This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through included links. I will only recommend companies and products that I personally trust and recommend.
I love spring! One of the most exciting sights of spring is when the beautiful wildflowers begin to emerge and give notice that warmer days with more sunshine are on the way. California is known for some of the best wildflower fields and there are dozens of areas to explore that will allow you to enjoy a variety of flowers. As always when exploring any natural environment, be sure to stay on the designated trails and follow the Leave No Trace principles to preserve the delicate ecosystems for years to come. In this blog we shall explore all the different areas in which we can see wildflowers in California.
When can you find wildflowers in California
Most of the wildflowers begin to bloom to their peak mid-March through May but some varieties last into mid-summer. Northern California typically has later bloom timelines compared to Southern California and the lower elevation regions will also bloom later. Along with these factors, the weather and rainfall will also affect the bloom time, so it is best to check in with local parks to see how the flowers are progressing throughout the season.
Where to find wildflowers in your area
Golden Gate Park
In the heart of San Francisco is Golden Gate Park, a sprawling urban park that is over 1,000 acres and filled with vibrant wildflowers. You can wander through the San Francisco Botanical Garden and Oak Woodlands where you will see California poppies, goldenrods, lupines, and Douglas irises in full bloom. Don’t miss the enchanting cherry blossoms at the historic Japanese Tea Garden, where shades of blush and ivory create a picturesque scene against the lush greenery. Cherry blossoms can also be found throughout the park and usually peak in early spring. Tip: Visiting the Japanese Tea Garden is free for SF residents. Visiting hours are from 9:00am-4:30pm in winter and till 5:30pm in summer. Best time to go is March and April.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
One of the best places to see wildflowers in California is the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. Venture into the Mojave Desert to discover the beauty of this reserve. Here you will find acres of rolling hills covered in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and gold from different California poppy varieties. Take a leisurely hike along the popular Poppy Loop Trail to witness the blooms along with lupines, cream cups, and tidy tips. This display will prove why poppies are the state flower and they are best observed on a sunny day as they open more with sunshine. Check website for details on parking and entry fee. Best time to visit is April and early May!
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Escape to the remote landscape of Carrizo Plain National Monument, where fields of wildflowers color the hills. You will be surrounded by California poppies, fiddlenecks, tidy tips lupines, goldfields, and owl’s clover. Keep an eye out for superblooms, the rare occurrence will follow periods of heavy rainfall. Peak blooms occur around March and April but will always vary based on seasonal weather. Tip: Some of the best trails for wildflower viewing are Elkhorn Plain, Temblor Range, and the Selby Campground. You also won’t want to miss the Painted Rock area where wildflowers sprout elegantly against the ancient rock formations. I went in 2023 and the views were beyond amazing! This is one of my favorite places to view wildflowers in California! Best time to visit is end of March but most of April and early May will be best.
Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve
Experience wildflowers in California at Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve, where grassy hillsides become filled with a variety of blooms. The scenic trails will lead you to California poppies, lupines, shooting stars, white milkmaids, larkspur, and buttercups while taking in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Tip: The Burdell Mountain Summit Trail and the Old Quarry Trail are popular routes to hiking if you are looking for plenty of wildflowers to see while enjoying the outdoors. Best time to visit is April and May.
Edgewood Park and Nature Preserve
Discover the diverse northern California wildflowers at Edgewood Park and Nature Preserve, right in the heart of the Bay Area. Here you can hike through the hills and meadows covered in owl’s clover, lupines, wild irises, buttercups, poppies, and shooting stars while soaking in the beauty of this hidden gem. Tip: The Sylvan Trail is also great for wildflower viewing and is a leisurely hike. The peak bloom period for wildflowers in the park occurs typically from March to early May.
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, where 3,000 acres of hillsides become a vibrant display of wildflowers. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Ancient Oaks Trail and Ridge Trail will bring you to fields of California poppies, lupines, irises, hound’s tongue, and starflowers while enjoying sprawling views of the Pacific Ocean. With its stunning vistas and abundant flora, Russian Ridge is a must-visit destination for wildflower enthusiasts. This park is popular and has limited parking so be sure to arrive early and be prepared for rocky terrain.
Nestled within the hills of the East Bay, Sunol Regional Wilderness offers a tranquil escape. Hike along the Canyon View Trail to encounter a variety of blooms, tree-lined canyons, and grazing cattle in the grassland. From the California sagebrush and wild rose to mule ear sunflowers and popcorn flowers, Sunol is filled with beautiful flowers. Starting in May, keep an eye out for clarkia blooming in shades of pink. Tip: If you hike the LIttle Yosemite trail, don’t miss the breathtaking views of Little Yosemite, where the waterfalls and flower fields make a picturesque landscape. Best time to visit is April and May.
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve offers blooming fields filled with California poppies, Indian paintbrush, farewell-to-spring, lupines, California buttercups, and California goldfields. Tip: You won’t want to miss the Anniversary Trail, a short hike that has great views of the flowers and San Francisco Bay. Windy Hill Open Space Preserve offers a Northern California wildflower experience that you will want to make time to experience.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Well known for its diverse and breathtaking coastal scenery, the park exhibits plenty of beautiful blooms like sun cups, lupines, checkerblooms, buttercups, poppies, and irises. Along Abbotts Lagoon, Estero Trail, and Chimney Rock Trail you will be treated to a colorful mix of flowers and panoramic views of the coastline, which will sometimes feature whales and seals within view. Tip: For a longer day hike, plan for the Tomales Point Trail and get ready to see plenty of Elk and wildflowers in March and April!
