The best place to see California wildflowers this spring.
California is often thought to be a reference to the 49ers' western hotspot. But some believe the "Golden State" actually refers to California's beautiful poppy, the yellow-orange flowers that bloom each spring from Arcata in the north to San Diego in the south.
Peak wildflower season in any area of California may vary from year to year depending on factors such as precipitation, elevation, and temperature. That's why it's worth doing some research to find the latest news and predictions. In the past, rainy years brought beautiful flowers in 2017, 2019 and 2023.
However, some parts of the state that did not receive enough rainfall last year (but received a lot of rainfall this year) are preparing for spring. Whether in bloom or not, spring wildflowers are always a joy to watch.
Here are the best places to see wildflowers in California:
Antelope Valley California Poppy Refuge
Peak season: mid-March to April/May
At this nearly 1,800-acre preserve 75 miles north of Los Angeles, rolling hills covered in poppies seem to last forever. Since a spectacular event happened in 2023, another one may not happen this year. But Antelope Canyon remains the most accessible place to see wildflowers in the Los Angeles area, and the blooms are guaranteed to be spectacular. Poppies are the stars here, but desert pincushions, blue dicks, California aster, and blue lupine, among other flowers, also grow in the park.
Joshua Tree National Park
Peak season: January to mid-April
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the state's most popular parks and is about a 3.5-hour drive from Los Angeles. Here visitors can experience one of the country's most unique and colorful floral displays, featuring desert plants such as cacti, primroses, Mojave aster, and desert color brush. The park is busy between March and April when the flowers are in bloom. But flowers at higher altitudes don't usually appear until June, so you may want to plan your trip later in the year.
Channel Islands National Park
Peak season: mid-February to mid-May
Channel Islands National Park consists of five islands 25 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara and features a variety of flowers. On Anacapa, Santa Barbara and San Miguel Islands, yellow coreopsis begins blooming in January and usually lasts until March. This rare, buttery-yellow, soft-leaved Indian dye is native to the Channel Islands, but is now generally found only on Santa Rosa Island. San Miguel is also home to lupines and poppies, while Anacapa has bright red colors and morning island. Santa Barbara Island is still blooming with lavender dandelions and pale buttercups. Southern California has seen record rainfall this year, so the Channel Islands can be seen very quickly.
Do Check our : Best place to visit in the US in March.
Figueroa Mountain Park
Peak season: mid-March to mid-May
In late March, Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area (about 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara) and the surrounding landscape begin to bloom with wild hyacinths, shooting stars, buttercups, milkmaids, Johnny Jumpers, chocolate lilies, scarlet Indian paintbrush, Gold Field . . , pink flowers, pink flowers and pink flowers.
Pinnacles National Park
Peak season: mid-March to April/May
Located about an hour southeast of Monterey, this national park typically begins seeing wildflowers in March and peaks in May, when more than three-quarters of the plain's flowers are in bloom. Depending on rainfall and temperature, the first to appear are Milkmaid, Shooting Star, and Native American Warrior, followed by California Poppy, Bush Poppy, Holiday Flower, Red Flower, Pale Blue Eye, and Bush Lupine, and finally the heat-lovers. Clarkie Asian flowers, orchids, penstemon and roses.
Mount Diablo State Park
Peak season: mid-March to April/May
The state park around the 3,849-foot peak, about 40 miles east of San Francisco, usually begins to erupt in March. Here visitors can see blue skullcap, Fendler's meadow rue, sonniculas, Johnny's hop lupine, bush lupine, scarlet flower, daylily, California poppy, bird's eye flower, and wallflower.
North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
Peak season: mid-March to April/May
North Table Mountain Ecological Preserve is located on 3,200 acres of open savanna near Oroville. It's a favorite spot for flower lovers, at its peak from March to mid-May, when visitors can walk among lupines, foothills clovers, primroses, blue dicks, purple owl clovers and, of course, poppies.
Lake Tahoe
Peak season: late April to June/July
When the snow melts in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, the valleys and hillsides come alive with color, from white phlox and butterfly lilies to yellow banana buttercups, blue lupines, and bright reds. Snowflake plant, orange paint and lace cat paw.
East Mountain
Peak season: late May to June/July
Northern California spring blooms begin in late May around Mono County and generally last through June and July. Places like Tioga Pass, Bridgeport Valley, and Parker's Bench in Yosemite are all home to various color wheel. Keep your eyes peeled for orange tiger lilies, yellow mule ears, golden mustards, red gills, blue lupines, purple wild iris, pink desert peaches and more.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Peak season: late May to June/July Snowmelt time on Mount
Lassen varies from year to year depending on the temperature and size of the snowpack, but some snow and ice may remain in the summer, resulting in background blooms. At lower altitudes, it generally does not bloom until May through early July, while at higher altitudes, flowers appear in August and September. Look for mountain mule ears, cat's paws, snow grasses, western wallflowers, corn lilies and lupines.
