Spring has sprung early in Half Moon Bay!
February has only just begun, but Half Moon Bay’s famous wild mustard field is already in full bloom! This picturesque meadow down Highway 1 is the first of several gorgeous superblooms that spring up around the Bay Area this time of year. If you’re hoping to visit and snap some colorful pictures, you need only drive about 40 minutes south of San Francisco.
The bright yellow field is located on the side of Highway One, several miles south of the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. There’s no specific address, but following directions to “Wild Mustard Field” on Google Maps will get you there.
The field is located on Iacopi Farms’ private property, so visitors pay an admission fee ($10 for adults and $5 for kids) to support a lovely local farm. There is space for cars to park along the side of the road. Keep in mind that there’s no bathroom, shade, or water – so plan accordingly.
Unlike at other local flower fields, visitors to the mustard field are free to walk among the flowers and even pick them. Iacopi Farms uses the blooms to fertilize the land and plant Italian butter beans in the spring, so the mustard flowers are crushed at the end of their short season to add nutrients to the soil.
This field typically blooms in mid-February, but thanks to some extra rain they’re here early! The blooms only last a few weeks, so make sure to check them out as soon as possible.
If you’re hoping to visit this beautiful wild mustard field in Half Moon Bay, wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy and bring a jacket for the wind. The best time to visit is on weekdays as it’s much less crowded, and the field closes a little before sunset. You can learn more in this blog post from A Passion and a Passport.
So what are you waiting for? Make sure to swing by the wild mustard field in Half Moon Bay sometime in the next week or two to see the blooms at their best. And remember to support Iacopi Farms, which provides delicious produce grown around Half Moon Bay.
Featured image: Yi Tam via Shutterstock