California Superblooms
- Jennifer Chung
- Jun 28, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 29, 2023
California will always be my favorite place in the world. There is so much beauty around every corner just waiting to be discovered, and just when you think California could not get any more breathtaking, it manages to find a way to do so. Every handful of years that passes brings the rare occurrence of heavy rains and superblooms. California's superblooms are a captivating spectacle of nature, where wildflowers paint the landscape in vibrant hues as far as the eye can see, bursting with wildflowers like poppies and lupines. These extraordinary displays of floral abundance are a visual treat for visitors and locals alike. The superblooms of California create breathtaking panoramas, inviting all to witness (and smell) the fleeting beauty of nature's perfect masterpiece.
(Pro Tip: If anyone you are traveling with has allergies, please plan accordingly. Expect lots and lots of pollen.)
2019
Walker Canyon (Lake Elsinore):
Following the winter rains of 2019, California was blooming with life. The hills surrounding Lake Elsinore were blanketed with poppies as far as the eye could see, but with fields of poppies came seas of people. The I-15 near this area was jammed with traffic, all heading to see the poppies blooming on the side of the freeway. It was worthwhile in my opinion, since it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thanks to the 2019 superbloom, this area was completely closed off in 2023 following the heavy rains. I have a feeling that if there is ever another bloom like this again, they will do the same thing. If you are an avid hiker, I am sure there are ways to access these hills the next time a superbloom comes around, so keep your eyes peeled for the next opportunity.
Joshua Tree National Park:
(Pictured: Photos from 2019 superbloom in Joshua Tree National Park.)
Joshua Tree National Park is worth a visit on a normal day, so when I heard that Joshua Tree National Park was blooming, we ended up driving out there the next day. When we first entered the park from the West Entrance, there were no flowers to be seen. However, as we drove through the park and made our way up to the North Entrance, the desert was suddenly full of color. Joshua Tree has not bloomed like this since 2019, however, if you hear that it is blooming, it is 100% worth the trek to go see it. While you are in Joshua Tree National Park, see my post about other things to do during your visit:
2023
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park:
(Pictured: Photos from 2023 superbloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.)
Following the endless rains of winter 2023, California was once again bursting with life. In 2019, I did not have the chance to go to Anza-Borrego and I told myself I would be sure to go if it was ever blooming again. Sure enough, the time (and rains) finally came, so we loaded up the car and headed out to the desert for the day; it was absolutely breathtaking. The desert marigold and sand verbana conquered the usually barren landscape. How can you not appreciate such life in such a desolate place? There is something so magical about a superbloom in the middle of the desert.
(Pro Tip: There are lots of bugs, mostly small grasshoppers, when the desert is blooming. If you have kids that own a bug catcher, this is your opportunity to bring it out and make use of it!)
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve (Lancaster):
(Pictured: 2023 superbloom in Lancaster, CA.)
99% of the time, Lancaster is a brown and ugly place that you typically see in passing on your way to greater things. It's one of those places you think, "Gosh, what do they do out here?" However, Lancaster is home to the Antelope Valley Poppy reserve, and when the season is just right, this town is suddenly blanketed in a sea of orange.
During the superbloom of 2023, the poppy reserve itself was not particularly blooming. Most of the flowers were off of Avenue G, littering the empty fields as far as the eye could see. The most traffic was still near the poppy reserve, however, so be sure you do some research before making the trek out there once it starts blooming again.
I have been to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve a handful of times outside of the superbloom season, and it is still a lovely place to visit if you wanted to look at some flowers. They have a live camera so you can see if anything is actually blooming before you make the drive out there as well.
For this excursion, I decided to get a hotel room in Lancaster so I could go out to Carrizo Plains the next day, and I could not recommend Oxford Suites more highly. The rooms were clean and the hotel provided a free drink, evening snack, and a wonderful full breakfast the next morning.
(Pictured: Balcony view and room key from Oxford Suites, Lancaster.
(Pro Tip: If you find yourself all the way in Lancaster, be sure to drive over the musical road at least once. I just so happened to drive over it unexpectedly and was pleasantly surprised to hear the road playing music.)
Carrizo Plain National Monument:
(Pictured: 2023 superbloom at Carrizo Plains National Monument.)
The superbloom that happened at the Carrizo Plains National monument made national news, and the bloom was so abundant that photos could be taken from space. I could not help but plan a trip out to go see it. Not only were the plains themselves bursting with color and life, but the enrite drive from Lancaster to Carrizo Plains was littered with lupines and poppies, the air was pungent and sweet with the smell of pollen. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life. I found myself stopping on the side of the road often just to take in the sights and smells around me.
(Pro Tip: I was traveling by myself and wanted to drive on Soda Lake Road all the way to the boardwalk and out to San Luis Obispo. I ended up turning around. I would not recommend this trek alone, or without a vehicle that is made for off-roading. I believe I could have made it in my Toyota Rav-4, but I did not want to risk getting stranded. Also note that there is no phone service once you hit the dirt road.)
Superblooms in California are a rare and spectacular occurrence. If you find yourself lucky enough to be in California during a superbloom season, be sure you seize the opportunity to view the magnificence with your own eyes. Oh, and don't forget to stop and smell the roses, or whatever it is that's blooming!
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