.
Wildflower season in California is one of the most beautiful spectacles Mother Nature offers us all over the state. Depending on how winter rolls and how much rain California gets, the blooming season tentatively begins in mid February and rolls on into late spring. Clue periods are usually from end of February to early April, depending on location.
In recent years, winter rains have been abundant, and pretty much every spring we have been blessed with the so called superblooms. Wildflowers can be seen almost everywhere, but there are some wild areas in which the display is truly incredible. This year another superbloom is forecast, so get your car packed, your camera ready and go wildflower-a-chasin’!
Don’t forget to tag me if you post on IG @lifeoutofbounds
.
.
The first to roll is the Wild Mustard, which floods the fields and vineyards of Sonoma and Napa Valleys (and other areas of California) in an ocean of yellow. That is happening now (February). Just drive around and you will see it everywhere. You can view more photos here.
.
.
At around the same time (end February into March), in the outskirts of a little Gold Country town called Volcano,in Northern California, thousands of Daffodils bloom on a private ranch along the road. For a few years, the ranch was open to the public during blooming season. Unfortunately public access had to be permanently closed due to over-tourism. The location simply couldn’t handle the thousands and thousands of people (and cars) flocking to it every day.
I was lucky to visit Daffodil Hill (as it was informally called) a few years ago, not long before they decided to close. If you like, you can read about it and view photos on this dedicated post.
.
.
CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS
Besides Wild Mustard, the wildflowers you see pretty much everywhere in California are the orange California Poppies and purple Lupines. Depending on the area there are also: Desert Gold, Phacelia, Owl’s Clover, Desert Paintbrush, Globemellow, Buttercup, Sticky Monkeyflower, Baby Blue Eyes, Redwood Sorrel and more. Here is a little printable resource by the CNPS (California Native Plant Society).
There are several books on the subject with complete lists and botanical information about California wildflowers. If interested, you can pick one at this easy Amazon page.
.
.
WHERE AND APPROXIMATELY WHEN
.
I have done my best to make my list as accurate as possible. However, Mother Nature is in charge here, so be aware that things may vary depending on the weather progression. We just had a week-long late surge of winter up north, for example, and that might have shifted things a little.
Even though they are not wildflowers, they are still spectacular, so I have included also blooming times and locations for: Wisteria, Lilacs, Tulips, Roses, Lavender, Sunflowers and Marigolds (usually to be found in farms, botanical gardens and parks).
Some wildflower viewing locations are simply along main roads, though many are within national, state or county parks. Such parks usually have websites, so you might want to check those before visiting to find out what is in bloom, when, and if there are specific access hours, regulations, entrance fees etc. that need to be considered. I will provide as many links as I can find.
Please be respectful when you visit, and remember to take with you only photos and memories.
.
.
MOSTLY END FEBRUARY
Various areas of California: Almond Tree Blossoms
Best viewing locations:
– Fresno County Blossom Trail: A 70-mile scenic drive featuring, among others, vast almond orchards
– Modesto: known for its Almond Blossom Cruise, featuring over 100,000 acres of trees
– Yolo County (Winters/Davis): with their “Yolo County Snow” effect towards the end of February and beginning of March
– Bakersfield/Shafter: mostly along Highway 99 and Coffee Road
Tips for visiting: most orchards, though viewable along main roads, are private property. Stay on public roads and do not enter the orchards or trespass in any way.
San Francisco, at the SF Botanical Garden: Magnolias
.
.
FEBRUARY INTO MARCH
Sonoma & Napa Valleys: the vineyard fields become flooded with the yellow of Wild Mustard – you can view photos I shot at sunrise right here
Big Sur – Garrapata Beach/Calla Lily Valley: wild Calla Lilies
Fresno County: Blossom Trail
Red Rock Canyon: wildflowers
Anza-Borrego State Park: wildflowers
Briones Regional Park (East Bay): California Buckeye, Ithuriel’s Spear, Monkey Flowers and more
Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve in Fremont: California Poppies, Lupines, Wild Mustard and more
.
.
MID FEBRUARY TO MID APRIL
Death Valley National Park: desert wildflowers across two states, California and Nevada
.
MARCH
Pine Flat Lake, Fresno County: California Poppies, Lupines and more
San Francisco, at the Japanese Tea Garden: Cherry Blossoms in mid-end March
San Diego, at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park: Cherry Blossoms in mid-end March
Chino Hills State Park: California Poppies in mid March
Southern California: Tulip fields, among which, but not limited to Underwood Family Farms
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve in Redwood City, hiking Edgewood’s Serpentine Trail, or Sunset Trail: wildflowers
Lake Tahoe, once the snow melts, various hotspots are Lake Forest Beach, Frederick’s Meadow, the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Meeks Bay Trail, the Big Meadow Trailhead, the Galena Waterfall and Mount Rose Loop, Winnemucca Lake, and Meiss Meadows: Sierra Tiger Lilies, Lupines, California Poppies and more
.
