10 Places to See Wildflowers in the West

 Super flowers may or may not exist, but Southern California and Arizona are guaranteed a big crop of spring blossoms thanks to the winter's moisture and snow.

There is a silver lining, or rather, a rainbow of colors, to the winter's harsh weather that has plagued the West: the promise of weeks and months filled with wildflowers, especially in Southern and Central California and Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

The wildflower bloom is expected to be good to better than average, according to Jorge Moreno, a communications officer for California State Parks. According to Michelle Thompson, the director of communications for Arizona State Parks and Trails, the east has comparable favorable conditions.

There have been rumors of a "super bloom" this spring as a result of the winter's rains, akin to the wildflower frenzy that covered the California and Arizona deserts in the winter and spring of 2019.

There is only one issue with that, according to Ana Beatriz Cholo, a spokeswoman for the Pacific West region of the National Park System: "There is no universally accepted definition of a super bloom by the scientific community." She added that some definitions only focus on desert blooms, while others simply refer to an above-average profusion of spring blooms. However, most people will concur that a mega bloom refers to an especially vibrant and vast display of wildflowers brought on by heavy and timely rains.

The bottom line: The spring of 2023 is expected to be particularly exceptional for wildflowers. Super-bloom levels will be reached in some areas, but they won't likely be as common as they were in 2019.

Be prepared for crowded situations at some wildflower locations, and be sure to follow leave-no-trace guidelines by staying on paths and roads that have been designated for that purpose, packing away any rubbish, and avoiding trampling or picking flowers in your pursuit of the ideal shot. Walker Canyon, a popular tourist area in Lake Elsinore, California, is temporarily inaccessible to visitors due to damage sustained during the 2019 super bloom.

For bloom information in Southern and Central California, call the Theodore Payne Foundation Wildflower Hotline. California and Arizona each offer up-to-date wildflower reports for respective state parks. Visit park websites for all destinations while organizing your trip for further information on flower updates, safety advice, and other topics.

Here are 10 places to visit in California and Arizona that are known for their blooms, arranged roughly from north to south in each state.

California

National Monument in Carrizo Plain

What: With hillside daisies, baby blue eyes, and phacelia already in bloom and more to come, Carrizo Plain National Monument, a patch of grassland in the middle of Central California just over an hour from San Luis Obispo, is shaping up to have an especially stunning year for wildflowers.

When: Although there are currently plenty of blooms to be seen, park managers anticipate the flowers' peak bloom to occur in the upcoming weeks and persist through the month, depending on the weather. For updates on the park's flowers and the state of its roads—some of which have been made inaccessible by recent storms—visit its website and social media pages.

The Poppy Reserve in Antelope Valley

What: An hour and a half north of Los Angeles, brilliant orange California poppies, filaree, and goldfields bloom in the Mojave Desert's grasslands.

When: Poppies are currently in flower, and more are expected in the upcoming weeks; the reserve will likely have to bloom from early to mid-May. Use the park's live poppy cam to view the most recent bloom status, but drive carefully on Lancaster Road as erratic driving and unexpected photo stops are to be expected, according to the park's website.

National Park of the Channel Islands

What: Accessible through a one- to four-hour boat voyage with a park service contractor or private watercraft, this magnificent group of islands off the coasts of Oxnard and Ventura is a destination for completely unexplored nature. Look for big coreopsis, blue dicks, goldfields, and lupines.

When: Because each island has a distinct habitat, the bloom date varies among the five islands. While San Miguel Island should bloom in early May, Santa Barbara Island is anticipated to bloom from mid-April to early May. For more information, go to websites devoted to islands.

National Recreation Area of the Santa Monica Mountains

What: The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which hugs the California coast north of Malibu and is easily accessible from Los Angeles, is anticipating a sort of super bloom with a wide variety of flowers, including white popcorn flowers, cream chaparral yucca flowers, purple lupines, and more.

When: The mountains, which are lush and green from the heavy rains, are already bursting with blooms like poppies, sunflowers, and Mariposa lilies. With certain higher elevation locations continuing to bloom into the summer, expect flowers to reach their peak this month and into May. For updates, see the park's What's Blooming newsletter.

State Park at Chino Hills

What: Chino Hills State Park, an hour's drive east of Los Angeles in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, is well-known for its hills covered in orange California poppies as well as black mustard, school bells, Canterbury bells, and arroyo lupine.

When: Springtime at the park. Expect to see blooms from early to mid-May. For information on flowers and park updates, visit the park's website; recent storms have resulted in numerous trail closures.

National Monument at Cabrillo

What: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States, and the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego commemorates that moment. Visitors to the park can seek bush sunflowers, Indian paintbrushes, sea dahlias, and other flowers there. It is located on the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula.

When: Blooms are about to reach their height. Use the park's plant field guide to learn more, or download a specialized app. Dedicated wildflower lovers can volunteer in parks and aid in the preservation and propagation of native plants. (email to learn more).

Park in the Anza-Borrego Desert

What: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the biggest state park in California, is two hours east of San Diego and a popular spot for seeing wildflowers. Desert primrose, desert sunflowers, and blooming cacti are just a few of the California blossoms made possible by the arid climate.

When: Due to the immensity of the park, different areas see varying levels of precipitation. Pockets of flowers will be present throughout the park during the spring and into the first part of the summer. For updates and pictures of the wildflowers, visit the park's website.

Lost Dutchman State Park of Arizona

What: Named after a fabled, lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located 40 miles east of Phoenix at the foot of the Superstition Mountains. Here, you may see a variety of stunning desert flowers, such as chuparosa, lupines, fiddlenecks, and Patagonia lilies.

When: In the middle of March, the park began to bloom. The park's Facebook page posts updates every week.

State Park near Picacho Peak

What: Picacho Peak State Park saw a true super bloom in March, with blankets of yellow poppies and purple lupines streaming down the mountain, located about 75 miles south of Phoenix and 40 miles north of Tucson.

When: Although the big bloom is over and the poppies are fading, there will still be a lot of flowers in bloom in the coming weeks.

Park Catalina State

What: Located just outside of Tucson, Catalina State Park is a year-round destination for cacti and desert plants, which are especially magnificent in bloom. It is nestled at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

When: This park's floral displays were somewhat delayed by the cold weather, but they are already beginning to bloom seriously. For the most recent info, go to the park's Facebook page.