Nothing signals the summer like gorgeous 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!
Sunflowers typically reach peak bloom between mid-June and mid-July, which means it’s perfect time to get a dose of the bold beauties. 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 sunflower fields near L.A. below.
1. Underwood Family Farm
This family-owned farm gives Angelenos an excellent reason for a day trip for more simple (but extremely pleasant) pursuits throughout the year. They have an extensive list of crops including strawberries and tomatoes 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, with each holding up to 2,000 seeds that can be dried, roasted, and eaten.
📍Location: 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021
2. Hana Field in Costa Mesa by 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.
📍 Location: 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, California 92612
3. Pumpkin Station
Aside from being a pumpkin farm, The Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station plants over 75,000 sunflower seeds each summer. By early October, they are in bloom and ready to be picked. You can enjoy U-Pick sunflowers for the affordable price of $2 per stem and snap some photos in the fields. The farm provides shears for cutting the flowers.
📍 Location: 13421 Highland Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92128
4. Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho
Riley’s at Los Rios Ranch, a well known sunflower farm near Los Angeles, primarily operates as an apple farm and is open seven days a week for apple picking. Additionally, the farm features a small sunflower field where visitors can pick their own sunflowers for a fee, with shears provided for cutting. The best time to pick sunflowers is late September to early October.
📍 Location: 39611 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399
5. 1stFruitsFarm
Often referred to as Temecula Wine Country’s Neighborhood Farm, offers u-pick sunflowers from spring through early fall. It’s a good idea to call ahead to confirm the sunflowers are in bloom. Besides sunflowers, they operate as a fully functional farm with a pot-bellied pig, chickens, and alpacas. They also offer farm tours and sell fresh fruits and vegetables to the community.
📍 Location: 41625 Altanos Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
6. South Coast Farms
Situated in the charming town of San Juan Capistrano, South Coast Farms grows fresh, pesticide-free produce and provides u-pick sunflowers from its fields. For a genuine harvest experience, you can also pick strawberries, vegetables, and pumpkins. They are open from 9 AM to 4 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October.
📍 Location: 33201 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
7. 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. This sunflower farm near Los Angeles will reopen in March 2025,
📍 Location: 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
8. Carlsbad Strawberry Company
While you can’t pick sunflowers here, the Carlsbad Strawberry Company in Carlsbad, a popular destination for sunflower fields near Los Angeles, boasts a gigantic sunflower maze that you can explore during the strawberry picking season from March to July. The maze also provides a fantastic backdrop for family photos.
📍 Location: 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
9. Sandoval And Sons Flower Growers
Sandoval and Sons Flower Grower is a hidden gem offering fresh, locally grown flowers at unbeatable prices. You can pick your own blooms, just $5 for 10 stems, or grab a ready-made bouquet. Their sunflowers are huge and long-lasting, perfect for gifting or brightening up your home. It’s also a great spot for photos, making it a fun and affordable mini adventure near LA.
📍 Location: 30441 N River Rd Bonsall, CA 92003
Originally written by Ashlyn Davis.