Omni La Costa Petal to Plate Specials

Checking into the Omni La Costa Spa, I met a friend for a Petal to Plate lunch at the Spa Cafe before my scheduled facial. The Petal to Plate Spa Day lunch menu offers healthy and light fare for guests to enjoy before and after their treatments. They also make signature Spa Bellinis and flavorful cocktails that includes a blood orange infused margarita to help one relax, unwind and enjoy their spa moment.

While receiving a Rose and Neroli facial at the Omni La Costa Spa Day, my aesthetician applied all-natural skin care oils and products to reduce inflammation and the appearance of fine lines. She has been working at the resort’s Spa for almost 20 years and told me how in 1963, La Costa founder Merv Adelson dreamed of building a resort in Carlsbad, just two hours from Hollywood, for stars to receive a “glimmer of luxury” from their hectic movie studio life.

Architect Edward H. Pickett was selected to design a Spanish style clubhouse, and by 1965, 40 Spanish Colonial rooms were built. The getaway included a 72-par golf course, designed by renowned architect Dick Wilson. Professional golfers Sam Snead, Ray Floyd, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Nichols, and Jack Nicklaus gave their approval. Celebrities Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bob Hope played on the greens. There were tennis courts that attracted famed Pancho Segura as the resident pro and a swimming pool was built.

Then a Spa led by Dr. R. Phillip Smith, a professor of medicine was built. It became the first spa in the country to earn an endorsement from the American Medical Association. In 2003, La Costa designed a 28,000 square foot spa with over 40 treatment rooms, fragrant gardens, pools and courtyards. Later a partnerships was forged with Deepak Chopra and The Chopra Center, separate from the La Costa Spa to continue promoting wellness opportunities for the resort’s clientele.

Today the resort offers 17 tennis courts, two 18 hole golf courses and an expansive Athletic Club. There are over 600 guest rooms, suites and villas offering spacious sitting area, a queen-size sofa bed, large television, coffee center and luxury king bed. The marble bathrooms feature a separate shower and oversized soaking tub. Robes and slippers are provided in the closet with a safe. There is either a patio or balcony looking out to gardens, pools or the golf course.

There are 8 pools including a family beach pool and a kid’s pool with waterslides and water play areas strategically built around the resort. The EDGE adult pool and terrace offers 180 degree views of the golf course with multiple infinity pools and whirlpools. Guests can sit next to the glow of fire pits and lit fountains at sunset or retreat into a private and plush cabana for shade and relaxation.

Omni La Costa is an ideal home base, while exploring Carlsbad’s rainbow colored ranunculus in The Flower Fields from March to May.

Once a year from March to mid April a rainbow colored sloping hill between LEGOLAND and the Pacific Ocean becomes ablaze with vibrant colorful ranunculus. Hundreds of visitors stop to take a tour of the fields above Armstrong Garden Center to appreciate the beautiful ranunculus flowers planted in the rich soil.

Another beautiful sight along the side of the field, near a overflow parking lot, is an large planted area of red, white and blue petunias shaped as the American flag, however ranunculus are the stars of the farm.

Other plants including colorful and fragrant sweet peas planted in an interactive maze, a display of poinsettias, and a large greenhouse showcasing cymbidium orchids. Flowers and bulbs are harvested and packaged to sell at the onsite Armstrongs Garden Store for the public to plant and take home.

Guests visiting the Flower Fields can ride in an antique tractor driven wagon to view and learn about the beauty of the fields. The 15-minute scenic ride includes an audio commentary of the history of this one-of-a-kind farm.

Spring in Carlsbad is the optimal time to see the Flower Fields, however any time of year is ideal to visit this So Cal beach town filled with unique shops, activities and dining opportunities.