California’s superbloom is so big and bright, it can be seen from space

On March 2, 1903 the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, became the official state flower of California (Ca. Government Code Section 421(opens in new tab)). The plant’s bright orange flowers are an unmatched symbol of the Golden State, perhaps viewed as a floral representation of the “fields of gold” sought during the gold rush. The California poppy is commonly seen blooming in the spring and summer along country roads and freeways throughout much of the state, making this plant a highly recognizable symbol of California, and April 6 of each year is officially designated as California Poppy Day.

It is often believed that there are laws prohibiting the cutting or damaging of the California poppy because it is the state flower. While there is no law protecting the California poppy specifically, California Penal Code Section 384a(opens in new tab) requires written landowner permission to remove and sell plant material from land that a person does not own, and removing or damaging plants from property that a person does not own without permission may constitute trespass and/or petty theft. However, these laws do not prevent the collection of California poppies on private land by the landowner. California poppies are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to your garden, and although you may choose to pick them from your property, they last much longer in the ground!

California’s superbloom phenomenon is so big and bright this year it can be seen from space. NASA’s Landsat 9 satellite, which was launched in 2021 to capture images of Earth’s land surface, sent back images of bright purple and green blooms in Carrizo Plain National Park.

A superbloom occurs when desert areas in Southern California receive more rain or cooler weather through the fall and winter, allowing more flowers to thrive. The term “superbloom,” however, is not a scientific one: It was created by the media to describe these colorful, robust blooms, said said Cameron Barrows, an associate research ecologist at UC Riverside’s Center for Conservation Biology.

Some years, the blooms aren’t that super. Excessive rain can also help bromes, a type of grass. grow fast, filling the area and covering the flowers, said Richard Minnich, a professor of earth sciences at UC Riverside.

And it’s not every year the area gets enough rain for the spectacle to happen. The 2023 NASA images, taken on April 6, are much more colorful than the April 2022 images, NASA says. Carrizo Plain National Park is located north of Santa Barbara.

The 2019 bloom near the town of New Cuyama was also visible from space, according to NASA.  Several areas in the state are experiencing superblooms this year, with Chino Hills State Park getting a carpet of orange poppies.

Visitors often flock to the superblooms when they are vibrant, and officials have called excessive tourism a “nightmare” in the past. “The 2019 bloom became a national … and international phenomenon,” Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson said during a news conference earlier this month. “Numerous problems occurred on our trails and roads. There were Disneyland-size crowds wanting to see the poppies.”\23

Some visitors trampled the flowers and a California highway patrol officer even died as a result of problems with visitors during the 2019 superbloom, according to the Regional Conservation Authority of Western Riverside County. Trails, parking and access to Walker Canyon were closed as a result.

The 2023 bloom was not expected to be as vibrant and vast as the one in 2019, but it was expected to be large, Johnson said. Visitors were urged to watch it from a safe distance – on a livestream of the area, as they will not be allowed in Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore. source

California’s wildflower ‘super bloom’ transforms landscapes into paintings

Southern California is enjoying a wildflower “super bloom” after years of extreme drought.

The state had been under a drought state of emergency since 2014, but Gov. Jerry Brown lifted the order for all but four counties, earlier this month.

The wet winter strained reservoirs to the max and replenished mountain snowpacks, which are now at 164 percent of the season average.

Photographer Sarah Chah spotted a group of pronghorns, sometimes known as the American antelope, in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The Temblor Range, a famous spot for wildflower viewing that’s part of the Carrizo Plain, is now carpeted in blue, purple, orange and yellow flowers and vibrant green foliage.Another visitor to the region, Heather Lomax, tried out her new drone camera last weekend during a camping trip and saw yellow flowers for as far as the eye can see.The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, in Sun Valley, has a wildflower hotline that’s updated every Friday during the season. It’s narrated with gusto by Emmy-winning actor Joe Spano (of “Hill Street Blues fame), which makes it worth a listen, even if you’re not heading to the area.

