With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
A Super Bloom Isn’t Guaranteed — Even With All That Rain. But Here's What We Do Know
People walk along a designated path to see a super bloom of wild poppies in the hills of Walker Canyon near Lake Elsinore in 2019.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
While much of the state has seen an above average amount of rain the past few months, many of Southern California’s desert areas have not. They’ll likely need a bit more, consistent rain for ideal super bloom conditions.
The Next Few Weeks Matter
Wildflowers in our desert areas want consistent rain that can give the soil a deep soak, and keep things from getting too dry up until the start of spring.
And here's the reality: “There hasn’t been enough rain to generate a great bloom,” said Richard Minnich, author of California’s Fading Wildflowers: Lost Legacy and Biological Invasions.
Support for LAist comes from
This year’s super bloom is dependent on what kind of rain we get in the coming weeks.
“It’s going to have to happen between now and March, and if there are no major storms, there won’t be a super bloom,” said Minnich.
Some Flowers Are Better Than None
“Throughout the Southwest, I’m pretty confident that there will be at least some wildflowers this year,” said Daniel Winkler, research ecologist with the U.S Geological Survey.
But he adds that, “nothing’s guaranteed, especially in desert systems.”
In Lake Elsinore, where they do "poppy planting," city officials announced this week they'll be closing Walker Canyon. That's after massive foot traffic in 2019 trampled the flowers and exhausted emergency responders when visitors came unprepared to hike.
Where To Travel To See Flowers
For your best flower-viewing opportunity, think about taking a trip some time in March or April, and sticking to areas located between State Route 14 and the Grapevine, or in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, which saw a bit more rain. A trip up our coast might be worth it as well. Some places to check:
And here are a few spots worth keeping an eye on as we await blooming season courtesy of our archives:
Support for LAist comes from
Saddleback Butte State Park
Saddleback Butte State Park is 17 miles east of Lancaster, so it’s a bit of a trek from L.A., but when it's blooming you’ll be rewarded with lush fields of little yellow flowers. The state park surrounds the Saddleback Butte, a granite mountaintop 3,651 feet above sea level, on the western edge of the Mojave Desert.
The entrance to Saddleback Butte State Park is on 170th Street East, between East Avenue J and East Avenue K.
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, 35 miles west of Saddleback Butte State Park, is a world-renowned place to see poppies. Named one of the country’s top 10 spots to see wildflowers by Fodor’s, the 1,780-acre Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve has eight miles of hiking trails.
While taking the 14 freeway may be the shortest route, going up the 5 freeway to the 138 will yield you the most scenery.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is home to a stunning annual wildflower bloom. The nearly 800,000-acre park has nine campgrounds and is located near the suddenly hip communities of Joshua Tree and Pioneertown, making for a great weekend trip.
Support for LAist comes from
Joshua Tree National Park is located off Highway 62 in Twentynine Palms. To get to Covington Flats, take La Contenta south off the highway.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego State Park near San Diego can be a great place to see wildflowers.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located off Highway 78 in Borrego Springs. It’s about a 2 hour and 40 minute trip from L.A.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist