13 Picturesque Sunflower Fields in California to Visit in the Summer

Reviewed by Mimi McFadden
Last updated:

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Where to see the most picturesque sunflower fields in California and when to go for peak bloom. 

Rows upon rows of golden flowers stretching to the sun, under a cerulean summer sky. 

It’s easy to see why seeking sunflowers in California for stunning shots is the hottest Instagram trend in recent years.

Unfortunately, it’s not always clear exactly where the fields are located, whether you’ll be welcome, or when you should go. 

And peak sunflower season in California can be as short as two weeks in the summer, so it’s frustratingly easy to miss your chance.

If your feed has inspired you to find your own field of gold this year, we’ve got you covered. 

Our California bucket-list guide to the best sunflower fields in California will guide you, whether you want to visit sunflower fields in Northern California or Southern California.

By the end of it, you’ll know the exact locations and timings for each sunflower hotspot so you won’t be disappointed when you make a trip out to these fields.

california sunflower field

California Sunflower Fields Map


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Best Time to Visit Sunflower Fields in California

best time to visit sunflowers in California

You can find sunflower fields all across California, and the peak bloom varies depending on the local climate.

For the famous fields around Sacramento and Davis in Northern California, aim to visit on the last weekend of June or the first two weekends of July to see them at their stunning best.

One of the best times is the Fourth of July, so you can make a weekend getaway of it and stay a while in this beautiful part of the state.

Missed your July window? That’s OK. There are other locations you can visit in the fall as well.  

In Northern California, Half Moon Bay and Hollister have sunflower fields open in October. And in Southern California, you can find sunflowers near San Diego open as late as November.

Best Sunflower Fields in Northern California

Muller Joe and Sons/M3 Ranches

  • Address: 35472 Co. Rd. 18A, Woodland, CA 95695
  • GPS coordinates: (38.7140054, -121.8523623)
  • How to get there: This ranch is just off the I-5, about 30 minutes northwest of Sacramento. Take County Rd 17 West, then take a left onto County Rd 95A. Turn left onto County Rd 18A
  • Contact info: (530) 662-0105 
  • Peak bloom: Mid-June to mid-July, aim for the first week of July for the best display
  • Cost: Free but contact the owners before showing up

Some of the best Northern California sunflower fields can be found in Yolo County, near Sacramento. M3 Ranches is one of the biggest and most beautiful sunflower farms in this area.

Understandably, farmers aren’t keen on hoards of Instagrammers showing up and trampling their fields, but the owners here are welcoming, provided you give them a heads up first.

DM or call the owners on (530) 662-0105 for permission to arrange a visit.

If you’re in Yolo County in mid-June, you can also make a visit Turkovich Family Winery. 

The vineyard hosts special wine-tasting and sunflower-viewing events during sunflower season, a must-do for sunflower fans. 

Keep an eye on the Turkovich Family Wines website for this year’s event.

Cloverleaf Farm

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 8901–8939 Olmo Ln., Davis, CA  95620
  • GPS coordinates: (38.5123600, -121.7857400)
  • How to get there: From Sacramento, head west on the I-80 for 20 minutes. The farm is just past UC Davis at the Kidwell Lane exit
  • Contact info: (530) 902-8831
  • Peak bloom: Late June to early July
  • Cost: Free, but stay on the roadside and be respectful of private land

The Cloverleaf Farm is one of the most famous Davis sunflower fields where you can pull over and admire these bright yellow flowers from the roadside.

Visit at the end of June to see these flowers at their peak, as they may be wilting by mid-July. 

If you turn up too late in the season, console yourself with their U-Pick apricots, which are grown organically here and which taste best when eaten fresh off the tree.

Dixon Sunflower Field

Dixon Sunflower Field near sacramento

Note: Unfortunately, as of 2022, the Dixon Sunflowers Fields appear to be permanently closed. There are now veggies growing where there used to be sunflowers.

  • Address: 8747 Currey Rd, Dixon, CA 95620
  • GPS coordinates: (38.4928239, -121.8222030)
  • How to get there: Just across the road from Dixon Fruit Stand
  • Peak bloom: Early July
  • Cost: Free

Also known as The Field of Sunflowers and the Currey Road Sunflower Fields, Dixon Sunflower Field is a spot that’s beloved by Instagrammers. 

If you see a sunflower picture in California that was beautiful enough to stop your scrolling, chances are it was taken at this location.

Some major pluses to this location? The field is large so there’s plenty of room to spread out, it’s easy to find, and the sunflowers grow to a just-right six-feet tall.

Being Instagram famous has its drawbacks, however. This is probably the most crowded of the sunflower fields in California during peak-bloom weekends.

Because of this, it’s best to visit early, just as the sun rises or right at sunset during golden hour. 

This time of day is when you’ll get the best pictures, and there are fewer people. Just remember that this is private land, so stick to the roadside.

Pedrick Produce

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 6850 Sievers Rd, Dixon, CA 95620
  • GPS coordinates: (38.4899521, -121.8043450)
  • How to get there: Take I-80 south from Sacramento, exit 67 to Pedrick Road, left at the fork to Sievers Road
  • Contact info: (707) 678-1814, info@pedrickproduce.com
  • Peak bloom: Early July
  • Cost: Free

If you’re visiting Dixon Sunflower Field, seek out Pedrick Produce too. This Yolo County sunflower farm has a beautiful field of sunflowers, plus a small produce store.

The tamales here are excellent and worth the visit alone. Again, this is a private farm, so don’t go trampling the flowers – email or call before your visit to ask if you can enter.

Andreotti Family Farms

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 800 N Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA  94019
  • How to get there: Just over 30 minutes south of San Francisco, down the scenic Highway 1
  • Contact info: (650) 922-0141
  • Peak bloom: September 
  • Cost: $20 for an adult to visit for 50 minutes, including five sunflowers that you pick yourself

If you’re looking for a sunflower field near San Francisco, skip the scorching sun for the cool coast at Andreotti Family Farms in Half Moon Bay. 

It might be one of the few times you actually wish for gray skies to make the yellow colors of the flowers really pop in your photos. 

The sunflowers in Half Moon Bay bloom later in the year than other sunflower fields in California due to the cooler climate. 

Aim to visit this Half Moon Bay sunflower field in September for the peak bloom. Some years the field is still in bloom into October when you can also visit the pumpkin patch.

Swank Farms

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 4751 Pacheco Highway, Hollister, CA, 95023
  • How to get there: From Hollister, drive ten minutes north on the 156B, then turn right onto Pacheco Pass
  • Contact info: 831-637-4704, info@swankfarms.com
  • Peak bloom: Early July
  • Cost: $25

Swank Farms in Hollister runs a U-Pick sunflower event for two weekends in September. 

Like Half Moon Bay, Hollister is not far from the coast, and the cooler climate leads to late-blooming sunflowers.

The owners planted a mix of 16 different varieties, from mammoth to dwarf, so you can have fun finding your favorite.

Aside from sunflowers, the farm also runs a pumpkin patch, corn maze, giant pillow, and more. 

Swank Farms is located just over an hour south of San Jose, so this is an excellent option if you’re looking for sunflower fields in California that are close to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Best Sunflower Fields in Southern California

Centerville Fruit Station

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 106 S Academy Ave, Sanger
  • GPS coordinates: (36.7334865, -119.4992543)
  • How to get there: From Fresno, head east on Highway 180 for 20 minutes, turn right onto N Oliver Ave
  • Contact info: (559) 400-3211 
  • Peak bloom: Early July
  • Cost: Free, but donations appreciated

The Centerville Fruit Station makes a nice stop on the way to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for fresh strawberries or peaches. 

And, if you’re headed that way in early July, it’s also one of the best sunflower fields in California that has a sunflower maze.

Get lost (temporarily!) among the giant sunflowers in the maze. It’s free but donations are welcome to keep the attraction open.

