Winter showers will bring spring flowers for several state parks in California, and it may be easier than ever to see the superblooms.
State officials have predicted moderate to strong wildflower blooms across California this year following widespread rainfall during the fall and winter, according to California State Parks.
“Wildflower growth depends on a delicate mix of weather factors, including rain and its timing, amount of sunlight, seasonal temperature patterns, and wind,” State Parks wrote in its forecast. “Depending on the region and weather, the peak bloom season typically begins in mid-February onward.”
Currently, some colors have already been spotted in both the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is northeast of San Diego, and the Red Rock Canyon State Park, which sits north of Los Angeles. The agency added additional parks are expected to “display vibrant blooms in the weeks and months ahead.”
Visitors can expect to see a variety of flowers, including sand verbena, desert poppies, primroses, desert sunflowers, apricot mallow, and more.
Beyond these, the California state parks that are expected to see good wildflower blooms this year include the:
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural ReserveArthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State ParkChino Hills State ParkEastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation AreaHungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation AreaSaddleback Butte State Park
Visitors to any wildflower site should ensure they explore responsibly, staying on designated trails and taking care not to tread on the blooms or pick any flowers. Park goers should also drink enough water to remain hydrated during their visit, make sure their vehicle has enough gas or electric charge since many parks are located in remote locations, and check weather conditions prior to going.
For the most up-to-date information on the wildflower blooms, travelers can check the dedicated California State Parks website or download the OuterSpatial smartphone app for updated maps and information.
As a bonus, travelers flying out from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) may get a glimpse of color since the terminal boasts fields along the runway, which have been known to sprout wildflowers, according to the airport. And this is a recurring phenomenon, NBC4 Los Angeles reported, which an LAX spokesperson called “one of the most unexpected and natural attractions” to occur at the international airport.
Travelers who can’t make it to California in time to see the colorful displays can watch them online thanks to a live webcam that shows current conditions from the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve.