Every spring, Californians have the opportunity to witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays of color and life: a superbloom. In past years millions of wildflowers have sprung up along the West Coast from Death Valley to Big Sur and beyond—sometimes in such quantities that they’re visible from space. But will we get to experience one this year?
Will there be a California superbloom in 2025?
California State Parks announced that they’re expecting a limited wildflower bloom in 2025 due to below-average rainfall over the winter. While popular wildflower destinations like the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park exploded into brilliant colorful blooms over the last few years, the 2025 landscapes may not look like the pictures from 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2023.
Some California wildflower resources are gearing up for the season regardless. The Theodore Payne team has also announced plans to bring back their “Wild Flower Hotline” this March, which you can refer to for wildflower bloom updates every Friday through the season. You can also keep an eye on the California State Parks page, which will likely have additional information during the spring.
But first, some important notes…
- Due to the Los Angeles wildfire crisis, many local landscapes are looking different this year. Before planning a visit to any local nature reserve or park, make sure you check the current conditions via your destination’s website or socials.
- No matter your destination, it’s essential to be respectful of the natural environment. Visitors to the wildflowers often stray from marked paths and end up trampling the blossoms, which can cause deeper damage to the landscape. Put simply, do not step on the plants.
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What is a superbloom?
A “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.
What month is the superbloom in California?
In Califonria, a superbloom typically occurs during the spring months, usually between March and May. This phenomenon is characterized by a vibrant display of wildflowers blanketing various regions of the state, painting landscapes with hues of yellow, orange, purple, and more.
Peak season usually occurs around the beginning of spring. In some cases, blooms can begin prematurely as we’ve already seen with the winter blooms spotted at Anza Borrego desert. Depending on the location, some months are better than others to witness the superbloom:
- Central Coast: Mid-March to mid-April.
- L.A. County and San Diego: Mid-March to early April.
- The Mojave: April and May.
- Sierra Foothills: Mid-March through April.
- Bay Area: Late April to mid-June.
- High Sierra mountains: Late June through July.
How often is the California superbloom?
The superbloom doesn’t happen every year, as it takes around a decade for all the right factors to line up. Sadly, climate change has also impacted the frequency of superbloom, 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 diminished the chances of wildflower blooms as it plays a role in erosion and the delicate flowers are often trampled.
How can I 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.
It should go without saying, but avoid stepping on the blooms at all costs (as badly as the urge to freely frolick in the bloom-filled meadows may be). And if you happen to find unprotected pockets of wildflowers, it’s always best to stick to paths along the rolling hills and never, ever pick any of the flowers. Last but not least, the same etiquette as camping and hiking applies: leave no trace!
Where are the best places to see wildflowers in 2025?
California state parks usually offer the best conditions for seeing a superbloom. Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Mojave, Lake Elsinore, Anza Borrego and Antelope Valley are historically the top places to see this stunning floral blanketing, but here’s a more specific list of the top bloom spots across the state. Remember to check conditions at your destination’s respective website and social media.
Places to see wildflowers in Southern California
Even if there’s no “superbloom” this year, you can still look for wildflowers in L.A.’s most promising bloom spots. We’ve listed a handful below, but read our full L.A. wildflower guide for a full overview.
- Chino Hills State Park – Look for arroyo lupine, Canterbury, wild Black mustard flowers and school bells
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – California’s largest state park houses a brilliant spectrum of plant species and colorful wildflowers throughout the arid landscape.
- Carrizo Plain – This beautiful grassland in San Luis Obispo County turns into a mosaic of daisies, goldfields, poppies and vivid purple flowers
Places to see wildflowers in the Bay Area
Here are a few more spots to keep an eye on, but read Secret SF’s Bay Area superbloom guide for more. We hear there will be better wildflower prospects in NorCal this year.
- Mount Tamalpais State Park – The Coast View Trail (from Pantoll) is a great place to see Pacific hound’s tongue, common star lily, footsteps of spring and dwarf checkermallow in February and March.
- Sugarloaf Ridge State Park – This is another perfect place for flower spotting, especially along Lower Bald Mountain Trail where you’ll find Pacific hound’s tongue, red maids, baby blue eyes, checker lily and other species in early spring.
Edited by Jamie Ferrell