Forced to choose from among the multitude of attractions and distractions offered by a trip to southern California, visitors understandably can sometimes overlook one of the region's most colorful—literally—attractions, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Spread across 50 acres of hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Flower Fields are a definite “must see” for anyone with a green thumb and an appreciation of nature's beauties. If that describes you, add the Flower Fields to your personal bucket list. You'll be glad you did.
At the recent gathering in Encinitas of former Abqaiq teachers from the '70s, four Aramco ExPats spent a glorious Saturday morning exploring the riotous display of spring blossoms carpeting that slopes of the northwest corner of San Diego County. The fields trace their history back almost 90 years to when an early settler introduced Ranunculus seeds to the area. The results can be seen today in the form of millions of multi-hued Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers flashing their technicolor finery for six to eight weeks every spring. Bonnie Cook, Dave and Ginny Griffith, and Vicci Turner had the good fortune of visiting the fields this year at the very height of their glory.
The Flower Fields offer attractions to entertain not just the adults but the little people as well, including a scavenger hunt and a chance to pan for gold. Thanks to Dave surreptitiously "salting the mine," a young girl screeched with delight when she discovered her very own nugget in her gold pan, just like the sourdough prospectors once did in the gold fields of the Yukon.
A highlight of the day for the four big kids was a wagon ride behind a tractor around and through the flowers. It brought back fond memories of hayrides from their youth.
For children of all ages, just a short distance away from the Carlsbad Flower Fields is the Legoland California Theme Park, offering a multitude of rides and attractions as well as restaurants and accommodations.
For more information on the Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch, visit www.theflowerfields.com/visitor-information/
For more information on the Legoland California Theme Park, visit www.legoland.com/california/