10 Best Places To See California Spring Blooms and Wildflowers
Did you know that California has a spectacular display of colorful spring flowers every year after the winter rains are over? The heavier the rain, the more abundant and colorful the blooms are!
2024 Update: There have been reports of super colorful bursts of spring flowers at Anza Borrego Desert State Park and Carrizo Plain!
During certain years when there are intense bouts of rain, large concentrations of flowers appear and cover large swathes of land - leading to the popular name superbloom.
Every year is different, so you’ll need to watch for bloom forecasts and live reports. When you see that the blooms are starting to peak, you should definitely head out to see them because they don’t last too long.
Here are my top 10 places to see the California blooms, wildflowers, and superblooms:
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Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
When: Mid March - Early May
March 11, 2024 Update: Stay Tuned!
Just 75 miles north of Los Angeles, this large nature reserve’s rolling hills become covered in colorful poppies sometime between March and May. On top of California poppies, there are tons of other wildflowers in bloom during this time.
Since the Poppy Reserve is located in the western Mojave Desert, make sure to be dressed appropriately with possible high temps during the day and cold temps at night.
Where to stay:
Flower Fields Carlsbad
When: March - Early May
Covering over 50 acres, this dazzling display of Giant Ranunculus flowers at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad is one of the most epic shows of color I’ve ever seen!
While it’s a ticketed entry, you really can’t beat a guaranteed backdrop of endless flowers to use for photography or just to be surrounded by all this beauty.
Remember to bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and a stylish outfit!
Where to stay:
Carrizo Plain National Monument
When: Feb to May
March 31, 2024 Update: Lots of yellow flowers everywhere!
Look for a burst of color after a rainy winter at the Carrizo Plain National Monument! You’ll see hillside daisies, goldfields, and blue valley phacelia in masses here.
Since it’s in a pretty remote area, make sure to bring snacks, water, layers, a full tank of gas, and a downloaded Google Map of the area. Also, there’s no trash service in the monument, so make sure to pack out what you bring in.
Where to stay:
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Walker Canyon Lake Elsinore
When: Feb to April
March 11, 2024 Update: Stay Tuned!
Walker Canyon is famous for having epic super blooms, like the one in 2019. It’s especially beautiful inside the Walker Canyon Trail which offers complete poppy coverage all along the valleys.
When the blooms are in peak, I’d recommend getting there early as there will be a crush of cars and people trying to see them.
Note: please stay on the trail and don’t trample the poppies aiming to get the perfect selfie.
Where to stay:
Point Buchon
When: Feb to April
March 11, 2024 Update: Stay Tuned!
A fantastic seaside poppy meadow called Point Buchon is a wild stretch full of poppies in the spring time. There are usually only 275 hikes allowed per day, so plan accordingly during spring blossoms.
You’ll see hillsides covered with bright poppies with the sea as the background.
Where to stay:
You can also stay in the adorable town of Solvang.
Death Valley National Park
When: February to July
Despite the intense heat of summer and the name ‘Death Valley’, at times there are super blooms of intensely colored wildflowers in the spring after big winter rains. The best chance of this happening is mid February through July as it sweeps from lower elevations to high elevations. The spring is also a great time to visit since temperatures range in the 60-70’s.
Where to stay:
Figueroa Mountain
When: Feb to late April
March 11, 2024 Update: Stay Tuned!
Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, there are sometimes fantastic super bloom displays at the Figueroa Mountain road just past the Neverland Ranch.
To get there, just keep driving past the cattle guard until you see a dirt road turn out with a red hiking sign that says Midland School Trails. This is the start of the beautiful wildflower trail.
You’ll find wild hyacinth, shooting stars, buttercups, milkmaids, Johnny-jump-ups, chocolate lilies, scarlet Indian paintbrush, goldfields, purple fiesta flowers, popcorn flowers, and poppies there.
San Luis Obispo is one of the closest major cities here and there’s plenty to see and do after you’re done exploring the wildflowers.
Where to stay:
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
When: Feb to April
March 11, 2024: Reports of lots of colorful spring blooms!
Just 85 miles outside of San Diego, this sprawling state park is home to one of the best spring blooms in California. Being that it’s a desert just adds to the crazy contrast between the colorful poppies and desert environment.
Just remember, this is the second largest state park in the USA so be prepared with water, food, full tank of gas, a map, and sunscreen.
Where to stay:
Gorman Hills Flower Fields
When: Feb to late April
A bit of a secret and not too far from the much hyped Antelope Valley poppy fields, the Gorman Hills Flower Fields offer an explosion of color after rainy winters.
Where to stay:
Eastern Sierras
When: March to September
The spring blooms of the Eastern Sierra are especially beautiful due to the wide open land and big variety of flowers that appear. There’s also a big window when they can appear, depending on the weather conditions. The flowers start bloom in spring and can all the way into September in the higher elevations.
Lake Tahoe
When: April to July
After the snow melts in Lake Tahoe, the whole area has a vibrant display of wild flowers ranging from Mariposa lily, yellow plantain buttercup, blue lupine, bright-red snow plant, orange paintbrush, and lacy pussypaws.
Some great hikes for wildflowers are the Lake Winnemucca hike, Miracle Mile, and Mount Rose Wildnerness.
Where to stay:
Joshua Tree
When: March - May
March 11, 2024 Update: Stay Tuned!
If you’ve ever wanted to see the interesting cacti blooms, Joshua Tree is a great place to see these interesting flowers. Then tend to bloom between March through May starting in the lower elevations and then spreading to the higher places later. There are blooms all the way to June in the high elevations.
Where to stay: