There’s a quote “There is Magic Among the Wildflowers” that I wholeheartedly agree with… there’s just a special sense of wonder and amazement and awe of nature when you’re standing in front of a vast field of wildflowers… So when I hear of a beautiful field of wildflowers, I’ll often want to go see it for myself. And over the past couple of years, I’ve seen quite a few amazing wildflower fields in California! So I want to share this list of where to find wildflower fields in California with you and share the magic! I’ll also share links to blog posts with more details and photos if available. Happy wildflowering! (and be sure to protect these delicate flowers always!) Please remember – wildflowers are wild, meaning it’s not entirely predictable when or where they will bloom, or whether they will bloom at all this season!
All photos were taken by me and my husband Ken. If you’re interested in flower photography, you may be interested in my post on the Best Lenses for Flower Photography. Or take a look at my photo gear!
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Where are Wildflower Fields Found in California?
Poppy Fields at Antelope Valley, Walker Canyon at Lake Elsinore in Southern California
These poppy fields in Southern California have to be at the top of the list of most amazing wildflower fields of California! The poppy fields that pop up here during a Superbloom year are so vast, so colorful and so dense that it’s just incomparable! These fields were also one of my first experiences with wildflower fields and hold a special place in my heart. See more pictures on my post The Superbloom Poppy Fields at Antelope Valley.
Poppies typically bloom here in March, but only during Superbloom years.
Note – Walker Canyon/Lake Elsinore is closed for 2024.
Purple Lupines at Folsom Lake
Almost equal in vastness of the Southern California poppy fields, the lupine wildflower fields at Folsom Lake were simply magical and wondrous when I saw them during a Superbloom year. I had never seen a lupine field before, so to be standing in the middle of a huge field of delicate and sweetly fragrant little purple flowers during sunset was an experience I’ll never forget! See more pictures on my post Where to Find Lupines in Northern California, including pictures from a yellow lupine field in the East Bay!
Lupines bloom here in March, but only during Superbloom years (when the lake is dry), which are somewhat rare.
Wildflowers at Carrizo Plain National Monument
Carrizo Plain is a remote National Monument in the middle of rural California (3 hrs north of Los Angeles & 4.5 hrs south of San Francisco), but it was worth going to in order to see the wildflower explosion there during a Superbloom year! What a stunning sight to see the vast mountains literally covered with yellow and white wildflowers, including California Goldfields! Truly a wonder of nature! See more pictures on my post on the Carrizo Plain Wildflowers!
Wildflowers typically bloom here in March, but only during Superbloom years.
Poppy Fields at Mt Diablo State Park
If you live in Northern California, don’t miss the Superbloom of poppies and other wildflowers at Mt Diablo State Park almost every year! In addition to fields of poppies, you can enjoy hilltop views for miles here! I come here several times every year in the Spring to enjoy the wildflowers since it’s so close to my home! See more pictures on my post Spectacular Poppy Fields at Mt Diablo State Park!
Poppies and other wildflowers typically bloom here from mid-March to April. Mustard fields typically bloom from February to March.
Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur
Yes, there are wild calla lilies and there’s a whole field of them right next to the coast in Big Sur! You walk down a somewhat hidden path from the side of the road along Highway 1, then down a flight of steps, to reach this magical and beautiful field of white calla lilies that grow along a stream that leads to the ocean. For more details on how to find this area and for more pictures, see my post The Magical Calla Lily Valley of Big Sur!
These calla lilies typically bloom in April.
Mustard Fields at Napa Valley & Half Moon Bay
You can find many areas with yellow mustard fields throughout the Bay Area in early Spring or late Winter. One of the best places to see them is in Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley because mustard fields and vineyards are such a pretty combination! You can see them pretty much anywhere you drive in wine country in February/March!
Wildflowers at Garrapata State Park in Bug Sur
Big Sur has some beautiful coastal trails that have wildflowers in the Spring. Garrapata State Park encompasses some of those trails and the yellow wildflowers just liven up the scenery even more, even during the foggy days! One of those trails is the Garrapata Trail. Read more about Big Sur and see more pictures on my post The 5 Most Beautiful Sights in Bug Sur!
Wildflowers at Coyote Hills Regional Park
Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont has very pretty and scenic trails overlooking the Bay waters, and it also has very pretty wildflowers in the Spring! Some of the wildflowers we’ve seen there include poppies, mustard and purple lupines. I love the Bay View Trail there, where you can also see ducks and other wildlife on the waters! See more pictures on my post Spring Wildflowers of Coyote Hills Regional Park!
Wildflowers typically bloom here in March and April.
Yellow Lupines in the East Bay Hills
Under the right circumstances, a large field of yellow lupines will pop up in late March to April in the East Bay Hills. It doesn’t happen every year but when it does, it’s stunning!! See more pictures on my post Where to Find Lupines in Northern California.
Note – I haven’t seen these yellow lupines in 2023-2024!
Wildflowers at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
This remote reserve in Northern California comes alive with multiple wildflowers almost every year! The wildflowers here include lupines, poppies, meadowfoam, purple owl’s clover, goosefoot violet, and buttercups. I haven’t been to this area yet, but it’s on my list for sure!
Wildflowers typically bloom here from the end of March to the end of April.
Yellow Wildflowers (California Goldfield) at Mori Point in Pacifica
Every Spring, Mori Point by the coast in Pacifica is blanketed with small yellow and white wildflowers. You’ll find California goldfields and tidy tips, as well as California poppies, seaside daisy and checkerbloom there, in addition to beautiful ocean views! The East Bay Times has some photos of the wildflowers at Mori Point in this article. I hope to visit this area soon!
California Lilacs in San Diego County
Large fields of purple California lilas pop up in Northern San Diego County in the Spring! Some of the areas where they have been seen are: South Lake Park in San Marcos (2-mile loop) and Nighthawk Trail near Poway (3-mile loop).
Wildflowers Along Highway 1 from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz
Elsewhere along Highway 1, there are more wildflowers to enjoy every Spring! You can find poppies, Bermuda buttercups, and lupines as you drive through this area between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz!
California Flower Calendar
If you love flowers and gardens, you may be interested in my new California Flower Bloom Calendar post! Some of the flowers I cover include cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, poppy fields, wildflowers, roses and much more! 🌸
My YouTube Channel!
I’ve started a YouTube channel! If you love nature, flowers and gardens as much as I do, make sure to give me a follow there! 😊🌸🌿
Step Inside a Fairytale Rose Garden!
This secret rose garden is full of blooming roses, rose terraces, rose walls, rose pillars, and even a rose-covered gazebo straight out of a fairytale! 🌸
Thank You!
Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope you found this post useful, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Pansy ❤️
Hi, I’m Pansy!
Hello, thanks for stopping by! I’m Pansy, California-based travel blogger, photographer and lover of ALL the pretty flowers! You may notice that most of my travels, photography & DIY center around flowers and nature! 🌸🌼🌿
I recently started a YouTube channel where I feature beautiful gardens, parks & flower fields! Make sure to follow me there if you love flowers & gardens! 😊
If you’d like to contact me, please send me an email or DM me on Instagram!
Pansy ❤️