April and May are prime times for seeing the wildflowers before hot weather hits.

The Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the monument is asking people to share their photos with the hashtag #trackthebloom. source

Where to See California’s Super Blooms

Wondering where to experience the most eye-catching wildflower blooms in California? Feast your eyes on these vibrant areas in California.

Ever thought to stop and smell the flowers? California’s super blooms are the ideal colorful displays to enjoy the wonders of nature. Observe mountain ranges transforming into surreal orange canvases—floral brushstrokes of yellow, green, and purple paint the landscapes and illuminate the panoramas. You’ll discover that the hot orange of the poppies in contrast to the browns of desert bushes yields a blissful sight to see. Pair that with the dramatic blue of the clear skies above and you got yourself a pretty paradise.

To view the wildflowers in full bloom, the best time to visit Murrietta is in late March (April and May are also okay). It’s during these months that the flowers are especially fresh and vibrant—you’ll see them dancing in the sun all spring long.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK 

Wildflowers in Joshua Tree are one of the park’s most beautiful sights. During each spring—given the right conditions—this national park explodes in a burst of color as the super bloom season in California begins. Reds, yellows, purples, and blues splash across the majestic Joshua Tree desert landscape, adding a magical feel to the park. What most people don’t expect to find in the desert park is the orange California poppy.

Delicate and ephemeral, California poppy super blooms don’t last very long here. These stunning wildflowers only bloom for a few weeks before wilting away in the summer heat. Given the harsh nature of the desert, the blooms appear only when conditions are favorable for their survival. After rainy winters, wildflowers at the state park flourish for a few weeks in spring—just long enough to produce seeds for the next generation. Seeds then bloom into breathtaking hedgehog cactus, sand verbena, purple mat, ocotillo, and sand blazing star.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWER BLOOMS

CALERO COUNTY PARK

As Santa Clara County’s most diverse regional park and recreation area, Calero doesn’t disappoint when it comes to super blooms in Northern California. The county park is a local favorite thanks to its 18.9 miles of trails found in the backcountry section of the park. If you visit in late March, you’ll see an explosion of color—California gilia, narrowleaf flaxflower, and smooth cat’s ear brighten the trails and paths in Calero County Park. Stroll along the grassy hilltops and soak in the views of the colorful wildflowers while hiking the Javelina Loop Trail at the park.

BRIONES REGIONAL PARK

More than 2,000 species of wildflowers grow in the San Francisco Bay Area alone. Visit Briones Regional Park during springtime; vibrant hues of red, yellow, and bright purple will greet you along the way. The park boasts some of the best East Bay hiking trails featuring the most kaleidoscopic wildflowers in the region. When visiting in spring, you’ll find this area dotted with Himalayan blackberry, California saxifrage, brass buttons, yellow Jonny-tuck, red-stem filaree, baby blue-eyes, and arroyo lupine. If you’ve been meaning to find the best place to view wildflowers, this is it.

SUPER BLOOMS IN THE BAY AREA

SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS 

The spectacular 6,580-acre Sunol Regional Wilderness never falls short when it comes to super blooms in the Bay Area. You can hike for hours in multiple spots and end up seeing tons of different varieties. The park has more than 30 trails that lead to flower fields of seaside heliotrope, California buckeye, Western Virgin’s bower, and cow parsnip. For yellow and red varieties, keep an eye out for native annuals like Lindley’s blazing star, common fiddleneck, rattlesnake weed, California lotus, and mountain garland.

But perhaps the most impressive thing you’ll see at the Sunol Regional Wilderness is the blue and purple California wildflowers. Concentrations of royal larkspurs, dove lupines, Persian speedwells, and blue fiesta flowers—these color combinations will take your breath away.

MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK

Over 400 species of California wildflowers bloom at Mount Diablo State Park in February, resulting in the best photo ops you can find in the Bay Area. No matter which trail you’re hiking—Mitchell Canyon, Waterfalls of Mount Diablo Loop, or Mary Bowerman Interpretive Trail—you’ll find yourself engulfed in a sea of super blooms.

