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I have been mentioning that we have been experiencing unusual amounts of rain since the beginning of the year. Because of this, there have been reports in many areas of a beautiful superbloom this year. Below are the best places to see California’s wildflower superbloom.
I know many of you do not live here, but thought since you love flowers, you would love to know where to visit if you ever end up in Southern California this time of year.
These places are more inland, but definitely worth the drive. I have even seen patches of wildflowers in bursts of color on the sides of roads and the freeways all over Orange County, so you don’t have to go far to experience our beautiful wildflower superbloom.
All the pictures on this post are my own or my husband’s at Walker Canyon. All pictures and videos were taken with our new Galaxy S10e phones. These phones have the best cameras, in my opinion!
Me and my husband ventured out to see some of these superbloom areas ourselves this weekend, and we were not disappointed. Here are the best places to see California’s Wildflower Superbloom. I hope you can experience at least one of these someday!
Walker Canyon
Near Lake Elsinore is Walker Canyon, which has exploded with poppies. Walker Canyon is located off of Interstate 15, a little ways outside of Los Angeles. The beautiful golden poppies are the state flower, which make them illegal to pick and take home.
Enjoy taking pictures and posing with the many golden poppies along the hills of Walker Canyon, as well as other wildflowers blooming here.
Vince and I braved the traffic and crowds to check out the wildflower superbloom at Walker Canyon. Despite the traffic, we were able to enjoy orange hills bursting with poppies along the way.
The beginning of the trail was packed with people, but the further we winded along the hills, less people were around so that we were able to enjoy the scenery more.
Around one wind there was a hill splashed with purple wildflowers that I have no name for. Other yellow wildflowers in white and yellow were also blooming among the poppies.
Walker Canyon was said to have some of the best displays of poppies and I definitely agree! The pictures don’t do it justice though.
Antelope Valley
Antelope Valley California Poppy State Reserve is located just west of Lancaster. There are specific parts of the trail that are blooming with golden poppies. 2.5 mile South and North Lopp has the best views of the poppies.
You can also view more wildflowers from Techachopi Vista Point. Visit the website to get updates on the best days to view the superbloom here.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego State Park is a scenic place to go for the wildflower superbloom. Many colorful flowers can be seen at Coyote Creek right now. This also happens to be California’s largest state park, with many places to view the wildflower superbloom.
Yellow poppies, purple sand verbena, yellow desert dandelions, lupine, desert lillies, brown-eyed primrose, and desert sunflowers can all be seen here. Different parts of the park have one type and a combination of flowers to see at a time.
Check out the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for more information about the best times to view the wildflowers.
Point Mogu State Park
Point Mogu State Park is located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Poppies, lupine, and mariposa lillies can be seen from the lower parts of the Chumash Trail. In higher areas are blue glob gilia and chocolate lillies.
Joshua Tree National Park
Yellow dandelions, purple lupines, and golden poppies cover Joshua Tree National Park. The park is located about two hours from Los Angeles off highway 10. Wildflowers can best be seen from the Bajada Nature Trail.
Poppies, bladder pod, lupine, brittle bush and creosote can be seen from the Southern part of the park.
Diamond Valley Lake
Diamond Valley Lake is located southwest of the Riverside County reserve. This is about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. Golden poppies are blooming and are expected to be at their height of bloom halfway through March.
What to Bring
Most of these areas require an entrance fee (Walker Canyon did not), so make sure to bring some cash with you. The weather is finally getting warmer here, so take some sunblock since you will be outdoors for several hours.
Bring a hat, sunglasses, water, and some snacks in a backpack to use when you need them. Don’t forget your camera as well! Be prepared for traffic and crowds, since these areas are popular places to view the wildflower superbloom from.
Last, but certainly not least, enjoy seeing this natural phenomena that only comes around once every 10 years here!
Have you seen the wildflower superbloom in Southern California before? Which place had the best views? Let me know all about your experiences and thoughts in the comments section below!
Audrey says
Hey, we must be practically neighbors (I am just south of Lake Elsinore in Murrieta).
Walker Canyon was closed last weekend! It became a nightmare for residents with the city having to force road closures and trying to shuttle people (for a fee) to reduce traffic. People were parking on the freeway and letting their kids play on the side of the road. Others that made it to Walker Canyon were walking off trail trampling the flowers and leaving trash. Sigh.
Before visiting, check Lake Elsinore’s website to see if it will be open and if it is, what restrictions there are.
Ann says
Hi Audrey! I live in Huntington Beach. We visited the area to see all those gorgeous poppies! I heard that they closed the area and weren’t sure if they would open this week or weekend due to all the traffic and people. That’s too bad that so many people were abusing this opportunity instead of appreciating the natural phenomena nature provided us for the time being. Yes, it’s a great idea to check the website for updates and what is and is not allowed.
Mashibaby says
It’s such beautiful photos! Love the flowers!
Ann says
Thank you! It was incredible to walk around so much beauty! The flowers were gorgeous in person!
Natalie says
Sooo, Amazing! We happened to be there and all the sudden the hills were orange. I had seen the flowers popping up along the coast walk ways, but I had no idea they were covering the hills.
It was an amazing drive. I didn’t know it happened every 10 years for just a few weeks. I’m so happy we were there!
Natalie
ThisHomemadeHome.com
Ann says
Wasn’t it amazing! I’m so glad you were able to experience it in person! I see them in patches this time of year, but never like this!
Alice V-DIYerfy says
Oh this looks amazing and I can’t wait to check out one of these sites, two are nearby me! Thanks for sharing with us at #OMHGWW!
Ann says
It was awesome to walk on the trail being surrounded by so many beautiful poppies! Let me know how your experience goes. Thanks for stopping by!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Ann, your photos are gorgeous! Wish I could visit the superbloom sites, must be amazing in person! #HappinessIsHomemade
Ann says
Thank you! It was absolutely wonderful to see in person! They are definitely worth checking out if you happen to be close to one. Thank you for visiting!