What is a superbloom? Where are the best places to see it in California?
The abundant rainfall that has drenched the Golden State is helping to provide the right conditions for an explosion of colors from a wildflower superbloom.
A series of atmospheric rivers over the past few seasons has brought much needed water to California. Those drenching rains also provided a key ingredient for landscapes across the Golden State to experience an explosion of color as wildflowers bloom en masse.
“Again, we have the right conditions for an excellent wildflower viewing season across California,” says the Theodore Payne Foundation, a non-profit that posts weekly updates on what is blooming and where. The peak season to view wildflowers in Southern California runs from March to late-April, even into May depending on weather conditions and terrain.
What is a superbloom? Where are the best places to see it in California?
A superbloom is essentially when an abundance of wildflowers bloom all at once painting the landscape with a vivid palate of colors. The spectacle can be enjoyed at a number of locations both urban and wild across the Golden State. Some of the best places to check out wildflowers in the state are as follows according to California.com:
Southern California
- Murrieta (Southeast of Los Angeles)
- Joshua Tree National Park (East of Los Angeles)
Superblooms
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Northeast of San Diego)
- Walker Canyon, Lake Elsinore (Southeast of Los Angeles)
- Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (North of Los Angeles)
- Point Dume Natural Preserve (West of Los Angeles)
- Chino Hills State Park (East of Los Angeles)
Northern California
- Calero County Park (South of San Jose)
- Briones Regional Park (Northeast of Oakland)
Superblooms
- Sunol Regional Wilderness (East of Fremont)
- Mount Diablo State Park (East of Oakland)
Weather conditions will dictate how the wildflower season develops each year, even despite the heavy rains that have soaked California. Temperatures need to remain mild, a sudden heatwave could bring it to an end in a matter of days. Likewise more excessive rains could also dampen the explosion of a superbloom.
It’s recommendable to check the weekly reports from the Theodore Payne Wild Flower Hotline before jumping in the car to visit one of the above mentioned wildflower hotspots or others that may be providing an extra special sight to behold.
You can read the print-out version or listen to the wildflower reports, which are posted each Friday from March through May. The audio versions, narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor Joe Spano, are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well as by calling 818 768-1802 ext 7.
The non-profit dedicated to the understanding, preservation, and use of California native wild flowers and plants asks those who venture out to take in the wonderous spectacle that they enjoy it responsibly. “While superblooms are a beautiful and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, they are also delicate and are easily damaged by human activity,” they caution. “So it is important to enjoy them responsibly and minimize the impact on fragile ecosystems.”
They advise that people stay of the designated trails and “do not collect or trample wildflowers.” Leave nothing behind and only take with you photos to remember the occasion.
Keep in mind that their will be many others who want to experience the sight produced by Mother Nature, so if possible visit on weekdays or off-peak hours. At the same time be respectful of others and share the trails.