Marvel at Bermuda buttercups, California barberries, checker lilies, and yellow oxalis as you explore the depth of the state park. You’ll also come across bush anemones, butterfly tulips, chaparral peas, crimson clovers, and arroyo lupine. You don’t even have to download a California wildflower identification app for this state park— the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association has a comprehensive guide to help you better understand the flora.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPER BLOOMS

ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

It goes without saying that most sensational displays of wildflowers in the Golden State are found in the desert. So, if you’re searching for a Borrego Springs super bloom, look no further than this desert state park.

A chart-topper among stargazing destinations, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is home to some weird desert art, undulating vistas, and mind-blowing super blooms. Every summer, the landscape becomes electrified with colors, as wildflowers, cacti, and lush bushes come into bloom.

Hike the Cactus Loop, Hellhole Canyon, and the Borrego Palm Canyon Trails to witness unmatched floral displays. Desert marigolds, Bigelow’s monkeyflowers, lupines, and desert dandelions—you’ll find Southern California’s super blooms in all their striking glory. You might even spot desert apricots and sand verbena. No matter which wildflower you stumble upon, one thing’s for sure, this state park is bound to leave you with a lasting impression.

WALKER CANYON, LAKE ELSINORE 

Drive an hour from L.A. to Lake Elsinore to see an unbelievably epic bloom at Walker Canyon. The orange poppy-covered mountains result in a spectacular scene that you can’t help but fall in love with. Just about everything—including freeway dividers and shoulders—is filled with patches of orange poppies, bright purple ice plant flowers, and yellow hillside daisies. When you want to see super blooms near San Diego, head to Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore and prepare to feast your eyes on that first glimpse of fiery orange.

SUPER BLOOMS NEAR LOS ANGELES 

ANTELOPE VALLEY CALIFORNIA POPPY RESERVE

Does a place like Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve even need an introduction? The stunning state-protected reserve is basically a shrine to California poppies, the official flower of the Golden State. Come here in late winter or early spring to see the California poppy’s super bloom, which carpets the area in kaleidoscopic hues.

While this naturally occurring California reserve is the most persistent poppy-bearing land in the state, it doesn’t necessarily mean that other wildflowers don’t grow here. Catch a glimpse of owl’s clover, lupine, cream cups, coreopsis, and colorful goldfield while taking a walk among the super blooms in Los Angeles. It’s easy to satisfy all of your interests at this state park.

POINT DUME NATURAL PRESERVE

While many people visit Point Dume for its white sand beaches, it’s the super blooms in Los Angeles that make us want to go there. Blankets of coreopsis, bush flowers, and California poppies carpet the headlands each spring. Yellow tickseeds line the trails at Point Dume, reminding you of the yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz.

Spectacular vistas of the Pacific are always the bonus at Point Dume—coastal hikes are worth the trek, even if they’re uphill. Keep an eye out for sand verbenas, morning glory, and evening primrose.

CHINO HILLS STATE PARK 

The most impressive Southern California super blooms are found in Chino Hills State Park—that’s just a fact. Much like Antelope Valley, this area hits you with poppy fields that look like visions straight out of a dream. The poppy season typically lasts from February to September, so March is the perfect time to marvel at orange-gold beauties.

Besides California poppies, you’ll most likely spot violet owl clovers, silver lupines, and bush sunflowers. Not every state park can stir up emotions with its beauty, but Chino Hills manages to do that again and again. source

The United States has some of the most spectacular wildflower super blooms in the entire world. Spring wildflowers emerge across the coastal valleys of the west, mountainsides and even in the harsh desert environments of some of our National Parks. But, did you know a super bloom does not happen every year?

 

We’ll share with you all the details of how and why a super bloom takes place. As well, we’ll share amazing super bloom locations and when the time to see them!

This post contains affiliate links to help run this site at no extra cost to you so we can keep providing FREE Outdoor, Camping, RV and Travel information, advice and tips. Full disclosure here.

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What is a Super Bloom?

A super bloom, also spelled as one word “superbloom”, is a rare desert botanical phenomenon in which an unusually high proportion of wildflowers whose seeds have lain dormant in desert soil germinate and blossom at roughly the same time in the spring and even into the summer.

What dictates whether a Super Bloom will occur

For a wildflower super bloom to occur, weather and environmental conditions have to be just right. A good wildflower bloom depends on at least 3 elements.

First, there must be well-spaced rainfalls throughout the late Fall, Winter to very early Spring seasons. The foliage and flowers in the desert must receive ample water accumulation to penetrate deep into the soil to reach the dormant seeds.

Second, in addition to ample precipitation, there must be warm (not hot) temperatures leading up to the super bloom. The warmth from the sun help germinate the seeds to promote growth

However, that said, too much rain causing flash floods will wash away the seeds before they’re able to take root.

Third, there can’t be any dry winds or hot baking sun to hinder seed sprouts and plant growth.

But, on the opposite spectrum, if the Fall and Winter seasons experience drought, the seeds will perish from dehydration.

One other environmental concern that may hinder a super bloom is if there are too many invasive plants that rob the germinating seeds of their much needed moisture and soil nutrients.

How often does a Super Bloom happen?

As you’ve just read, environmental and weather conditions must be perfectly aligned for a super bloom to occur. That is the reason why they don’t happen for consecutive years.

In California, a wildflower superbloom will only occur once every 10 years. 2019 was the last super bloom in the Golden State.

And, in Death Valley, you’re lucky to see a super bloom anywhere from 10 to even up 15 years.

How long does a superbloom last?

Typically, if the conditions are ideal and depending on elevation, the wildflower super bloom season in the desert southwest region starts around mid February and can last all the way until June to even mid July.

However, peak season of the super bloom usually happens in early spring. Typically in March and April.

Why super blooms are necessary

Super blooms are vital to the balance of nature. With the mounds of flowers come lots of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators that are needed to continue the life cycles of plants and trees.

Where do Super Blooms occur?

Super blooms predominantly take place in the grasslands and deserts of Southern California into Arizona. Larger concentration of blooming flower fields have actually been seen from space! These massive flowering events last up to 2 months.

So, now that we’ve learned how superblooms occur, let’s check out the best places to see the super bloom in the U.S.!

California’s Rare “Super Bloom” Is Moving North Into the Central Valley

Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

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Best Places to See the Super Bloom in the U.S. & When to Visit

Anza Borrego Desert State Park – California

One of the best best places to see the super bloom is Anza Borrego Desert State Park located in southeast California. Having experienced this particular super bloom location in 2019, I have to say, “it’s nothing short of show-stopping!”.

Simply put, the vast beauty of the many different varieties of wildflowers and vivid colors makes us wonder how it happens in the desert and even mountain desert regions.

Flowers are found across most of the Borrego area, all but high mountains, rocky hillsides, badlands and some sandy desert regions. Favored locations include:

• • Borrego Palm Canyon – sheltered canyon with palm trees and many other plants.
  • Culp Valley – higher elevation area near the eastern park boundary along S22.
  • Henderson Canyon Road – highway northeast of Borrego Springs, passing good wildflower terrain close to Coyote Creek, at the foot of Coyote Mountain.
  • Plum Canyon – side canyon of San Felipe Creek Valley, south of CA 78.

Amongst the hundreds of blooming wildflowers in Anza Borrego, you’ll see Bluebells, Brittlebush, California Poppy, Desert Lily, Desert Sunflowers, Evening Primrose, Desert Lupine, Popcorn Flowers, Verbena, Wild Mustard.

And the best part is camping at the Anza Borrego Desert State Park’s Borrego Palm Canyon Campground. As well, Anza Borrego has excellent boondocking spots that we found through RV Life’s Trip Wizard trip planner. Both put you front and center of the super bloom!

