Rain, sunlight, and a host of meteorological considerations swirl around the sometimes subtle and sometimes spectacular California wildflower season.
But one predictable element, an occurrence that returns at the start of each calendar year, is this: Flower fans will earnestly wonder what sort of season might be ahead for the California poppies, goldenrods, brittlebrushes, and fiddleheads that sprout up in remote, wild, and arid places.
California State Parks released an optimistic outlook for the desert state parks on Jan. 23, with a few words that should help hopes to rise high: A “moderate-to-strong” wildflower run may be just ahead for a few gorgeous Golden State locations.
Some spots are already in the (early) swing of things: Both Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Red Rock Canyon State Park are “… beginning to burst with color,” with an expectation that visitors will enjoy “… vibrant blooms in the weeks and months ahead.”
Other parks on the “flowers may be especially lovely” list include Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park in Lancaster and Chino Hills State Park.
The team behind the Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve shared its upbeat expectations for 2026 in a social media post in early January.
Poppy Cam will give poppy-loving people a live look at the expansive area, but any big blooms won’t occur before the middle of March, if they do happen (and April is when the peak poppy performance tends to take place, though conditions, of course, can vary).
Is your favorite state park on the roster? Check out what to expect in the wildflower-filled weeks coming up and how to “safely enjoy this natural phenomenon” by visiting the California State Parks online hub.
Pictured: A bloom from a previous year is seen in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.