Mount Diablo State Park
Discover the vibrant displays of wildflowers at Mount Diablo State Park, where grasslands and woodlands provide the backdrop for a diverse array of blooms. Take the Mary Bowerman Trail to see buttercups, paintbrush, sticky monkey-flower, poppies, California bluebells, checker mallow, and purple Chinese houses in bloom, while enjoying panoramic views of the Bay Area. A rare sighting of Mount Diablo fairy lanterns, a yellow lily that only grows here, is an exciting surprise for those who happen to catch them in bloom. Some popular areas for wildflower viewing within the park include the Mitchell Canyon area, the Summit Trail, and the Rock City area. With so many areas to explore, Mount Diablo is a paradise for wildflower lovers and worth the trip. Best time to visit is April!
Henry W. Coe State Park
As one of the largest state parks in Northern California, Henry W. Coe State Park offers plenty of chances to enjoy the wildflowers. Explore popular trails like Manzanita Point Road and the China Hole Loop Trail to see the California poppies, lupines, farewell-to-spring, California goldfields, and buttercups. The Coyote Creek entrance and Hunting Hollow entrance are also known for beautiful displays of colorful flowers.
Known for the views of the Bay Area, Mount Tamalpais State Park has scenic trails that are surrounded by a variety of wildflowers and is an awesome area to see wildflowers in California. Hike on the Matt Davis Trail or Steep Ravine Trail where you will find flowers like shooting stars, larkspurs, bluedicks, popcorn flowers, sticky monkey flowers, and California poppies. Phoenix Lake Trail is a lakeside loop and the popular Yolanda Trail features natural creeks and mini waterfalls.
This is one of the best coastal trails along San Francisco, where you can see almost 30 miles of hills, valleys, and is a magical area to see wildflowers in California. The 3.5-mile loop has magnificent views and aside from the beautiful natural landscape, you will also see Sutro Bath ruins and the Golden Gate Bridge. As you hike, you will see lupines, wild roses, and buttercups that make it a picturesque trail unlike any other in the area. Best time to visit is April and May!
Located in Castro Valley, Anthony Chabot Regional Park is a hidden gem of a park that has a diverse ecosystem of grasslands and forests filled with wildflowers. The park features a campground and thousands of acres of scenic beauty. Try the Grass Valley Loop for a shorter hike to see the lupines, wild roses, and buttercups in bloom. For a longer adventure, try Bass Cove Trail or the Lake Chabot Loop with miles of scenic flower fields. This park even has a wildflower guide you can use to help identify the flowers throughout the area.
Chino Hills state park is located in the Chino HIlls, foothills of the Santa Ana mountains. The best wildflower viewing experience takes place along Bane Canyon Road. To get a closer look, visitors can hike on Bane Ridge Trail. This year, the flowers that are blooming include Canterbury and School Bells, Arroyo Lupine, Black Mustard, Wild Radish, and California Poppies. Best time to visit is April.
Located in Hemet, California about an hour and a half from San Diego, the Diamond Valley Lake wildflower trail is a loop trail that is good for all skill levels. The loop is about 2.32 miles total with an elevation gain of 433ft. The Lake and the surrounding hills have become known for the spectacular wildflower blooms each spring, and are popular among hikers. E-bikes and bicycles are also permitted on the Lake View Trail, and equestrians can enjoy the North Hills Trail. Best time to visit is late March through April!
The 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is justly famous for a number of noteworthy natural features including palm oases, vast open spaces, the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep, and its soaring desert vistas. Above all else, the park’s notoriety stems from its spectacular spring wildflower displays. Best hikes to find wildflowers at this park include Borrego Palm Canyon, Hellhole Canyon, Cactus Loop and Calcite Mine. Best time to visit is now – April!
The Calla Lilies are located in Garrapata State Beach and are absolutely beautiful in February and March! You’ll have to park on the side of the road and then hike down to the little valley that overlooks the beach. The AllTrails link should guide you to the valley. Wear long pants as some parts can be overgrown and wear some sort of ankle length waterproof boots as you are going to be wading about in water near the flowers. As always please remember to pick up trash, don’t pick or trample on any of the flowers.
Fresno Country orchards transform in February and March with Almond, Peach, Nectarine blossoms to name a few of the gorgeous blossoms that bloom throughout the area. The best way to figure out where to go is to check out this website and look for updates on what’s blooming in which farm. You can even call the farms and find out what’s blooming currently and plan your trip accordingly.
While exploring the wildflowers in California, check out some of my other guides and make your trip an unforgettable weekend getaway!
Majestic Mountain Loop Weekend Getaway
A weekend in Mendocino, California
This is very helpful!! Thank you very much for putting this together:)
Thank you so much, I hope it helps you see as many wildflowers as possible this season 🙂