Lake Elsinore – California

California is known for its’ amazing wild poppy superbloom. In fact, in 1903, the California Poppy became the Golden State’s official state flower.

In the Spring season, the mountains and hillsides steal the spotlight with their thick and lush hues of golds and oranges. And for decades, it’s become one of the best places to see the super bloom!

In fact, during the 2019 super bloom (and even 2020), the poppy fields at Lake Elsinore’s Walker Canyon Trail were so abundant that they were actually visible from space!

The hillsides east of I-15 in Lake Elsinore exploded with color in late February as a super bloom covered more than 1,600 acres of hillsides in and near the city (and we got to see it!).

The California poppy blooming extravaganza doesn’t happen unless there is ample rainfall preceding the blossom season.

Only then, the golden hues take foothold between starting anywhere from late February all the way into early May; peaking for 3 weeks from about late March to into April.

Since Walkers Canyon and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park border each other, this makes a great super bloom destination to get all the blossoming flowers you wish to see! source

CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS 2023 – WHERE TO SEE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPERBLOOM

There’s just something about Mother Nature…and her magnificent California wildflowers. American naturalist John Burroughs once said, “I go to nature to be soothed, and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” How very true.

WHEN IS CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWER SEASON?

Spring is an absolutely beautiful time of the year in Southern California. A time when the air is filled with intoxicating fragrances from a host of newly blooming wildflowers in the desert and coastal areas from mid-February through May, peaking in mid-March.

However, this also depends a lot on the rainfall and temperatures of each season and it is hard to pinpoint an exact time. I highly recommend watching the local news channels and checking for current updates on the local California Wildflower bloom, and then acting quickly once the buds are starting to bloom. With all the rain we had in the last weeks, 2023 looks promising for higher than average bloom, maybe even a superbloom? We’ll have to keep watching how the rain continues in Southern California this spring. In any case, it is still worth driving out there and soaking it all in and enjoying nature.

CALIFORNIA SUPER BLOOM

Each year, we botanical lovers hope and wish for a super bloom – when the landscape is covered with a rainbow explosion of colorful flowers. Super blooms happen when a delicate balance of sunshine, temperature, wind, and rainfall has occurred during the fall and winter months, resulting in an unusual number of wildflowers all blooming at the same time.

These super blooms typically occur once every 10 to 15 years, but 2017 and 2019 proved that this phenomenon can happen at any time.Whether we’ll witness another super bloom this spring remains to be seen, though a bit more rain would be helpful. But the only way for San Diegans and other So Cal residents to know is by planning a visit to these destinations – the absolute best places to see the California wildflowers in all their glory.

MOST COMMON CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS

• California Poppies
• Desert Lily
• Fleabane Daisy
• Dune Evening Primrose
• Desert Dandelions
• Lupin
• Matilija Poppies
• Bush Sunflower

• Joshua Tree
• Cactus
• Wild Morning Glory
• Mariposa Lily
• Monkey Flower
• Indian Paintbrush
• Wild Sage
• Western Goldenrod

Located in Borrego Springs in Southern California’s Colorado Desert, Anza-Borrego is the largest of California’s state parks. And it’s also one of the early blooming first-responders of our desert regions with over a hundred varieties of wildflowers and blooming cacti.

This magnificent outdoor playground just two hours east of San Diego sports hiking trails, campgrounds, waterfalls, Desert Bighorn sheep, and of course, wildflower preserves. Though the bloom officially begins halfway through February, mid-March is typically the best time to see the spectacle of color carpeting the desert floor.

Best places to see a variety of desert blooms, including the bright pink-purplish sand verbena are along Henderson Canyon Road, surrounding the Visitor Center, and Borrego Palm Canyon. It’s simply magnificent.

