a rainbow of colors, you will also see other flowers. There are huge gardens surrounding the entrance of the park with a huge variety of species of flowers. It’s super beautiful to walk through! There are also cute birds and other animals in cages at the gardens. Kids love it!

Other Fun things to do

If you have a tractor lover like I do, taking the tractor tour around the fields is a really great activity. Plus, you can see the entire property without having to walk too much. Tickets are $8, but kids 3 and under are free!

Another thing you can’t miss when visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields with kids is their super on theme playground. My kids could spend hours at this beautiful playground, its a nice place to spend the afternoon before or after your walk around the flower fields.

Certain times of year the Carlsbad Flower Field also offers blueberry picking, so definitely check their website to find out when that opens!

Kids also love to play at the “Carlsbad Mining Company”. Find your polished gemstones using the miner’s old method of sluicing water through boxes of sand. Fun for all ages! Sluicing can be done at $5 per guest. Take one dollar off ($4) for kids who turn in their completed passport!

One activity that is fun for the whole family is the sweet pea maze! Immerse yourself in the fragrant and colorful “old fashioned” sweet pea blossoms.

You should also take a look at the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse and view an abundance of beautiful cymbidium orchids available for sale at the Armstrong Garden Center.

beautiful couple hugging and posing for a picture in a yellow wildflower field

Food and drinks at the carlsbad flower fields

There are light food and beverage options at the park. You can find pizza, mexican food, , strawberry, cotton candy, shakes, ice cream and kettle corn.

Best time to visit the carlsbad flower fields

I recommend visiting in April for the best chance at seeing a fully bloomed flower field. Visiting on the weekdays and in the mornings are your best chance at getting a quieter experience. Otherwise you can expect some crowds at other times.

A great experienece for kids

I think visiting the flower fields once a year is a great family tradition to have! Its really a beautiful place, and it’s so kid friendly. Being outdoors and enjoying this beautiful place with your loved ones is sure to create a special memory for everyone.

two sisters hugging and giggling in a flower field

I hope you have a great time at the visiting The Carlsbad Flower Fields! Since you’re here, I would love to photograph your family sometime! You can take a look at my work here, and click here to hear more about my family sessions! I look forward to hearing from you!

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