Poppy Fields

What’s poppin’? Haven’t you heard? All the rains that pummeled California in the last few months have created a superbloom of wildflowers!So the mister and I drove up to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve to see them! The last time I went, I was a baby. I’ll see if my mom can turn up some of those photos and, if so, I’ll post them below.

To get to the fields, it’s a little more than hour and a half drive from LA. Instead of taking the freeway (either the 5 or the 14), we took some back roads and drove through the Angeles Forest which was way more fun! (Directions below.) Plus, it was neat to turn a corner and look down into the valley and see the acres of vibrant orange fields! So cool! Also, there was an adorable little diner along the way called the Heart and Soul Cafe. Had we known about it, we would have stopped for lunch!

Inside the reserve, you need to stay on the trails in order to not trample the poppies and other plants AND to keep from getting bit! There was really cute little boy who was scared that he was going to get bit by a rattlesnake, so his dad had to reassure him that there were SO many people on the trails, that the snakes were scared away. We went on a Friday and there were a lot of people, but it wasn’t terrible. I’m sure the weekend is worse.

But outside the reserve, I took a little detour and frolicked amongst the poppies! Oh, and it can get super windy out in the Antelope Valley, so be sure to dress in layers and bring a light sweater or jacket and maybe hot glue a chin strap onto your hat! I almost lost mine a few times.

There are SO many trails out there! We had a late start that day, so we didn’t get out to the fields until around noon, plus there was a 15-20 minute line of cars waiting to pay and park ($10 per car) which wasn’t bad, but had I known how amazing the hiking looked, I would have worn proper shoes and gone a bit earlier to hit the trails. I’m hoping to go again soon.

To get to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, head north on the 5, exit McBean Pkwy, turn left on Copper Hill Dr., turn left on San Francisquito Canyon Road, turn right to STAY on San Francisquito Canyon Road, (Stop at the Heart and Soul Coffee House), turn left on Elizabeth Lake Road, turn left to stay on Elizabeth Lake Road, turn right on Munz Ranch Road, turn left on Lancaster Road and continue until you see the driveway for the reserve.