California explodes into color from late February through to mid-May as wildflowers develop and bloom across the state. You might have seen a barrage of stunning flower field photographs plastered all over social media, but do you know the best places to see Southern California wildflowers blooming?
This guide covers all the questions you might have, including information on every Southern California wildflower chaser’s favorite word – the super bloom, and where to find these floral wonderlands.
If you’re looking for Northern California wildflowers though, we’ve also got a guide to more than 30 spots to see them in spring and even into the summer months.
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Southern California Wildflowers FAQ
Before we jump into the nitty gritty details of where to find wildflowers in Southern California, let’s start by answering some common questions.
You’re more likely to find the huge swathes of Southern California wildflowers in desert and mountain areas. Especially during a super bloom (more on that later).
Of course there is a lot of debate about where Northern California ends and where Southern California begins, so for the sake of this post, I’m claiming everything south of San Luis Obispo as Southern California. But I’m still including Death Valley in this list, because I am contrary like that.
The Desert Lily is just one of many gorgeous Southern California wildflowers. Picture: Courtesy of California State Parks, 2021.
You can find specific information further into this post, but if you’re just looking for a quick list, here are the most common Southern California wildflower blooming spots:
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Carlsbad Ranch Flower Fields
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Channel Islands National Park
Chino Hills State Park
Death Valley National Park
Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area
Gorman Hills Flower Fields
Idyllwild Nature Center
Joshua Tree National Park
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Mojave National Preserve
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
Palos Verdes Peninsula
Point Buchon
Point Dume
Point Mugu State Park
Shell Creek Road Meadows
Walker Canyon
What wildflowers grow in Southern California?
The best place to see California poppies in all their glory is Antelope Canyon California Poppy Reserve.
Depending on the area you visit, you’re likely to find different species of wildflowers that have adapted to the environmental conditions.
In desert and mountain areas you’re more likely to stumble across the large white petals of the dune evening primrose, the bright yellow blooming desert dandelions, the star-shaped desert lily, and the tiny purple clusters that make up the sand verbena. You’ll also find flowering cacti and Joshua trees.
Closer to Los Angeles, and in the surrounding forests, you’ll find the bright orange California poppy, the tall purple stalks of lupine, dainty yellow monkey flowers, and the soft purple mariposa lily. You may also see the tiny clusters of California buckwheat, bush sunflowers, and the bright red Indian paintbrush.
When do wildflowers bloom in Southern California?
It really all depends on the weather. You need a combination of a good winter soaking of rain and some spring sunshine to get wildflowers blooming.
But broadly speaking, wildflowers begin to bloom in Southern California’s lower elevations in mid to late February and continue to show their colors until May and sometimes June at higher elevations.
What is a super bloom?
A super bloom occurs when an unusually large number of wildflowers bloom at the same time, usually in desert areas. Super blooms create a carpet of colorful flowers stretched out for miles, which is why they are so popular with photographers and nature aficionados. And people who like pretty things. Basically, everyone loves a super bloom.
They only occur when there has been a lot of rain in the desert through December, January, and February. There is usually a 10 to 15 year gap between super bloom phenomena, however, the last two Southern Californian super blooms occurred two years apart, in 2017 and 2019.
Will there be a super bloom in 2021?
A super bloom looks a little something like this. Picture:Steve Harvey.
It’s still too early to say for certain, but it doesn’t look there will be another super bloom event in 2021, especially after 2019’s stunning event.
But that doesn’t mean you should give up on finding wildflowers in Southern California. There will still be lots of gorgeous blooms to find, but they won’t be as tightly packed as some of the photos you may have seen in previous years.
What is some wildflower viewing etiquette?
It’s very important that whether you find a field, cluster, or a tiny patch of wildflowers in Southern California, that you respect the area they are blooming in.
Never pick the flowers
Watch where you’re walking! Don’t trample the flowers
Further to the above, don’t leave the trail. You’ll just ensure flowers don’t grow in those trampled spots in future
Take your rubbish home with you
Don’t hog the best spots. Take some photos and leave space for others to do the same
Don’t just point your camera at the flowers and move on. Take some time to crouch down and smell them too
Best places to see Southern California wildflowers blooming
These are the best spots to see Southern California wildflowers blooming across the region this year. But since it’s such a huge area that even though we’ve included as many as possible, we may have missed a few locations. Let us know if your favorite spot isn’t mentioned!
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Written by McKenna Hurd from One More Step Travels.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is a well known Southern California wildflower destination. Picture:Christian Mikhael.
California’s state flower, the California poppy, can be found in beautiful abundance at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. This region, about 1.5 hours northeast of Los Angeles and just outside Lancaster, California, contains thousands of orange poppies that cover gently rolling fields during late winter and early spring.
There’s nothing quite like the sights and smells of the orange poppy field. This spot has become a favorite and not just for locals – people from all over the state come to enjoy the natural beauty of their state flower.
Although these poppies are carefully protected, they are still wildflowers, growing naturally and without much human interference. When visiting, respect the beauty of the flowers struggling to grow in the windy, hot desert.
Some tips for visiting:
Do NOT pick the flowers. It is against state law to pick California poppies that are planted or grown on public lands.
Stay on the trail. There are many hiking trails within the reserve, so it is possible to snap gorgeous photos of the poppies at different angles if you explore several areas along the path.
Don’t bring your dog or drone. Neither are allowed in the state natural reserve.
Prepare to pay a parking fee of $10 per vehicle.
When visiting the California Poppy Reserve, keep your eyes open for wildlife, too! Snakes (including rattlesnakes), gophers, and lizards have often been seen in the preserve. A visit here is a wonderful, easily accessible wildflower haven that any nature lover can enjoy.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Written by Kay from The Awkward Traveller.
A field of desert dandelions & wild Canterbury bells in Anza Borrego State Park during the rare super bloom event.
Anza-Borrego State Park, just 2.5 hours southeast of Los Angeles, is a maze of boulders and canyons in California’s vast southern desert. It is also, coincidentally, one of the best places to see wildflowers in California.
Landscape wise, Anza-Borrego State Park is a vague mix of Badlands and Joshua Tree National Park, on a smaller more digestible scale. During the early spring months, its desert scenery transforms into a wildflower haven, stretching from the campsite area all the way to its canyons.
You could pick any hike to get a good look at the flowers, though if you are short on time, Split Mountain trail is one of the shorter hikes that leads to a slot canyon. Or, if you would like a more leisurely experience, head towards Coyote Canyon which has plenty of flat ground for a picnic amongst the flowers.
You can also head just outside of the park to check out the iron pop art installations by artist Ricardo Breceda, which really come alive whilst surrounded by the spring blooms. The installations are reminiscent of the biennial art festival “Desert X” that overtakes the valley every other year.
Whether you spend the whole day or just come for the afternoon, be sure to catch golden hour at Borrego Palm Canyon, which leads to an oasis of palms, wildlife, and of course, wildflowers.
Carlsbad Ranch Flower Fields
You can see why I had to include The Flower Fields in this round up – they’re mesmerizing.
You’re absolutely right, the Carlsbad Flower Fields are definitely not filled with wildflowers. But I’m 99 per cent sure that you’re just here to find beautiful flowers, and you’re not too fussy what form they come in.
The Flower Fields are just 30 minutes drive north of San Diego, or an hour and a half south of Los Angeles. Visit from March 1 through to May 9 to see more than 50 acres of blooming giant tecolote ranunculus flowers in every color you could ever want.
The best time to visit The Flower Fields in Carlsbad is usually from mid-March to mid-April but it all depends on the weather. You can walk alongside the rows of flowers or take a tractor wagon ride around the fields. There are picnic tables available and you’re encouraged to bring your own food or support one of the local restaurants nearby.
The Carlsbad Ranch Flower Fields are open from March 1 to May 9, 2021 between 9am-6pm daily. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 60+ and $10 for children aged 3-10.
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Written by Dhara from Roadtripping California.
If you’ve ever wanted to be surrounded by acres of yellow wildflowers, Carrizo Plain National Monument is the place to be! Picture: Dhara, Roadtripping California.
Carrizo Plain National Monument is all that’s left of the huge grasslands that once covered California’s Central Valley. It is not a place most visitors to California think about visiting, but the exception is during spring wildflower bloom.
Especially in a good year, the wildflower bloom at Carrizo Plain is simply spectacular. Hillsides and meadows are clothed in bright yellow, orange, and purple, as hundreds of thousands of flowers bloom at its peak. Larkspur, phacelia, and daisy are some of the common bloom varieties you will see here. From the main road that runs through the monument, you can see flowers as far as the eye can see: it is a magical sight.
The peak bloom generally occurs in early to mid April, but you will see blooms starting at the end of March and until the end of April. Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds, and for better light for photos. Stay on roads or pathways to avoid trampling the flowers.
