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Southern California has been experiencing one of its wettest winters in decades, making conditions ripe for a super Bloom. The abundance of rain in and around LA has brought out so much of the state’s natural beauty that it’s even made the act of sitting in traffic just a little more bearable. It’s hard to be the same level of stressed out and annoyed when snow-capped mountains tower in the distance and the sides of the highways — usually reserved for beer bottles and random bags of chips — are teeming with lush grasses and wildflowers. But none of these perks compares with actually seeing the main attraction.
A super bloom, according to National Geographic, is an “an explosion of wildflowers that exceeds typical spring blooms” — leaving remote locations and state parks across California with an ocean of brilliant blooming flowers. We’re already in the midst of a few blooms with more expected as temperatures continue to warm up. Predicting where and how long the blooms will take place isn’t an exact science, but thanks to the Theodore Payne Foundation, a non-profit plant nursery and education center, we can track where the conditions are best on a weekly basis from now until May, when the super bloom season will end.
If you plan to visit one of these sites, expect traffic — as some super bloom spots can garner crowds as large as 1,000 people per day. Our advice is to head over on an early weekday morning — call out of work if you have to, as super blooms are not a yearly thing in California. Here are all the best places to catch the Southern California 2019 super bloom right now, check this list weekly for updates on the latest blooms.
Lake Elsinore
View this post on InstagramAll that was missing was a glass of wine
According to the LA Times, the bloom is in full swing at Lake Elsinore’s Walker Canyon, where California poppies cover the hills in an ocean of orange. If you want to catch this bloom in all its brilliance then visiting this week is a must — the flowers are already at peak bloom and as more visitors arrive and temperatures continue to warm their majestic quality will begin to fade.
For the best views, exit Lake St. off of Interstate 15 and drive along Walker Canyon road. The crowds at Lake Elsinore are large so expect traffic delays.
Joshua Tree National Park
View this post on InstagramLook how happy they are
Another bloom set to peak this week, visitors of Joshua Tree will get the chance to enjoy purple lupine blooming on the desert floor, along with light yellow desert dandelions and golden poppies. The sites aren’t quite as brilliant as at Lake Elsinore, but Joshua Tree has a certain special magic to it, so it’s worth a full day’s trip if you’ve never been.
For the best view, check out the Bajada Nature trail off of Cottonwood Springs Rd. exit 168 along the 10 freeway.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
View this post on InstagramDesert in Bloom – Anza Borrego #anzaborrego #anzaborregodesertstatepark #sandiegocounty #desert #desertwildflowers #visitsandiego #cacti #desertflowers #desertphotography @anzaborrego @mopasd @sandiegoreader @anzaborregodesertsp @borregoartinstitute
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s wildflowers haven’t reached their peak yet, but pygmy golden poppies and purple sand verbena are already beginning to carpet the desert floor. This will probably be a great site to check out sometime next week when the yellow sunflowers, dune evening primrose, and white desert lilies begin to bloom.
A popular spot to check out is the wildflower field on Henderson Canyon Road off of the CA-78.
Diamond Valley Lake
View this post on InstagramGet out and experience the #superbloom2019 . #hemet #diamondvalleylake #LR #nikon #35mm #landscapephotography #poppies #southernCalifornia #wildflowers #hike #flowerboy #explore #flowers #beautiful #colors #flowerstagram #lake #peace #love #unity
Diamond Valley Lake hasn’t hit super bloom mode yet, but expect California poppies to color the green hills in the next couple of weeks — with favorable weather conditions likely to keep the flowers around until April.
Be sure to check out the wildflower trail at the Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve where access to the park costs $3 per person and $10 to park your vehicle.
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
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The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is set to start blooming in late March or early April as the flowers are still in need of a bit more sun. Visitors can expect stunning fields of orange California poppies, white forget-me-nots, phlox, and golden orange fiddle-necks, with fringe pods already beginning to appear across the fields.
Keep in mind that the Antelope Valley Reserve enforces strict rules and straying far from the trails can result in a ticket. Check out their website for more rules and guidelines. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Carrizo Plain National Monument
View this post on InstagramMore wildflowers….
Cool weather has delayed the bloom at Carrizo Plain, but with area temperatures expected to rise in the coming weeks, it’s only a matter of time before the hillsides are covered in daisies and purple wildflowers.
When visiting Carrizo Plain, plan carefully. The national monument is very remote and offers nothing in terms of cell service, water, food, or fuel. Check out the park’s website for more information about the smartest way to plan your visit.
A Note About Flower Etiquette:
View this post on Instagram"For flowers that bloom about our feet, Father we thank You. For tender grass so fresh, so sweet, Father, we thank You." Ralph Waldo Emerson Photo by @katcarney #wildflowers #california #californiasuperbloom
Some state parks have strict rules when it comes to visiting their flower fields, but most don’t, so the responsibility of being respectful towards the flowers is on you. Look we get it, a super bloom is the type of photo opportunity that gets your Instagram friends all worked up and jealous of your #blessedlifeBESTlife. But when you’re selfish, you’re just ruining the experience for others.
Be cool, if you plan on visiting the super bloom this year try to stay on the trails and avoid trampling over the flowers. If you absolutely must venture into a field because you just can’t help yourself, watch your step and refrain from laying ON the flowers, as that tends to kill them. Obey parking signs so you don’t create any additional traffic and dispose of all your trash properly.
Now get out there and enjoy the beauty of California!
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