{"id":297350,"date":"2026-05-03T01:52:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T01:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/297350\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T01:52:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T01:52:10","slug":"california-park-highlights-wildflowers-despite-recent-bloom-vandalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/297350\/","title":{"rendered":"California park highlights wildflowers despite recent bloom vandalism"},"content":{"rendered":"

California\u2019s dazzling wildflower season is turning into a lawless free-for-all, with vandals, selfie-chasing crowds and careless visitors<\/a> leaving destruction in their wake.<\/p>\n

And now a fresh burst of blooms is drawing even more people outdoors.<\/p>\n

Newly released video shows a sea of vivid purple lupine carpeting the Bald Hills <\/a>near the Lyons Ranch Trailhead in northern California, where the flowers are expected to last through May.\u00a0<\/p>\n

California\u2019s dazzling wildflower season is turning into a lawless free-for-all, with vandals, selfie-chasing crowds and careless visitors leaving destruction in their wake. Instagram\/@redwoodnps<\/p>\n

Newly released video shows a sea of vivid purple lupine carpeting the Bald Hills near the Lyons Ranch Trailhead in northern California, where the flowers are expected to last through May.\u00a0 Facebook\/@Maiyi Yang<\/p>\n

And without any formal trails \u2014 visitors are being warned not to crush the fragile plants and to stick to animal-made paths in areas.<\/p>\n

Officials are also pushing a strict \u201ctake only photos\u201d message, stressing that removing even a single bloom<\/a> damages the ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The late-season bloom comes as California\u2019s wildflower spectacle shifts locations.<\/p>\n

While the famous low-elevation displays in Death Valley and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park have mostly faded, higher elevations and coastal areas are now delivering the best views.<\/p>\n

And without any formal trails \u2014 visitors are being warned not to crush the fragile plants and to stick to animal-made paths in areas. Instagram\/@redwoodnps<\/p>\n

Colorful patches are still appearing in spots like Henderson Canyon Road and Red Rock Canyon State Park, thanks to weather that helped extend the season.<\/p>\n

But the surge in attention has brought a darker side.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

In Monterey County, a brazen act of vandalism hit <\/a>Garrapata State Park\u2019s Calla Lily Valley in March, where someone beheaded a bed of the iconic flowers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The location had gone viral on Instagram, drawing large crowds eager for photos.<\/p>\n

In Monterey County, a brazen act of vandalism hit Garrapata State Park\u2019s Calla Lily Valley in March, where someone beheaded a bed of the iconic flowers.\u00a0 Instagram\/@redwoodnps<\/p>\n

Farther inland, the chaos turned costly.<\/p>\n

At Dutch Hollow Farms in Modesto, owner John Bos says a flood of visitors trampled thousands of tulips.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The damage was so severe the farm shut down early, with Bos blasting guests for treating the property like a backdrop instead of a working farm.<\/p>\n

While officials haven\u2019t officially labeled 2026 a \u201csuperbloom,\u201d the state is still seeing \u201cmoderate-to-strong\u201d blooms<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t