Every year, spring awakens the colors of nature with flowers, trees and fruits that reveal hidden wonders during winter.
California is known for its superflowers which, although not as abundant every year, can cover the slopes of its hills and valleys in brilliant color.
The Department of State Parks has reported that larger than normal wild blooms are expected this year 2023 due to winter rains.
“The unique combination of sun, rain, temperature and wind sets the stage for late winter and early spring for desert wildflowers,” they reported.
As well as inviting people to view these wonders, they asked visitors “to respect the wildflowers and vegetation by only taking photos and walking on designated trails when possible.”
Here are some of the state natural parks where you can see the superflowers:
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Located in Borrego Springs, this is one of the largest natural parks in California.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve: The Poppy Preserve begins to bloom. Park officials ask visitors to respect the marked trails and not to walk on the flowers, as they can cause damage that affects their future flowering.
Chino Hills State Park: The beautiful blooms can be seen from marked trails and even through car rides.
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park: The park is about 30 miles north of Bakersfield. To see the current status of the flowers, you can visit the state park page.
Onyx Ranch State Vehicle Recreation Area: Located in eastern Kern County. Typical local flowers include Lacy Phacelia lavender and bright yellow desert dandelion.
Red Rock Canyon State Park: It is located in northern Los Angeles County, where the southern tip of the Sierra Nevadas converges with the El Paso Range. A variety of wildflowers can be seen. They include desert dandelions, blue penises, wild or desert hogweed, and red damselfish.
Carrizo Plain National Monument: Located between Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo, this place is about 3 hours from Los Angeles.
Diamond Valley Lake: Located in Hemet, there are trails near the lake to view the spring flowers.
Skull Canyon Ziplines. Located in Corona, it combines flowers and adventure.
State of Tule Elk: The nature reserve has “large patches of flower filaree and gold fields on the reserve which are visible from the park view of the reserve. Visitors may even see herds of tule elk,” according to the official website. The reserve is north of Gorman, south of Buttonwillow.
Mount Tamalpais State Park: Trails near the ocean offer views of lilies, lupins, Ithuriel’s spear, California poppy, and blue-eyed grass, among other wildflowers. The park is located north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate.
China Camp State Park: The park is located four miles east of San Rafael, on the shore of San Pablo Bay.
Trione-Annadel State Park: The park is located in Santa Rosa in the Bay Area.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park: The park is about an hour from San Francisco and seven miles east of Santa Rosa.
It is important that you visit each park’s website for times, address, parking lots and any restrictions.