Nothing signals the summer like the bold, yellow fields of sunflowers. As we kiss the cherry blossoms and many wildflowers goodbye, there are new carpets of colorful blooms to feast your eyes on—like lavenders and sunflowers! While sunflowers typically reach peak bloom between mid-June and mid-July, unexpected weather conditions can bring about blooms towards the end of May, and others may only show up as late as September. If wandering through lush fields, petting farm animals and inhaling fresh floral scents sounds like the therapy you need right now, then head to one of these havens below.
1. Underwood Family Farm
This family-owned farm gives Angelenos an excellent reason to leave the city noise behind for more simple (but extremely pleasant) pursuits throughout the year. They have an extensive list of vegetable crops available for picking each season, making you question whether you need to step foot in a grocery store again. However, every table of delicious, fresh-as-it-gets produce needs a vase of freshly picked flowers to go with it. You can pick your own sunflowers daily for $1.50 per stem or $3.50 for multi-stem flowers, with each holding up to 2,000 seeds that can be dried, roasted, and eaten.
2. Tanaka Farms
Stroll through acres of sunflowers at this Costa Mesa gem. You’ll have plenty of varieties to choose from, including the crimson ProCut Red sunflowers that can grow up to 6 feet tall towering sunflowers, or the Mammoth yellow sunflowers, which can go up to 12 feet in height. General admission is $10, and you can get a keepsake flower cup to collect up to 15 flowers in. You’ll need to bring your own cutting utensils or purchase some when you get there.
3. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Treat your eyes to dramatic bursts of color at this Insta-famous farm just north of San Diego county. The magnificent natural beauty of The Flower Fields is thanks to 85 years years of cultivation and the petaled fruits of this labor are indeed a sight to behold. This blossoming jewel resembles a living installation as the colors change from technicolor rows of springtime buds to golden sunflowers in the summer.