Looking for the best hiking trails to check out the 2023 California Wildflower Superbloom?
It’s that time of year again! What time is that? SUPERBLOOM TIME!
Check out our latest video and read our article to find out more about this year’s superbloom event.
What is a superbloom?
A superbloom occurs when a large number of wildflowers bloom at the same time, creating a spectacular display of colors and scents. It is a rare occurrence, happening only once every few years, and is usually triggered by a combination of factors such as heavy rainfall, warm weather, and low human activity.
Why are superblooms special in California?
Superbloooms are unique in California for a couple of reasons. First, a few factors need to be set in place for a superbloom event to begin. California always has the warm weather required to produce a superbloom every year. Heavy rainfall is also needed to jumpstart the superbloom in the spring. Lucky for us Californians, we received heavy rainfall this winter. All of that snow still packed up in the mountains is setting up the perfect superbloom time bomb. As all that snow melts in valleys and meadows throughout the spring, it will cause an immense growth of wildflowers throughout California.
Secondly, California has a rich diversity of wildflowers. There are about 6,000 species of wildflowers that are native only to California. Therefore these wildflowers cannot be found anywhere else in the world. These include lupine, wild mustard, and California Poppy.
What are the best places to see the Superbloom this year?
We have organized a wildflower tour based on the best Superbloom spots from the last event in 2019. We have also organized our list by month so you can make the most of this special event by planning your trips. As it is with every Superbloom event, there will be fierce competition for parking, so make sure to get out there early.
February
Fresno Blossom Trail
In February, you can visit the Fresno Blossom Trail. Many fruit trees bloom from mid-February to early March, and almond flowers are the most impressive.
There is a map of the Fresno Blossom Trail, and you can download it on your google map. You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables from farmer’s markets or street corner stalls.
Point Dume State Beach
Another great spot to hike in February is Point Dume State Beach. The yellow flower known as Coreopsis blooms here. While walking on a gentle hiking trail for about an hour, you can see the beautiful coastline and seal families resting, and, if you’re lucky, whales swimming. The best time to visit is from mid-February to the end of March.
March
Chino Hills State Park
March is when wildflowers are at their peak, and many hills are covered with wildflowers in full bloom.
Chino Hills State Park is one of the best spots to see the Superbloom in 2023. Chino Hills State Park covers 14,000 acres, and many wildflowers bloom in spring. It is a natural haven for outdoor activities with over 60 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and campsites. Predominantly yellow mustard blooms throughout the park, and many colorful flowers, such as orange poppies, purple lupines, and canterbury bells.
Walker Canyon
Another great location is Walker Canyon near Lake Elsinore, where you can see wildflowers, including California poppies. But remember, due to traffic and safety issues, hiking trails are closed for the wildflower season of 2023.
Diamond Valley Lake
Diamond Valley Lake is an essential source of drinking water for Moreno Valley and the surrounding area. During super blooms here, the ridges are covered with wildflowers that turn yellow and orange. There is a parking fee when entering the lake. The best time to visit is from early March to early April.
Tejon Ranch
Tejon Ranch, a private property, is another excellent spot with white popcorn flowers, purple lupines, yellow fiddleneck, and orange poppies blooming harmoniously. The best time to visit is from early March to early April.
Carrizo Plain
At 250,000 acres, the Carrizo Plain is known as California’s most extensive grassland. In spring, wildflowers bloom mainly gold fields that color the meadows and ridges yellow. A large lake called Soda Lake is in the middle of the plain. It’s usually a dry lake covered with white powder, but when there’s heavy rainfall, it turns into a large lake full of blue waves. There are incredibly many wildflowers blooming around the lake here. The best time to visit is from early March to early April.
Shell Creek Road
If you drive west along Route 58 from Carrizo Plain for about 45 minutes, you’ll reach Shell Creek Road, a private property known as Canyon Ranch or Avenales Ranch. Along Shell Creek Road, many colorful wildflowers bloom, like purple lupines, owl clover, baby blue eye, and buttercups. The fields are filled with natural colors. With plenty of space, many people park here and enjoy picnicking and viewing the wildflower fields. The visiting season is the month of March.
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
Next is Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. This Poppy Sanctuary in Lancaster is very famous for its fields of traditional orange poppies.
Along with poppies, blue dicks, purple lupines, and yellow fiddlenecks dot the expansive fields. Follow the seven miles of hiking trails to explore the Poppy Reserve or enjoy the flowers in the fields outside the park. The best time to visit is from early March to mid-April.
April
Malibu Creek State Park
April is the time when many flowers are in full bloom. Depending on the region, some areas achieve the highest peak in April.
Once an outdoor set for 20th Century Fox, Malibu Creek State Park is home to grassy hills and provides a cozy and tranquil atmosphere. Hiding the main road in the park’s center takes about two to three hours. A lot of blue lupines bloom here. And orange poppies are also often seen. Even if there are few flowers, there are many exciting things to see, such as movie shooting locations. The best time to visit is mid-March to mid-April.
Solstice Canyon
Solstice Canyon in Malibu is home to yellow mustard flowers. It takes about 2 hours to go around 3 miles of hiking trail, but mustard flowers are in full bloom above the entrance, so you can enjoy them without hiking. Wildflower season here is from mid-March to mid-April
Anza Borrego State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Death Valley National Park
Wildflowers also bloom in Anza Borrego State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Death Valley National Park. Because the area is so vast, you should check the information on the related website well before visiting.
Desert USA
There is a site called Desert USA that constantly updates its database with California and Western wildflower information. I highly recommend that you check out this online resource if you are interested in learning more about wildflowers.
Enjoy a fun outing with your family and friends while capturing the beautiful scenery of this year’s amazing Superbloom. Safe travels and thank you.
