After a soaking wet winter, desert landscapes from San Diego to the Mohave are poised for a vibrant wildflower season — and buzzing with the possibility of a super bloom.
Here are the best Southern California area to plan your super bloom pilgrimage — from poppy-covered hillsides to sprawling desert carpets this spring.
Death Valley National Park
Record rainfall has seen Death Valley — usually barren and dry — in an “an above-average bloom year,” officials said.
While there are fewer flowers than in previous super bloom years, the bloom is shaping up to be the parks’ strongest in years, per the National Park Service.
Set against a stark desert backdrop, flora species currently on display include Desert Gold, Sand Verbena, Five Spot, Brown-eyed Primrose, Mohave Desert Star, Phacelia, and Suncups.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
One of the quintessential super bloom destinations, this Mohave Desert park just north of LA showcases the iconic California poppy at its finest.
Rolling hillsides often ignite with brilliant orange in peak bloom– typically March to April.
Experts suggest going between mid-March through April, but you can see for yourself when the best time to go is via the park’s live feed.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
This vast park east of San Diego is among the most reliable places to catch a true desert super bloom.
The canyons and desert dunes at California’s largest state park are already blooming, with “large swaths of neon pink desert sand verbena” popping up next to yellow desert poppies and purple phacelia. Those in the know say the best time to go is late February through March.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
About a two-hour drive north of LA, wildflowers set against a backdrop of towering red and cream colored cliffs is quite the contrast.
The rain has reportedly started to jump start the blooms, and California State Parks is already reporting purple and yellow head-turning blooms.
Chino Hills State Park
Located just beyond the greater Los Angeles area in the hills of the Santa Ana Canyon, poppies, lupines, mustard flowers and more dot the hillsides at the Chino Hills State Park.
Especially along Bane Canyon Road and Bane Ridge, the trails burst with color–especially after good rains.
