After a year of severe drought, last fall California experienced a much-needed soaking. Unfortunately, in some cases, it has been quite extreme rainfall. On the brighter side, it brings with it the opportunity to witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays of color and life—a superbloom. While it may not be as big as the 2019 superbloom, millions of wildflowers will be covering the west coast from Death Valley to Big Sur and beyond, creating a beautiful display of color that can be seen from miles away. Read on to find out how to prepare for this exciting phenomenon.
What is a superbloom?
A super bloom or “superbloom” is a rare botanical occurrence where an unusually high proportion of flowers sprout all at once from dormant seeds within the earth. It only happens when the conditions are just right. In other words, it requires a high seed bank, just the perfect amount of rain, a dry stretch after that to warm the soil just enough, cloud coverage at night for insulation and no damaging winds or other harsh encounters with the elements.
When can you see these superblooms?
Predicting a superbloom is nearly impossible and knowing the exact dates is really just thumb-sucking. Peak season usually occurs around the beginning of spring, but buds may start to pop up around mid-Febrary and last through June. In some cases, blooms can begin prematurely as we’ve already seen with the winter blooms spotted at Anza Borrego desert.
The reason this doesn’t happen every year is that it takes around a decade for all the right factors to line up. Sadly, climate change has also impacted the frequency of superblooms, bringing about extreme weather. Long-lasting droughts are followed by a year’s worth of rainfall that pours down in the space of a week, destroying the growing blooms-to-be or washing the seeds away completely. Flower tourism has also dwindled the chances of wildflower blooms as it plays a role in erosion and the delicate flowers are often trampled.
Where are the best places to see the superbloom in 2023?
The best places to see a superbloom or more often than not, in state parks. Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Mojave, Lake Elsinore, Anza Borrego and Antelope Valley are amongst the top places to see this stunning floral blanketing. You can also find our guide the best places to see wildflowers in and around L.A.
How to see a superbloom responsibly
Of course, the splendor of these flower-covered landscapes draws in hordes of self-stick-wielding crowds which means the blossoms are often trampled at the cost of a picture. To avoid another “poppy apocalypse,” it’s always best to check out guidance from state park websites for information on responsible visits. If you happen to find unprotected pockets of wildflowers, it’s always best to stick to paths along the rolling hills and never pick any of the flowers.