Historically, California has experienced what has been called a “super bloom” every ten years. Despite the persistent drought in our beautiful state, we have been lucky enough to have a couple of very wet years between the heat and sunshine. There was a super bloom in 2017 and again in 2019. Experts say the Spring of 2023 should give us another opportunity to revel in the glorious bursts of color!
A super bloom occurs when the conditions are exactly right: there must be the perfect mix of rainfall paired with the right amount of sunshine, all at the right time. And, by all accounts, we are in for a treat this spring. Native wildflowers lie dormant in the soil for years as a result of California’s drought conditions. When the rain comes, followed by sunshine, the wildflowers bloom all at once, creating colorful carpets of flowers. Believe it or not, deserts are one of the best places to see a super bloom. While it is difficult to predict where the “best” sites will be, there are a few places that are a good bet to have flowers.
My favorite place to see wildflowers is Anza Borrego State Park located in the Southern California desert. It’s a road trip well worth the miles. There are some fun mid-century-style motels in Borrego Springs, which is an excellent spot to start your wildflower tour. There are also campgrounds if you want to go that route. I recommend following the Facebook page “Anza-Borrego Wildflowers Guide.” They always have tips on what colors are blooming and where, and the page is updated daily.
Plan a night or two at Joshua Tree National Park if you decide to make the So Cal desert road trip. When the super bloom happens, it adds another dimension of beauty to this stunning park. This once-desolate park has become trendy, so make sure you have reservations. Gorgeous sunsets and California poppies are guaranteed to fill the camera roll on your phone.
Adding to the list of desert locales, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is a great destination for those seeking a colorful landscape. Purple, yellow, and gold flowers cover the hillsides of this desert community in the northern end of Los Angeles County. Vehicles are not allowed in the park, but there are miles of trails, so bring your walking shoes.
One year on spring break, I took my kids to camp in Death Valley National Park, the flowers were spectacular. Something about the desert’s starkness and the flowers’ fragility makes for a breathtaking backdrop. There are campgrounds and a few hotels in the park. If you take an RV, there is only one campground with hookups, so plan accordingly!
Carrizo Plain is a spot that should be on your list. Located about two and a half hours from Monterey, this location should get more attention. If you have a four-wheel vehicle, there are dirt roads you can follow to get away from the crowds. But be sure to stay on the trails. If you want to stay the night in the area, there is a sweet little motel in New Cuyama on Highway 166 called Cuyama Oaks. Offering mid-century charm in a small roadside motel, with gourmet-quality food at the restaurant on the grounds, it’s perfect for any length stay and great for families.
As you can see, most well-known destinations to see the super bloom are south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. But a popular spot to see the flowers in the northern half of the state is Lassen Volcanic National Park. While the desert locations experience the most colorful bloom in March, Lassen is at a higher elevation and has snow on the ground well into spring.
So the bloom there happens later than in other popular spots. Late April into May will still have beautiful blooms to see. Although this national park is not as popular as Yosemite or Yellowstone, it is a hidden gem. Lassen is a beautiful place to hike and go sightseeing, one of my “gotta go again someday” spots!
Lastly, another Northern California spot I have read about – but never visited – is Mount Diablo State Park. A little over three hours from Monterey, the abundance of hiking trails and camping make this a great weekend destination.
Wherever you choose to view the super bloom, please follow the commonsense suggestions on the next page. It’s up to all of us to preserve the beauty of nature.
Tricia Vlasak works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on adventures with her grandchildren. Tricia received a Gold Award for personal essay from Parenting Media Association in 2022.