Murray Family Farms

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 6700 General Beale Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93307 
  • How to get there: Head east on Highway 58 from Bakersfield for 20 minutes. Take the exit for General Beale Rd, and go left.
  • Contact info: (661) 330-0100
  • Peak bloom: Early October
  • Cost: General admission is $14.99 on weekdays and $15.99 on weekends.

The Murray Farms October Fun Fest runs every day in October and is another chance to catch sunflowers in bloom if you missed sunflower season in July.

In addition to the beautiful sunflower field, filled with 18 varieties of sunflowers, Fun Fest has a hayride, giant bounce pillow, slide, spider web, and an animal garden. 

Admission includes one pumpkin and one sunflower.

Underwood Family Farms

Underwood Family Farms
  • Address: 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark
  • How to get there: From Los Angeles, take I-5 North to Highway 118. Go west, then take the CA-23 exit toward Moorpark. Take the Tierra Rejado Road exit, then turn left onto Sunset Valley Road.
  • Contact info: 805-529-3690
  • Peak bloom: Early July
  • Cost: Weekday admission is $6, $8 on the weekend. Kids under the age of two go free. Includes parking. $1.50 per stem for U-Pick sunflowers.

A sunflower field in Southern California, Underwood Family Farms has a pick-your-own sunflower field open to visitors in the summer. 

You can also buy zinnias here, which make a colorful addition to a sunflower bouquet.

Their sunflower season also coincides with their strawberry season, so you can combine your sunflower trip with a punnet of fresh fruit.

Additionally, kids can pet the friendly farm animals and burn off some energy on the play structure. Wagon rides are also included in the price of admission.

Hana Fields/Tanaka Farms in Costa Mesa

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 427 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
  • How to get there: The farm is located on the corner of Sunflower Ave and Anton, Costa Mesa. Don’t get confused with Tanaka Farms in Irvine!
  • Contact info: (949) 653-2100
  • Peak bloom: Throughout the summer and into fall
  • Cost: $20 for general admission to the pumpkin patch, $6 for flower fields only

Hana means flower in Japanese and these Hana fields are spectacular. Tanaka Farms grows sunflowers, colorful zinnias, and herbs, which you can pick for a personalized bouquet.

The $20 admission price gets you a souvenir cup, 15 flowers, a pumpkin, and access to some of the pumpkin patch attractions at this sunflower field in Orange County

Alternatively, you can visit the sunflower fields only for the lower price of $6. 

It’s another $20 for a U-Pick sleeve of 15 flowers and you’ll need to bring your own cutters and gardening gloves to protect your hands. 

Although sunflower fields in California have a short blooming window of two weeks, Tanaka Farms plants seeds throughout the year, so there are flowers from spring to fall.

Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 13421 Highland Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92025
  • How to get there: Take the West Bernardo Drive exit on I-15. Turn left onto Highland Valley Rd and drive for 0.25 miles
  • Contact info: (858) 566-7466, info@pumpkinstation.com
  • Peak bloom: Early September
  • Cost: $2 per stem

Southern California sunflower fields bloom a little later than Northern California sunflower fields. 

The best time to see the beautiful sunflowers at Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station, just outside of San Diego, is in September. 

This is a great place to bring the family with a train ride, corn maze, and petting zoo. You can also cut your own sunflowers for $2 a stem.

Carlsbad Strawberry Company

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
  • How to get there: From San Diego, head north on I-5 for around 30 minutes to Carlsbad. Take the Cannon Road exit, just past LEGOLAND.
  • Contact info: (760) 603-9608
  • Peak bloom: September
  • Cost: $5 entry per person

A happy overlap between strawberry season and sunflower season happens right at the start of July, which the Carlsbad Strawberry Company in Southern California takes full advantage of.

This sunflower field near San Diego charges a $5 admission fee for the Carlsbad sunflower maze and Carlsbad sunflower fields. 

It’s a fresh twist on the traditional corn maze, and walking through the towering yellow flowers is a fun experience.

Once you find your way out, head over to the strawberry field to pick your own strawberries for lunch.

