Want to frolic in fields of beautiful flowers in Southern California? My Ultimate Southern California Spring Wildflower Guide shares all the different places to find flower fields and what you need to enjoy them!
In case you haven’t noticed in your social media feeds, spring has hit California hard! All the rain we complained about in January and February has brought us the most amazing Superbloom! There are wildflowers EVERYWHERE! So below, I’m sharing my Ultimate Southern California Spring Wildflower Guide and talking about everything you might need to enjoy Southern California’s Spring Superbloom and how you can find the flower fields!
Reminder: if you visit any wildflower fields whether they are paid, unpaid, on parkland, or just a hill off the side of a road, please respect nature by sticking to trails, not stepping on flowers, don’t litter, don’t pick flowers, etc. Basically, don’t be an asshole. In all of my photos, I’ve stuck to the trails when on parkland and if I’m not on parkland, then I stuck to dirt paths and did NOT step on any flowers or disturb any plants. And remember, it is NOT okay to pick wildflowers, you can read about the legalities of picking wildflowers here.
The Ultimate Southern California Spring Wildflower Guide
First off, before you head out the door in search of pretty blooms, pack a bag! A lot of these wildflower fields are a moderate drive from the center of Los Angeles, so be sure to take some things with you! In your bag, pack some sunscreen (I linked my favorite), bug spray, water, snacks, camera, hat, and a light jacket or sweater.
Most of these wildflower spots have little to no shade, so sunscreen and a hat are both musts! And with all the flowers, you get bugs! If you’re out at dusk during the magic twilight hour, that means mosquitos, so make sure to bring some bug spray. Water and snacks are pretty self-explanatory. You need to keep that Instagram husband hydrated and fed! Bring a camera so you can get some cute snaps for Instagram! The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve gets some winds and the Flower Fields in Carlsbad is near the ocean, so dress in layers and bring a light jacket or sweater in case you need it.
Also, while all the flowers are pretty, they’ve brought something new to complain about: allergies! The pollen count is high, and with the Santa Ana winds kicking up, allergy relief is a necessity. So if you suffer from pollen allergies, be sure to take some allergy medication the night before or the morning of your flower adventure!
Ok, so you’ve packed a bag, but where are you going? Here’s my ultimate list to the wildflowers and flower fields in Southern California:
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Ok, so these flowers aren’t wild, but the Flower Fields in Carlsbad are still an impressive sight and very much worth visiting!
Like the Flower Fields, Clairmont Farms Lavender isn’t wild, but it’s still worth a visit if you’re in the area.
And here are a few that I haven’t made it to yet, but my friends’ photos all look stunning and I can’t wait to go! Be sure to check out the links and any updated official information before you go because I know that Walker Canyon has shut down their entrance in the past due to too many people trampling the flowers!
- Anza Boreggo Desert State Park
- Walker Canyon Poppies, Lake Elsinore (Possibly closed, check the website for updated information.)
- Joshua Tree
- Gorman Hills Flower Fields
And if wildflowers aren’t your thing, here’s a list of a few amazing Los Angeles (and beyond) gardens and farms with flowers in bloom right now!
- Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens
- Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
- Descanso Gardens
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
- California Botanic Garden
- Keys Creek Lavender Farm in San Diego. (Opens to the public in May when the fields bloom.)
- Almond Tree Farms in Arvin, CA
- Lompoc Flower Fields
- Greenwood Garden
- Otto & Sons Nursery
Have fun!
