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12 Spectacular Spots To See SoCal Spring Wildflowers

Updated for 2023

You know Spring is in the air when we’re planning day trips to check out the newest blooms of spring wildflowers. It’s a perfect time to plan a family outing to view the majestic colors in person. While there may not be a Super Bloom like years past, wildflowers are still blooming and still beautiful!

This year, with all the rain we’ve had, it’s very possible we’ll see a SuperBloom, with acres of wildflowers all up and down the coast.

The California State Parks website has up-to-date information on the Spring Wildflowers bloom – and they even have a PoppyCam (see below) for checking out the state of the bloom in the Antelope Valley virtually.

Pro Tip: The bloom usually happens from South to North, so check out the Southern-most spots first. Once there’s a bloom happening near san Diego, it should roll up the State after that.

where to see wildflowers in southern California

Where to See Wildflowers and the Spring Bloom in Southern California

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008

On the 50 acres that comprise The Flower Fields, you’ll find a rainbow of color awaiting you as you marvel at the display of ranunculus. Children will also enjoy Santa’s Playground, the Sweet Pea Maze, and for an additional fee, open-air antique tractor wagon rides. Check the website for information about upcoming special events. The Fields are open from March through May, and you must pre-purchase tickets online.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
15101 Lancaster Rd., Lancaster, CA

Here you’ll find “California’s most consistent poppy-bearing land.” Additionally, visitors may spot “fiddlenecks, slender keel fruits, red maids, and forget-me-nots” blooming as well. Remember, poppies open up during mid-morning and curl back up during late afternoon/evening and when the temperature is colder. Take your time, exploring among the eight miles of trails, and be sure to visit the Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center if your visit coincides with their open dates.

Check the weather and the Official Antelope Valley PoppyCam before you go.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
200 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California. Check the website before you go to determine the status of wildflowers in bloom and whether any of the Park’s facilities are open. 

Click here to read about all the Best Botanical Gardens in SoCal

Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Dr., Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

“Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park.” Families may find wildflowers blooming now at certain elevations, with desert regions above 5,000-feet having blooms as late as June. The “when” and “where” of wildflower blooming in Joshua Tree vary from year to year. Be sure to visit the website for the latest updates as well as information on the other activities offered at Joshua Tree including hiking and bird-watching. There’s also a link to the “citizen- scientist” website that tracks the wildflower bloom in real time.

Carrizo Plain National Monument
17495 Soda Lake Rd., California Valley, CA 93453

North of Los Angeles, in the Central Valley, you’ll find the Carrizo Plain National Monument, sometimes described as “one of the best kept secrets in California.” Families will see Soda Lake, one of the most dominant geographic features in the area. Wildflowers can tend to “carpet the valley floor” and are quite a sight to see. Keep in mind that Carrizo Plain is located in a more remote area and no services (water, food, fuel) are located nearby. Check the website before visiting for wildflower updates. 

Related: Farms to pick your own fruit in SoCal.

Catalina Island
boat rides departing from San Pedro and/or Long Beach

Whether you go just for the day, or decide to make it a little vacation, it’s worth taking a trip to Catalina to check out wildflower season there. Catalina Conservancy recommends a guided tour of the interior so you can see and experience the rainbow of beauty that is present in the blooming flowers. Wildflower season generally lasts through May. 

Death Valley National Park
(there is no specific street address but many GPS users have success using the address for the nearby post office which is 328 Greenland Blvd., Death Valley, CA 92328)

While Death Valley may be most famous for its extreme temperatures and its designation as the “hottest, driest, and lowest national park,” wildflowers may be seen throughout in different areas of the park. You may see wildflowers resembling a “sea of gold, purple, pink, or white flowers.” Some years blossoms are fewer than others, but they are almost never completely absent from the park. Check the website for the most up-to-date information on the wildflower blooms as it becomes available.

Read: How to Celebrate Earth Day in Los Angeles

Point Mugu State Park
9000 W. Pacific Coast highway, Malibu, CA 90265

Point Mugu State Park is a pretty spot to visit year-round. Located within the Santa Monica Mountains, Point Mugu State Park features five miles of ocean shoreline and incredible views. You won’t run out of things to do at this picturesque site including wildflower-blooming, hiking, and swimming.

wild red flowers in the desert

Paramount Ranch
2903 Cornell Rd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301

In the 1920s, Paramount Pictures purchased 2700 acres of the Rancho Las Virgenes to be used as a “movie ranch.” In 1980, the National Park Service revitalized a portion of the movie ranch. Today families can go exploring, hiking, and wildflower-viewing on the same land that has been used as the setting in many film and television shows, including Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Kids will enjoy seeing what looks like an authentic Western Town, and families will appreciate that there are places to enjoy a nice relaxing picnic.

Related: Family-Friendly Easter Events in Los Angeles

Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center
1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena, CA 91107

At the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, you’ll find the Eaton Canyon Natural Area. Among its 190 acres, families will enjoy picnic areas, hiking trails, and wildflowers. While closer to L.A., this particular area can get a bit crowded. The Nature Center also offers animal presentations, bird walks, nature walks, and more. 

Linden H. Chandler Preserve
Palos Verdes Dr. N. and Dapple Gray Lane, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

The Linden H. Chandler Preserve is a part of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. The Chandler Preserve is described as being both family-friendly and a good spot to view wildflowers. You may spot a variety of native wildflowers and shrubs (including the common fiddleneck, Western tansy mustard, and longleaf bush lupine) as well as small wildlife (native birds and insects). See if you can spot the endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly during your exploration time.

Malibu Bluffs Open Space
24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

There are 84 acres within Malibu Bluffs Open Space. Families will enjoy majestic ocean views, several trails, wildlife viewing, and spring wildflowers in bloom. In addition, Malibu Bluffs Open Space is adjacent to Malibu Bluffs Park which features baseball diamonds, restrooms, and a children’s play structure.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite seeing wildflowers, enjoy some of these delicious Easter Brunch Recipes!

Wild Flower Hill
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley, CA 91352

The Theodore Payne Foundation site includes a retail nursery, demonstration garden, picnic area, seed and book store, and Wild Flower Hill. Wildflower Hill is a 3/4-mile-trail that is ideal for leisurely strolls, birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and flower viewing. If you spot something that you can’t identify, be sure to take a photo and then ask one of the nursery sales associates for help in identifying it. (You can also check their hotline for information on the best spots to view wildflowers around Southern California.)

wildflowers in the socal desert

MomsLA is your source for Things to do with Kids in Los Angeles

Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).

Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

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