Wildflower super bloom likely in California: here’s where to see it
California has been treated with another winter of wet weather and if early spring conditions continue this way the Golden State may see back-to-back super blooms.
A super bloom is when wildflowers bloom across the state at around the same time and in large quantities.
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California State Parks managers in the southern part of the state are predicting that Spring 2024 is shaping up to be another stunning super bloom.
According to Visit California, desert blooms have been ongoing since late December after a significant amount of late-summer and autumn rainfall.
From the sandy deserts of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the dormant volcanic fields of Lassen National Park, California offers a vast canvas for vibrant and brilliant blooms.
Don’t doom the super bloom
As beautiful as these blooms are and as tempting as it might be to trample through them to take photos, parks officials advise people to respect the vegetation.
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Make sure to stay on designated trails, do not pick flowers, leave dogs on leashes, and make sure to leave with everything that you bring, including trash, and don’t ruin the bloom for the next visitors.
Northern California
North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
In Northern California, one of the most iconic and well-known places to see wildflowers and even some waterfalls is the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve near Oroville.
Located about 75 miles north of Sacramento, North Table Mountain offers some of the best wildflower vistas as you look out over the Sacramento Valley.
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The preserve also features several stunning waterfalls, seasonal streams, vernal pools, lava outcrops and grazing cows.
According to the California Native Plant Society, North Table Mountain is the best place to see lupines, purple owl’s clover and rare, endemic yellow-flowered Jokerst’s clover.
South Yuba River State Park
A lesser-known location for wildflowers is the South Yuba River State Park, about 15 miles from Grass Valley and 67 miles north of Sacramento.
The park is home to the Bridgeport Covered Bridge, the longest single-span covered wooden bridge in the world, and the historic community of Bridgeport.
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For those wanting a little more information about what flowers they are looking at, the state park offers wildflower walks on the Buttermilk Trail at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Mother’s Day.
A portion of Buttermilk Trail has been closed at the junction of the upper and lower sections of the trail due to unstable conditions due to a recent washout.
Visitors could see poppies, lupines, larkspur, fiddlenecks, popcorn flowers and more, according to the park’s website.
Jepson Prairie Preserve
Located about 35 miles west of Sacramento, near Dixon, the Jepson Prairie Preserve spans more than 1,500 acres of prairie land overseen by the Solano Land Trust.
During the spring, wildflowers cover the prairie lands and line the numerous vernal pools across the property.
From 10 a.m. to noon on each Saturday and Sunday until May 14, preserve docents will be giving wildflower tours and critter walks of areas only accessible with a volunteer docent.
On top of seeing vibrant wildflowers, the California Native Plant Society says that Jepson Prairie is the best place to see what California’s Central Valley looked like before development in the introduction of agriculture.
Hidden Falls Regional Park
Located in rural Auburn about 39 miles from Sacramento, Hidden Falls Regional Park has some of the best California poppy displays in the Sacramento region.
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Taking any of the park’s numerous trails will reward visitors with views of the state flower and many other native wildflowers.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Along the rocky coasts of Northern California, Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the top tourist destinations in the region and its vibrant wildflowers blooms only add another layer of beauty.
According to the park’s website, flower followers will find dozens of species of wildflowers throughout the coastline including; water parsley, cobweb thistle, common sandaster, California rhododendron, Iris’ and more.
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Other Northern California wildflower locations:
• Mount Tamalpais State Park
• China Camp State Park
• Trione-Annadal State Park
• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
• Mount Diablo State Park
• Half Moon Bay
Southern California
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Located two hours northeast of San Diego and nearly three hours southeast of Los Angeles, the desert park is most well known for its incredible and vibrant blooms.
California State Parks said that blooms have begun to arrive in the “heart of Borrego Springs” to the lower portions of Coyote Canyon. Blooms have also been spotted near Highway S2 southeast.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for those traveling south along Highway S2 or any unpaved trail in the park.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Offering a slightly less technical and adventurous location to see the hidden treasures of the desert, Antelope Valley has eight miles of trails that guide visitors through the rolling hills of the park.
The best time to see blooms is from mid-February through May with a large variety of colorful flowers.
Currently, the park is experiencing sporadic solo poppy blooms with the majority of flowers to blooms from mid-March to May.
Guests can expect to see poppies, fiddleneck, and red stem filaree.
Chino Hills State Park
With large blooms of Canterbury and School Bells, Arroyo Lupine, Black Mustard, Wild Radish and California Poppies Chino Hills is a great spot to peek some of the super bloom.
According to recent reports, the best viewing area is along Bane Canyon Road. Those looking to get a closer view can hike on Bane Ridge Trail.
Tule Elk State Natural Preserve
If there is someone in the group who isn’t interested in flowers but loves wildlife, Tule Elk State Natural Preserve is home to a herd of once-endangered tule elk.
Those coming for the flowers though will be in for a treat as large patches of goldfields and filaree have begun to bloom.
Even though spring is not the peak viewing season for the elk, there is a chance to see them during their antler growing season.
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