VISIT CARLSBAD RANCH’S EPIC FLOWER FIELDS THIS SPRING

VISIT CARLSBAD RANCH’S Epic Flower Fields THIS SPRING

BY MEGAN HILL

Each year, some 70 million flowers bloom across The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch in Southern California. This incredible phenomenon takes place from March 1 through early to midMay, depending on seasonal changes. The 50 acres of the ranch is one of the most colorful springtime destinations, and absolutely worth planning a trip around.

The bloom, which covers 50 acres, are made up of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers. This display has run for 60 years, carpeting the rolling hills of North San Diego County in stunning colors. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch bloom for six to eight weeks, and the event is part of a wider celebration that includes several activities. There’s blueberry picking, outdoor

music, a circus, theater groups, tractor wagon tours, artist gardens and aviaries, a sweet pea maze and a Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse. The entire grounds of The Flower Fields also include an array of other display gardens, including one designed to attract butterflies.

The fields are the result of nearly 85 years of cultivation, starting with Luther Gage, a

VISIT CARLSBAD RANCH’S Epic Flower Fields THIS SPRING

horticulturist who moved to the area and began growing flowers in the early 1920s. It’s since grown into one of the most beloved attractions in the San Diego area, and has become a tradition for the region as it heralds the arrival of spring. All told, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is considered one of the most productive working flower ranches in North America.

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are located 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA, 92008. Advance tickets are recommended. Admission is $22 for adults, $20 for seniors 60+ and military, $10 for children 3–10, and free for children under three. Season passes and group tours are also available. Private events are open to book year-round, including corporate groups and weddings.

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is located in North San Diego County, less than a half mile from the ocean. There are several prominent hotels within a five-minute drive of the ranch, and two international airports (Orange County and San Diego) are also a short drive away. Parking at the ranch is free, and there are restroom facilities and accessibility for visitors with disabilities.

And, if you can’t make it to see the flowers in person, the handpicked blooms are available to order online and ship nationwide.

Henderson, Nevada:

The beauty is in the feast.

Just minutes from the Las Vegas strip, Henderson, Nevada is a world away, where the outdoors beckon with brilliant adventure under endless sunlit skies. Here, recreation is organic to the majestic Southern Nevada landscape. Hikers and bikers can trek more than 180 miles of spectacular outdoor trails, golfers enjoy their pick of champion courses, and recreational options abound—boating to birding to paddle boating and more. And the same is true for dining. In a city where food is a passion and every meal a celebration, diners enjoy a bountiful array of choices, from flaming fajitas to flavor-packed steaks, from robust and rustic Tuscan to sports bar fare elevated to an art. And this is a city that pours on the refreshment, with an entire district devoted to brew pubs and wineries. Drink it all in. In Henderson, Nevada, the beauty is in the feast.

Begin your recreational repast with nine courses—golf courses, that is—which include the Jack Nicklaus-designed gem at Lake Las Vegas. An alluring backdrop for golf, the lake’s brilliant blue waters also offer a perfectly refreshing plunge into kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, flyboarding and jet packs, and even yacht cruises. Back on land, hiking and biking trails stretch out across the city, ribbons of exploration threading through suburban streetscapes and through dramatic mountain and desert vistas. Take your pick from easy, intermediate, challenging and even equestrian trails. Henderson can also serve as your HQ for further adventures just a half hour away at nationally renowned recreational areas like the magnificent Lake Mead. Henderson hospitality allows you to custom tailor your visit to fit your wish list, with a diverse range of accommodations and a total of more than 4,000 hotel rooms.