Carrizo Plain National Monument is located about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It is also easily accessed from San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles. There are no services at the monument, and only one of the roads is partially paved. Roads are not passable after it rains, and it is best to arrive in a high-clearance 4WD.
Channel Islands National Park
Head to East Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park to see wildflowers. Picture:Priya Karkare.
Even though Channel Islands National Park is one of the most difficult to get to, it includes a huge variety of plants and wildflowers – up to 800 different plant species, in fact. Visit from late January to March to find carpets of yellow coreopsis flowers, also known as the less appealing sounding tickseed.
If you want to get the most wildflower viewing out of your trip to the islands off the coast of California, you should focus your time on the Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and San Miguel Islands. But be warned, there are no services on the islands, so you’ll need to pack in everything you’ll need and remember to take it all back out with you again.
Spend a day on Anacapa Island or camp overnight (you’ll need to bring your own food and water) to see coreopsis and the tree sunflower. If you visit later in the season and into the summer months you’ll be able to see gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena blooming as well.
If you’re willing to endure a four hour boat ride in strong winds to San Miguel Island, you’ll be rewarded with head-high flowers like coreopsis, and you’ll also find the rare red buckwheat, and the sticky sand verbana. While you’re there, you
Death Valley National Park
As the name suggests, Death Valley National Park can get very hot, so visit in mid-February and March to see the wildflowers.
If Death Valley National Park is lucky enough to get some rain during the winter months, you’ll see wildflowers blooming there from February to May. Of course the lower the elevation, the warmer the temperatures during the cooler months, so wildflowers will start blooming on the valley floor first.
Head to Jubilee Pass and the bottom of Daylight Pass for desert star, poppies, verbena, evening primrose and blazing star from mid-February to mid-April.
If you weren’t organized enough to get out so early, there’s still plenty to see in April and early May in the Panamint Mountains. You’ll find paintbrush, Mojave desert rue, lupine, and Panamint daisies at that time of year.
After April you’ll need to go to the High Panamints for Mojave wildrose, rabbitbrush, mariposa lilies and rabbitbrush, up until early June. Plan your visit to Death Valley National Park by checking the road and weather conditions in the park before you leave home.
The park is open 24 hours, year round. You’ll pay an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per bicycle. All entrance fees are good for 7-days after purchase.
Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area
You can’t beat Figueroa Mountain for beautiful views and a mountainside covered in lupine and California poppies.
Just north of Santa Barbara, you’ll find Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area, nestled inside Los Padres National Park. While the photo above shows a stunning carpet of California poppies, intermixed with some lupine for good measure, you’ll actually find a plethora of different wildflowers at Figueroa Mountain.
Depending on the amount of rain the area receives during the colder months, you can start seeing wildflowers pop up in the Recreation Area as early as February, and the season can last into late April. You can drive to the Figueroa Mountain Lookout for beautiful views of San Rafael Wilderness and the Santa Ynez Valley.
In late March you’ll see purple shooting stars and later in the spring season chocolate lilies and Indian paintbrush will appear, as well as sky lupin, pitcher sage, and goldfields.
The Figueroa Mountain recreation area is thirty minutes north of Los Olivos, on Figueroa Mountain Road or Happy Canyon Road.
Joshua Tree National Park
The desert Indian paintbrush within Joshua Tree National Park. Picture:Jim Strasma.
Joshua Tree National Park is on this list because of the variety of wild flowers you’ll see in the stunning desert landscape, if you’re lucky.
Whether wildflowers bloom in this famous national park depends solely on the amount of rain it gets during the winter months.
Ocotillo
California Bluebell
Parry’s Nolina
When it gets enough rain you’ll be treated to an array of gorgeous colors starting in late February at the lower elevations, and the flowers will progressively spread up to higher elevations over the next few weeks if they are coaxed by warm temperatures.
The season typically lasts through March and into April, and you may still see wild flowers in June if you’re happy to climb above 5000 feet.
Across the park you’ll see the trumpet-shaped datura, find Mojave aster in rocky hillsides, stunning blue Canterbury bells, and the brilliant reds of the desert Indian paintbrush, amongst many others.
Mojave National Preserve
The beaver-tail cactus blooming in Mojave National Preserve.
Much like in Joshua Tree National Park to the south, Mojave wildflowers are also very dependent on winter rainfall and spring sunshine to thrive. So they aren’t guaranteed to bloom in a spectacular fashion every single year.