Bonita Pumpkin Farm

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Address: 5354 Sweetwater Rd., Bonita, CA. 91902
  • How to get there: Exit Sweetwater Rd off I-805 and drive to the corner of Sweetwater Rd and Bonita Rd
  • Contact info: (858) 566-7466, info@pumpkinstation.com
  • Peak bloom: First weekend of October
  • Cost: Admission and parking are free

Bonita Pumpkin Farm in Southern California has a field of sunflowers you can walk around, photograph, and pick to take home.

It’s open on all October weekends as part of its pumpkin patch but the sunflowers usually look best on the first weekend of October.   

If you want to cut your own sunflowers, the price is $2 a stem and the farm provides the shears.

Unlike many pumpkin patches, this one is free to wander around and the attractions are very reasonably priced, making this is a nice cheap family day out in San Diego County.

Looking for more flowers? Read our guide to the best flower fields in California and the best lavender fields in California.

Photography Tips for California Sunflowers

photography tips for sunflowers
  • Sunflower fields in California look their best during golden hour, the hour after sunrise and before sunset. This also means you’ll probably be getting there or leaving in the dark, so plan to bring a flashlight. 
  • If you’re keen on getting a stellar shot, scout out your locations the day before so you can make the most of the light.
  • Sunflowers turn their heads to follow the sun through the sky, until sunset when they turn back to face eastward for sunrise. So if you want to capture a beautiful sky with sunflowers facing you, sunset is the best time of day. 
  • A tripod will help avoid motion blur as the light fades.
  • For a cool close-up shot, catch the sun shining through the petals of a sunflower or choose a wide-angle lens for a panoramic shot of the whole field. 
  • If you can shoot in RAW, do it. You’ll get higher quality and richer photos. 
  • A camera on a newer smartphone can work fine as well for taking sunflower photos; just make sure the battery is charged and take a selfie stick (or bring a friend). The new iPhone, for instance, has the ability to shoot in RAW, also shoots well in low light, and it has a timer feature. 
  • Sunflower fields in California make beautiful backdrops for portraits and are often used as locations for engagement or family photoshoots. So, if you’re looking for the perfect backdrop for an upcoming special occasion photoshoot, a visit to a sunflower field can be ideal. 
  • If you want to be in the photos, plan your outfits ahead of time. Summer dresses accessorized with a sunhat look great. Yellow, orange, and red will complement sunflower fields in California, while a pink, purple, or blue palette will really pop against the backdrop.
  • California sunflower fields are muddy and dusty. Wear old boots and change into shoes for your photo once you’re in the right spot.

Overall Tips for Visiting California Sunflower Fields

overall tips for visiting sunflower farms
  • These sunflower fields in California are on private property, so respect the owners and don’t trespass. If they don’t offer official sunflower visits, contact the landowner and ask permission to take photos. If it’s an unplanned stop, just take pictures from the roadside.
  • Think about booking accommodation so you can stay nearby. It’s fun to make sunflower-seeking a weekend trip and to see some more sights in the area you’re visiting.
  • This is nature, so dress accordingly. Wear closed-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy. Long pants will help avoid blisters from stinging nettles.
  • And on the subject of stings, bees love sunflowers too, so expect to share the field with them.
  • It gets sweltering during sunflower season, so aim to get there early or late in the day (which is also the best time for pictures!). If you’re out in the afternoon, take plenty of water, sunblock, and a hat.

Get your FREE California Travel Planner – including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah McDonald headshot

Sarah McDonald

Sarah McDonald is a travel writer based in the Bay Area. She writes for the national parenting website Red Tricycle and on her own family travel blog, Tiny Trailblazers. She loves exploring California’s outdoors and has a weakness for a national park gift shop.

Sarah enjoys sharing her Bay Area expertise with readers curious to try popular restaurants and off-the-beaten-path adventures in California. When she’s not writing reviews and travel guides, you’ll likely find her trying to keep up with her kids on a hiking trail or deciphering the menu at a new restaurant.


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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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