The Flower Fields
18 Apr 2014
Several years ago, when we first moved to Pasadena, I gave Eric a book on weekend getaways from LA. We love taking little trips together, and we had the exact same book for Northern California. The funny thing is that right after I gave it to him…I sort of stole it and read the whole thing myself! There were so many places I wanted to see with Eric (and I’m happy to say that we’ve put a good dent in the list!), but the Flower Fields stood out to me. Millions of ranunculus every spring, right on the coast? Sign me up! We planned our trip to Carlsbad a few months ago, right when I was starting to feel good enough to consider venturing further than the couch a possibility. I booked our B&B for the height of flower season.
It’s hard to do justice to the initial sight: stripe after stripe after stripe of gorgeous color. With a few cheerful rows of “confetti” thrown in for good measure.
It’s a major attraction in the area, and it was definitely crowded, but the further we went from the entrance, the more peace and quiet there was. We were snapping pictures like crazy. I love this picture of Eric so much. Doesn’t he have a beautiful smile?
While we were there, they were harvesting flowers. One set of employees cuts the flowers and puts them into plastic bouquet sleeves. The second set comes along behind them and collects the bouquets.
Trucks wait nearby with buckets of water for the bouquets.
Even though we were there after noon, the sun was still bright enough that it was hard to see through my camera’s viewfinder. I think most of my pictures are at least a little blown out, but you can still see the glory of these unusual flowers.
The species that they grow here is called Giant Tecolote. Tecolote means owl in Spanish, and I wonder if it’s a reference to these tightly packed petals, just like an owl’s feathers.
So beautiful. I had the hardest time choosing my favorite color. Eric liked the deep wine-colored ones best, but my favorite color was whichever color I happened to be standing in front of at the moment.
Right out past those trees, there’s the ocean.
One of my favorite things was finding one lone color in the field of another.
I couldn’t get enough of these multi-colored rows.
A nice Greek couple took our picture. It’s so funny to look at this picture now because I am already so much bigger than I was then! But my maternity jeans are still hilariously too big for me. Ah well, I am sure I will grow into them sometime.
After exploring the fields, we went to the orchid greenhouse. Every flower was so unique. And every one made me want to whip out my paints and brush!
This is the sweet pea maze. It smelled so good!
And a cute grasshopper.
Funnily enough, there was an outlet mall right next to the flower fields, so Eric took me there to try to find some maternity shorts. Best husband ever. No shorts were found, but we did get a smoothie and a milkshake. Once again, best husband ever! Milkshakes and outlet malls aside, we had such a beautiful time at the Flower Fields. I was so grateful that I felt good enough to tromp up and down the hill and pretty much cover the whole expanse of the place. It make me think so much of the tulip fields in Holland, and of my dad, who loves them. I would love to take him here someday!

Apr 18, 2014 @ 05:28:11
You know me well. My first thought when I pulled up your post this morning was the colorful tulip fields in Lisse near Keukenhof. I had no idea there were flower fields like this in CA. How beautiful! I think I agree with you, my favorite color would be the one I was standing closest to.
Apr 20, 2014 @ 22:22:25
It made me so happy to think of enjoying those flower fields! And I really do think we should take you down to Carlsbad. So many breweries!
Apr 18, 2014 @ 05:29:51
What gorgeous photos! My favorite was the lone red flowers in the fields of white. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
Apr 20, 2014 @ 22:22:47
Thank you so much! It was so beautiful, I think it would be hard to take a bad photo there!
Apr 19, 2014 @ 11:29:11
I just love this post — so much beauty! This place is simply inspiring — I must go someday (I’d only seen it via Huell Howser) — and it offers an undeniable balance to the ugliness that this world and its inhabitants often flood us with. Here is nature showing off its unmatchable glory, coupled with the creativity of free humans who took the time to turn it into something so, so spectacular. Magic all around, topped off with a milkshake — what could be better?
Apr 20, 2014 @ 22:26:00
Moriah, your comments are so amazing! You are a fantastic writer (and I am still hoping for a cookbook!). I think you would love this area if you ever plan a trip down south! The big cities are fun and interesting, but we really love the small towns in between–so much history and character, combined with a laid-back atmosphere and usually a thriving art community. Who could ask for more?
Apr 24, 2014 @ 05:42:28
I find myself in dire need of a Tecolote; how bout you? I MUST go to this place and wallow in the fields. I don’t know how you controlled yourself. I’ll never think the same about little wrapped bouquets of flowers.
May 04, 2014 @ 21:47:04
I know, you would have loved it! We do have this place earmarked for some vacations with you guys in the future–there’s lots to see, and the beaches are lovely and uncrowded!