Today we are heading up to the northern reaches of San Diego County, to the Flower Fields of Carlsbad.

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Flower Fields

Running right along Interstate 5 are 50 acres of vibrant flowers. They bloom from March to May, making a stunning display of colored ribbons visible as your car zooms past.

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The flowers are Giant Tecolote Ranunculus, a variety developed over the past 85 years by Luther Gage, Frank Frazee and his son, Edwin Frazee. Ranunculus thrive in the sandy soil and sun of Carlsbad.

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Most of the flowers you see end up being harvested for their bulbs, which are sold here. A portion of them are sold as cut flowers.

The annual Flower Fields bloom is a popular activity for San Diego area locals. Visitors can wander among the flowers, and take pictures, but not pick the flowers.

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Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

If you want to know more about the history and cultivation of these striking flowers, check out the Flower Fields’ history page. There is even a short video documentary about the Fields. I found it fascinating.

(All photos by By T.sujatha (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons) 

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Donna Amis DavisSan DiegoSan Diego A to ZToday we are heading up to the northern reaches of San Diego County, to the Flower Fields of Carlsbad. Running right along Interstate 5 are 50 acres of vibrant flowers. They bloom from March to May, making a stunning display of colored ribbons visible as your car zooms past. The flowers...Author of the '60s SURF SHOP MYSTERIES and DIVE SHACK MYSTERIES