Southern California is a floral paradise during springtime. Whether it’s the bright orange poppies at Antelope Valley, the technicolor ranunculus flowers in Carlsbad or the rugged coastlines speckled with bright pinks and purples, there’s a plethora of wild varieties to admire… And this is what you’ll get when visiting the Chino Hills wildflowers.
So if you’re a bloom-seeker looking for the next pop of color to feast your eyes on, let us direct you to the luminous yellow display of Black Mustard flowers currently covering a fair amount of Chino Hills State Park’s 14,000 acres. The undulating landscape with perfect blue skies is an utterly surreal sight.
These non-native plants can grow up to six feet tall, so you’ll be wandering through a winding maze of vivid plants at some points of your journey. You may want to keep an eye on your pets and stick to the paths, though (especially as it makes it easier to watch out for rattlesnakes). Also, don’t neglect to admire the stunning native wildflowers like California Poppies, California Bush Sunflower, Black Sage and the Arroyo Lupine.
Walk-ins are completely free, but cars will need to pay $5—or if you’re a library cardholder, you can get a free day pass[/trackLink]. You also have the option of parking and walking up, which you’ll want to do if you plan to take the smaller, unpaved trails.
All this natural splendor is less than an hour away from the smoggy veil of the city. So, of course, weekends can get really busy during this period, but if you go when the park opens from around 8 a.m., you’ll have fewer selfie sticks to compete with.
There are several Wildflower Park Rules to follow, and it goes without saying that the flowers may not be picked or trampled on. It’s a 2-mile loop, so make sure you bring water and sunscreen.
📍 Location: 4721 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709
Featured Image: Chino Hills State Park
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.