Sunflowers in SoCal

Tanaka Farms Hana Field.

I feel it is a natural human quality to find joy in looking at lots and lots of flowers. One of my favorite flowers to see in any quantity are sunflowers. Sunflowers are a symbol of beauty and positivity to many, capturing hearts with their vibrant yellow hues and strikingly strong stature. With their sunny disposition, sunflowers bring joy and warmth to an already sunny California day. Here are two places to go view sunflowers in Southern California:

Tanaka Farms (Irvine):

(Pictured: U-Pick flowers at Hana Field.)

Tanaka Farms' Hana Sunflower Field in Costa Mesa is a lovely activity that anyone can enjoy, whether you are looking for a unique date idea or something to do with the whole family. With rows of golden sunflowers stretching as far as the eye can see, visitors can wander through the enchanting maze of blooms, capturing memorable photos, and you can also pay to get a souvenir cup and pick some yourself!

(Pro Tip: Bring your own garden shears if you plan to pick sunflowers, the sunflowers are extremely hard to cut, and Tanaka Farms does not provide any.)

Carlsbad Strawberry Company (Carlsbad):

(Pictured: Photos from Carlsbad Strawberry Company.)

Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a delightful destination for strawberry lovers and sunflower lovers alike. This family-owned farm offers a charming experience where visitors can pick their own luscious strawberries straight from the fields. The farm's picturesque setting also includes rows of beautiful sunflowers to view and take photos of. There was no U-Pick option here for sunflowers, so I thought it made a much better backdrop for photos. Plus, picking strawberries was a way tastier experience than picking sunflowers was.