Wildflowers begin to bloom in March at lower elevations, but the peak season is April when yuccas, Joshua trees, and cacti bloom across most elevations.
Mojave National Preserve is open 24 hours a day and does not charge an entrance fee. However, visitors centers are temporarily closed.
Don’t forget to bring enough water to last you during your time in the park, and avoid doing anything too strenuous during peak heat times.
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
Ocotillo Wells SVRA is a slightly surprising place to find wildflowers in Southern California. Picture: Courtesy of California State Parks, 2021.
You might not expect to find wildflowers blooming in an 85,000 acre area set aside for off-road exploration, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.
I guess it’s not so surprising, given that part of the recreation area borders on one of the most famous Southern California wildflower locations – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
The above flower field is situated northwest of Devil’s Slide, which is a 200 foot high granite and sand island that presents a challenge that not all off-roaders are worthy of. The field is affectionately referred to as the Three Sister’s flower field.
The dune evening primrose at Ocotillo SVRA. Picture: Courtesy of California State Parks, 2021.
You will need an off-road worthy vehicle to get to the Three Sister’s flower field, but don’t worry if you have a less robust vehicle.
You can still head to the Discovery Center and take advantage of a walkway to another spectacular flower field. This walkway meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations for wheelchair accessibility.
Ocotillo Wells SVRA is open 24 hours a day and does not require an entrance fee to visit. Camping is free within the recreation area.
Point Buchon
While the Point Buchon Trail is known for California poppy meadows, it’s also home to numerous other types of wildflowers.
You’ll have to take a bit of a walk out to Point Buchon. The trailhead is close to San Luis Obispo – about 30 minute’s drive from the city into Montaña de Oro State Park.
Point Buchon Trail starts on Pecho Valley Road in Los Osos and traverses the grassy bluffs that overlook some beautifully rocky coastline. It’s the perfect spot for wildflower gazing during the spring time. You can stick to the 1.3 mile loop that takes you out to Point Buchon, or continue on to walk the entire 3.4 miles along the cliffs.
The land is owned by Pacific Gas & Electric, but allows hikers on the trails between 8am and 4pm from Thursday to Monday. You’ll have to sign a waiver at the check-in station that absolves PG&E of any responsibility for injuries. See here for more information. Keep an eye out for sink holes along the trail and stay away from the cliff’s edge. Now that I’ve scared you, let’s talk about the wildflowers.
The area around Point Buchon is one of the best California poppy meadows you’ll see for free. Visit from late February through April to witness the golden carpet created by the poppies, and the pops of color from other types of wildflowers.
Walker Canyon
The hills that surround Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore are covered in poppies during a super bloom.
Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore surround you with California poppies and other wildflowers that rise up with the hills.
The area explodes with color during a super bloom, making it a must-see wildflower destination in Southern California when conditions are just right.
Apart from the ubiquitous California poppy, you’ll also find bluedick, yellow monolopia, Coulter’s matilija poppy, and the San Bernadino spineflower in Walker Canyon.
Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water as you traverse the trails at Walker Canyon, because there isn’t much shade to be found. Blooming season generally runs from late February to April, but depends on the weather.
Southern California Wildflowers Map
Not sure which direction to head to see wildflowers in Southern California? Here’s a handy map to help you visualize where everything is!
**Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links you don’t pay a cent more, but I receive a small commission, that is put towards the running of this blog.
Wow there are so many beautiful places in Southern California! We are hoping to get over to the US later this year or next and would love to explore more of Cali!
Bookmarked for future travels!
It is my goal to see more flowers this spring/summer. The wildflowers in California are absolutely breathtaking and I love how they are also in a lot of State and National Parks. 🙂
Oh wow, so many beautiful places. I kind of really love the picture of the cactus in Mojave. What a unique place. The wildflowers are all amazing but sometimes these different ones are the most interesting
Is it already this time of the year again? I cannot wait… 🙂 Wildflowers blooming in California means we can start planning trips up here in Oregon for the next 2-3 weeks, too.
Oh wow! I didn’t know about so many amazing places where to see wildflowers. Such an interesting read. Can’t wait to travel again and start planning my road trip in California.
Stefan (BerkeleySqB)
on February 6, 2021 at 9:33 am
Great post, Kat. Can’t believe I’ve stayed in SoCal for four months and not been to any of the beauty spots you mention here. My top one would be Joshua Tree National Park I think, but the flowers seem to be fabulous everywhere. Also very cool you found several other successful bloggers to contribute.