ANTELOPE VALLEY CALIFORNIA POPPY RESERVE

Address: 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA 93536
Website

The intense blooming season occurs in late winter to early spring, mid-February through mid-May. Taking to the trails is the ideal way to see the poppies, and how amazing that one of its trails is actually wheelchair-accessible.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Website

One of the west’s most picturesque national parks and one of our favorites, Joshua Tree encompasses 1,200 square miles within the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Though the park is a popular year-round destination, spring’s colorful blossoms make a visit here a prized experience.

Wildflowers can begin blooming in the lower elevations in February, and in higher elevations in March and April as daytime temperatures rise. The park showcases the most variations of splendid color ranging from reds and yellows, to purples and blues– all splashed across a fascinating and picturesque landscape.

You’ll find stunning Mariposa and Desert Lilies, vibrant blue Canterbury Bells, Purple Mat, and bright Golden Poppies here, just to name a few. It’s more than worth the three-hour road trip from San Diego.

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

WALKER CANYON, LAKE ELSINORE

Website

UPDATE: Walker Canyon was closed on February 7th, 2023 for visitors for the duration of the poppy bloom.

Just one-hour northeast of San Diego, Lake Elsinore is the largest freshwater lake in California. It also achieved notoriety as the epicenter of the 2019 super bloom in its magnificent ecological reserve, Walker Canyon.

A 7,000-acre wilderness area in the San Joaquin Hills surrounding Laguna Beach, this picturesque park features coastal canyons, stunning ridgeline views, and the only natural lakes in Orange County. Streams running only in the spring are also a huge draw.

We also love that this pristine nature park transports visitors back to how coastal California appeared many years ago. Forty miles of trails meandering these untouched canyons lead hikers and bikers through oak and sycamore woodlands and onto elevated ridges with panoramic vistas.

Native plants and flowers such as wild hyacinth, morning glories, popcorn flowers, and southern sun cups are joined each spring by Baby Blue Eyes, vibrantly violet Johnny Jump-ups and Mariposa Lilies. Wildflower season typically peaks here the end of April.

This promontory located just west of Los Angeles forms the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay, and is yet another magnificent California state park offering amazing picturesque hiking.  On a clear day you can see all the way to Santa Catalina Island. And how awesome that these vistas also offer the best viewings of whales and pods of playful dolphins.

FAQS ABOUT VIEWING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS:

What’s the best way to find out about the wildflowers?

Check each park’s website for updated information as local rainfall and weather conditions determine bloom.

When is the best time to visit the parks?

Viewing spring wildflowers is quite a popular Southern California activity. Arriving early or later in the day allows for enjoying without the crowds. You may also consider opting for a weekday vs a weekend trip as traffic can take away the pleasure of being outdoors with nature.

Is there a fee to enter the parks?

Some parks do charge an entrance fee, some do not. Again, information can be found on each park’s website.

How is COVID affecting visitation?

The parks are open however some may limit the number of vehicles entering the park, especially on the weekends. Social distancing guidelines are set forth by our state and national parks, both on the website and posted throughout the park. My advice is that everyone should bring a mask.

POINT DUME STATE BEACH

Address: Cliffside Dr &, Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265
Website

Blankets of stunningly beautiful giant yellow and multi-hued Coreopsis, Bush Flowers, and California Poppies carpet the coastal headlands above Point Dume State Beach in Malibu each spring.

Sand Verbenas, Morning Glory, and Evening Primrose flourish along the trails. As an added bonus, visitors can view this glorious spectacle from the highlands and hills, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

BEST TIPS FOR VISITING THE PARKS DURING CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWER SEASON?

Some of the best viewings of California wildflowers occur by following along recommended park pathways. You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing as temperatures and weather conditions can vary dramatically throughout the day. And make sure to bring plenty of water.

Stay on the trails. They are there for a reason, and as the weather starts to warm up, our reptilian friends tend to become more active.

Keep an eye out for local critters. We are visiting in their habitat after all. While it’s highly unlikely they would cause harm, it’s always good practice to stay attentive.

Take lots of photos of course, but please don’t trample the flowers while you’re going for that perfect Instagram shot. And be considerate of others who are wanting to take their photos as well.