California’s About to Bloom—Here’s Where to Go

Although the growth may not be as dramatic as last year’s post-deluge splendor, we still should expect a gorgeous display of California wildflowers from March to late-May.

According to Travel + Leisure, “The California Poppy is the rockstar of West Coast blooms—lightly scented, easy to spot, and graced with broad petals in various shades of orange, red, white, gold, and pink. It proliferates in vast quantities across meadows and hillsides all over the state of California. To see it, all you have to do is get out and drive.”

Here are few of the best places to see California burst into spring.

Carrizo Plain National Monument

“Seventy-five miles inland from San Luis Obispo, these beautifully unspoiled grasslands are some of the largest in California, and remain a well-loved destination for wildflower spotting. Expect plenty of California poppies, owl’s clover, and jewelflower budding across the vast terrain, while the white alkali flats and “painted rock” make for an interesting backdrop.”

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

“Antelope Valley remains southern California’s trusted destination for glorious, uninterrupted poppy displays. While reports are still vague about this year’s turnout, recent rains have sparked hope that there will be a flower show after all.”

North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve

“One of northern California’s best loved spring jaunts offers sweeping fields of orange, purple, and white flowers. The 3,200-acre state-managed land yields plenty of wildflowers from April to mid-May, including the usual suspects like lupine, poppies, blue dicks, purple owl’s clover, and larkspur (more than 100 different kinds in all).”

Get more flower-friendly destinations here.