And when it comes to your Henderson dining, delectable selections also proliferate in nooks, neighborhoods and districts, delicious discoveries around every corner. In Henderson’s historic Water Street District, expect inviting vibes and unique takes on classic dishes. At Biscuits and Bourbon, for example, fluffy buttermilk biscuits share

pride of place with the 10-hour smoked brisket on a bun and WeCan Pecan Pie, all served up in sleek surroundings of exposed wood and steel. In the District at Green Valley Ranch, luxurious abundance is on the menu, in the epic steak experience that awaits at Hank’s Fine Steaks and Martinis, where hand-crafted cocktails find the perfect accompaniment in the old-school glamour of Hank’s piano bar. And for a truly exotic setting, you may want to reserve the glassed-in table at the Lion Habitat Ranch for a “Feast with the Beasts,” allowing you and your party to dine in the awesome company of the sanctuary’s African lions. A tasting tour of the Ethel M chocolate factory is another sweet treat, and in the aptly named Artisan Booze District, where spirits are indeed both an art and a craft, you can sip and savor your way through a brilliant lineup: Original brews in pubs like Crafthaus Brewing as well as handcrafted, small-batch wines at Vegas Valley Winery, where tours and a tasting room are special draws. So drink up and drink it all in. Henderson’s feast is before you. Discover more at visithendersonnv.com.

Alamogordo

- Adventure Awaits

Alamogordo is home to one of our Nation’s Newest National Parks, White Sands National Park, from hiking and dune sledding, picnicking, photography & incredible dark skies for stargazing, it’s bucket list-worthy! Make Alamogordo your home base for your visit to Southern New Mexico. Located in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains, with numerous hotels and RV Resorts including the brand-new Hilton Home2Suites, unique Classic Desert Aire, and Alamogordo/White Sands KOA Journey, you’ll find great accommodations and multiple days of family fun, great food, historic sites, and outdoor adventures.

The entire family will love the New Mexico Museum of Space History and planetarium. This Smithsonian affiliate museum is filled with interactive exhibits exploring the birth of America’s space program, and the important role the local area has played. From full-scale rockets to a moon rock, the burial site of HAM (the first great ape in space), and daily Giant Screen films and planetarium shows, it’s out of this world!

Don’t miss the historic Alameda Park Zoo featuring nearly 300 animals spanning 50 species. You’ll love the American River Otters, Capuchin Monkeys, the new Dromedary Camel, reptiles in the Education Center, Kangaroos, and Mexican Grey Wolves. Bring your chairs and blankets to the zoo the 4th Friday of May thru August, for an evening of live music, food & craft vendors, adult beverages, and more!

All aboard! Head to the north end of Al-

ameda Park to the Toy Train Depot, you can take a ride around the park on one of the Miniature Train Company G-16 trains and explore the museum featuring small and very small-scale train layouts, artifacts, and static displays. 285 days of sunshine makes Alamogordo a great place for outdoor adventures. Take a hike at the Three Rivers Petroglyph site just

north of Alamogordo. This site offers direct access to more than 21,000 prehistoric Jornada Mogollon petroglyphs, a half-mile trail begins at the visitor center with spectacular views of the Tularosa Basin. The site also offers backpacking, picnicking, and camping opportunities. You could also head south of Alamogordo and check out Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. Visit the restored 19thcentury ranch house of Oliver Lee, take a trail to an oasis of pools beneath shady cottonwoods, and set up camp at this high desert year-round camping spot with views of White Sands National Park.

Alamogordo is known for its pistachio farms & vineyards and neither Heart of the

Desert Pistachios & Wine nor McGinn’s PistachioLand can be missed. Both have incredible pistachio treats and wine/nut tasting opportunities. From Garlic & Green Chile Pistachios to Butter Toffee Candied Pistachios, Gourmet Ice Cream, New Mexico Beer, and locally made wine (Arena Blanca Wine & Heart of the Desert) your tastebuds will be dancing! Both farms offer daily tours, one is walking, the other motorized. Heart of the Desert has “The Patio” a beautiful location overlooking the farm where you can sip your wine and sometimes find live music and food trucks, but don’t forget to take a photo in front of the World’s Largest Pistachio at PistachioLand while you indulge in a pistachio ice cream cone. End your day by catching an incredible sunset at White Sands National Park, or while listening to great live music and eating delicious local fare at the pet & family-friendly 575 Brewing Company. Visit the Alamogordonmtrue.com for more information.

Larger than life.

AlamogordoNMTrue.com