Such beautiful pictures of wildflowers in Southern California! I hope to be able to make it out during the Spring to see these in at least a few places you mentioned.
I have to admit I wasn’t even aware that there was a whole wildflower season in California (being from the UK it wasn’t on my radar), let alone knew the term “super bloom”. But what spectacular sites & I’m especially partial to the poppies. Thanks for sharing – next time I will make sure I time my trip to California to coincide, the flowers are just beautiful!
This post is very timely as I’m in Southern California right now and was wondering about seeing some spring flowers. Thanks for compiling such a comprehensive list!
I’d love to go back to CA during wildflower season! I tried to see the bloom at Antelope Canyon a few years ago but was a few weeks too early. It’s still a beautiful park to visit even without the flowers though!
What amazing flowers. I hadn’t heard of a super bloom before I read this, but they look stunning in the photos. I would love to see some of these places for real, especially the Flower Fields.
Good article.
However, this year is pretty much going to be a bust for wildflowers.
If you don’t believe me check the Antelope Valley Preserve webcam.
March is usually peak wildflower season.
This has been pretty much a drought year.
So, set your expectations low.
We’ve found a few hardy individuals blooming in our local parks.
But most of the places listed above are going to underperform this year.
The mountains have had a lot of snow recently.
We’ll check those area out after the snowmelt in April and May.
An Australian expat who loves living in San Francisco and helping other Aussies make their dreams of moving to the US come true. Read more on my about page.
Wow there are so many beautiful places in Southern California! We are hoping to get over to the US later this year or next and would love to explore more of Cali!
Bookmarked for future travels!
Wow this guide is amazing! I’m definitely saving it for my next California layover!
It is my goal to see more flowers this spring/summer. The wildflowers in California are absolutely breathtaking and I love how they are also in a lot of State and National Parks. 🙂
Oh wow, so many beautiful places. I kind of really love the picture of the cactus in Mojave. What a unique place. The wildflowers are all amazing but sometimes these different ones are the most interesting
Is it already this time of the year again? I cannot wait… 🙂 Wildflowers blooming in California means we can start planning trips up here in Oregon for the next 2-3 weeks, too.
Oh wow! I didn’t know about so many amazing places where to see wildflowers. Such an interesting read. Can’t wait to travel again and start planning my road trip in California.
This is so amazing and your photos are gorgeous! I would love to visit and see a super bloom! I bet it is so gorgeous!
Great post, Kat. Can’t believe I’ve stayed in SoCal for four months and not been to any of the beauty spots you mention here. My top one would be Joshua Tree National Park I think, but the flowers seem to be fabulous everywhere. Also very cool you found several other successful bloggers to contribute.
Such beautiful pictures of wildflowers in Southern California! I hope to be able to make it out during the Spring to see these in at least a few places you mentioned.
I have to admit I wasn’t even aware that there was a whole wildflower season in California (being from the UK it wasn’t on my radar), let alone knew the term “super bloom”. But what spectacular sites & I’m especially partial to the poppies. Thanks for sharing – next time I will make sure I time my trip to California to coincide, the flowers are just beautiful!
This post is very timely as I’m in Southern California right now and was wondering about seeing some spring flowers. Thanks for compiling such a comprehensive list!
I had no idea that you weren’t supposed to pick wildflowers! Glad I saw that before I came out to visit.
I’d love to go back to CA during wildflower season! I tried to see the bloom at Antelope Canyon a few years ago but was a few weeks too early. It’s still a beautiful park to visit even without the flowers though!
Such a great guide! My favorites were always the CA Poppies when I lived there. The colors were so stunning!
What amazing flowers. I hadn’t heard of a super bloom before I read this, but they look stunning in the photos. I would love to see some of these places for real, especially the Flower Fields.
Good article.
However, this year is pretty much going to be a bust for wildflowers.
If you don’t believe me check the Antelope Valley Preserve webcam.
March is usually peak wildflower season.
This has been pretty much a drought year.
So, set your expectations low.
We’ve found a few hardy individuals blooming in our local parks.
But most of the places listed above are going to underperform this year.
The mountains have had a lot of snow recently.
We’ll check those area out after the snowmelt in April and May.
Thanks Jimbo, my fingers are crossed for the snowmelt and hope that some wildflowers make an appearance later this spring.