.
MID MARCH TO APRIL:
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: California Poppies and other wildflowers – this is a very popular location
San Marcos: Ceanothus blooms cover the whole area
Carrizo Plain National Monument: wildflowers
Walker Canyon, Lake Elsinore: California Poppies and other wildflowers – viewing location: 26907 Walker Canyon Road, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 – trailhead
Diamond Valley Lake, Wildflower Trail: California Poppies and more
Half Moon Bay, walk the Cowell-Purisima Trail or the Coastal Trail: Wild Mustard, Lupines and California Poppies
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve in La Honda; walk Russian Ridge Trail, Mindego Hill Trail or Ancient Oaks Trail: hundreds of wildflower species
Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County: Chimney Rock trail is an easy hike with abundant spring wildflowers and spectacular views of the coastline
Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais State Park, and other locations in Marin County: wildflowers all along the many trails
Yosemite National Park: assorted California wildflowers
Pinnacles National Park in Paicines: Fiddleneck, Peppergrass, Filagree, Fiesta Flower, California Poppies, Monkeyflower and more
Various locations around San Diego and Los Angeles: Wisteria
Top spots to view in San Diego:
– Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park (beautiful blooming pergola near the Koi pond)
– La Jolla Historical Society (Venturi Pergola) – located on the lower terrace of the Wisteria Cottage property
– Museum of Contemporary Art at 700 Prospect Street in La Jolla – near the portico
– Civita Park in San Diego’s Mission Valley
– University Heights, San Diego (look for wisteria along an alley on Mission Ave, btw Georgia and Florida Streets)
– Mission Hills in San Diego (another neighborhood displaying wisteria)
– Kensington neighborhood in San Diego (the alley walls along Adams Avenue)
Top spots to view around Los Angeles:
– The Huntington Library in San Marino (featuring a spectacular wisteria tunnel near the Rose Garden)
– Sierra Madre Wisteria Vine (an more-than-an-acre-wide vine which is the world’s largest blooming wisteria, the town holds an annual festival)
– Lake Balboa Park (benches covered by wisteria)
– South Coast Botanic Garden, in Palos Verdes
– Descanso Gardens, in La Cañada Flintridge
.
.
APRIL
Figueroa Mountain: California Poppies and Lupines
North Table Mountain Ecological Preserve in Oroville: California Poppies, Meadowfoam, Goosefoot Violet, Lupines, Purple Owl’s Clover and more
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area: Lupines
Point Buchon, Montaña de Oro State Park: wildflowers
Joshua Tree National Park: desert wildflowers
Mori Point, Golden Gate National Recreation Area: wildflowers and spectacular views
Mount Diablo State Park in the East Bay (of SF): wildflowers
Los Angeles County: Lilacs – best locations are: Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, which features over 400 fragrant lilac trees; Kilcoyne Lilac Farm in Acton, offering a private farm experience with over 130 varieties; as well as the Gary Parton’s Alpenglow Lilac Garden in Riverside County, which features lilacs in 165 different colors.
Note: depending on area and altitude, lilacs can bloom in to May as well
Southern California: Rose gardens peak – here is an article featuring some of the most beautiful ones
Suisun City area in Solano County + Western Railroad Museum: starting in April, Western Railroad Museum offers guided scenic tours where you can view all the glorious wildflowers spreads in Solano County’s hillsides from the vantage point of a 1900 vintage train.
.
.
MID APRIL TO MID MAY
Carlsbad Flower Fields: flower fields reach their prime in this period, and Lompoc has the biggest fields of flowers
.
MAY/JUNE
Northern California: Rose gardens peak, resource 1, resource 2, and don’t miss the Rose garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
Pacific Grove, along Oceanview Drive: Purple Ice plant
Los Angeles & San Diego: Jacaranda trees
Viewing locations in Los Angeles & Orange County:
– Pasadena: East Del Monte Street, Del Mar Boulevard, and near the Arroyo
– West Hollywood/Beverly Grove: Poinsettia Place, Fairfax Avenue, and Palm and Alta Drives near Beverly Hills
– Also: Mid Wilshire, Santa Monica, and Santa Ana (S. Garnsey Street)
Best viewing locations in San Diego:
– Balboa Park, specifically the Bankers Hill neighborhood
– Downtown, near Seaport Village, particularly around 825 W E St.
Fort Bragg/Mendocino: spectacular Rhododendrons
.
.
JUNE
Eastern Sierra: wild Iris
Congress Trail at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: Lupines
Lavender fields all over California – best viewing farms around the state:
Northern California and Bay area:
– Araceli Farms, in Dixon (open during peak season, popular for photos)
– Bees N Blooms, in Santa Rosa (featuring the largest lavender labyrinth in California)
– Cache Creek Lavender, in Rumsey (offering u-pick, lavender ice cream and lavender festival in June)
– Monte-Bellaria di California, in Sebastopol (vineyard views and farm store)
– Bywater Hollow Lavender, in Meadow Vista (u-pick and photography)
– Matanzas Creek Winery, in Sonoma Valley (stunning, terraced lavender gardens)
Central California:
– Pageo Lavender Farm, in Turlock (beautiful fields and a lavender boutique)
– Hambly Lavender Farm, in San Miguel (picturesque, fragrant fields)
– The Lavender Garden, in Lost Hills (a all round lavender destination, including a festival)
Southern California:
– 123 Farm at Highlands Springs Ranch, in Cherry Valley (20+ acres of organic lavender and an annual festival)
– Keys Creek Lavender Farm, in Valley Center (2 acres of lavender near San Diego)
– Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm, in Lompoc (very picturesque)
– BLKROBN Farms, in Ramona (u-pick, photography and events)
A couple of tips when visiting lavender farms: some require tickets and reservations, and remember that lavender attracts a lot of bees, so be prepared with appropriate clothing and all necessities if you are allergic.
.
.
AND BEYOND SPRING…
.
JULY
Mammoth Lakes in the High Sierra: wildflowers
Various locations in California: Sunflower fields
Best locations in Northern California:
– Yolo County (Woodland, Dixon, Davis): Dixon, famous for fields along Currey Road; Woodland/Winters, areas around road 89 and I-505. Specific stops: Muller Ranch in Woodland, Pedrick Produce in Dixon, and Park Winters.
Best Locations in Southern California (often blooming later than the Northern California fields):
– Hana Field, in Costa Mesa: managed by Tanaka Farms (u-pick flowers on weekends, with reservation)
A few tips for viewing sunflower fields: view from the roadside, as fields are private property; don’t trample flowers, and don’t park on private farm roads or irrigation canals; bees love sunflowers, so be cautious especially if you are allergic.
.
.
AUGUST
Bompass Trail at Lake Tahoe: Lupine, Indian Paintbrush, Columbine, Monkey Flowers, Shooting Stars
.
END OF AUGUST
San Francisco, at Golden Gate Park: Dahlias
.
.
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
All over California: Marigolds
Where to view:
– Sanchez Produce, in Santa Clarita (large, vibrant Marigold fields)
– Town of Colma, San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Peninsula, 2551 Hillside Blvd (there is a dedicated, accessible field for viewing and buying flowers)
– Fresno: Fresno Metro Ministry Community Garden, located at Poplar and Belmont Avenues; and Prestigio Flower Fields at 279 S. Brawley Avenue (a flower business with large, photo worthy Marigold displays)
– Sanger (near Fresno): A two-acre marigold farm located near McCall and Belmont Avenues features rows of marigolds where visitors can purchase fresh-cut bundles and hand-woven necklaces
– Santa Paula/Nipomo: fields along Highway 23 and in the Nipomo area (usually blooming in late fall)
– Mariquita Farms in Watsonville: U-pick marigolds, Lady Bug’s Labyrinth, hundreds of Cheri Gold Marigolds (on-line reservation required)
– Contreras Farms, outside Sacramento: 25 acres of flowers
Tips for visiting:
– peak season is before November 1, as Marigolds are usually grown for honoring loved ones who have transitioned;
– many of these locations are working family farms; be respectful of the property, stay on designated paths, and do not pick flowers without permission:
– fields can be dusty or muddy, so wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing.
.
.
Well, that was as much as I could collect, some from my own experience, some through research. If you have any more tips or locations you would like to share, either comment below for everyone’s benefit, or e-mail me. I will endeavor to keep this post updated through time.
.
.
And now, another beautiful flower event that is becoming a beloved San Francisco springtime tradition:
FLOWER BULB DAY – SAN FRANCISCO
Saturday, March 21 2026 in Union Square
Union Square is transformed for the day into a beautiful pop-up garden of 80,000 tulips in assorted colors and varieties. You are welcome to stop by and pick up your own bouquet of 6 tulips for free.
The best part being that the tulips still have their bulbs, thus can later be planted in a pot or in your garden so they can bloom again.
Bear in mind that people start lining up for this early in the morning.
This year, this event will also debut in Washington, DC
Date and Location: Sunday, March 15 at DC’s National Mall
More information at: https://flowerbulbday.com
.
As it happens, I thought that all this information would be even easier for you to access in a downloadable e-book format. So I designed one, and I am making it available for free. Just click on the image below to gain access to it!
.
If you have enjoyed this post, love flowers, gardens and nature in general, here’s more:
.
.
