CA 'Super Bloom' Underway: Where To See Flowers In SoCal

LOS ANGELES, CA — After atmospheric rivers pummeled the State of California for weeks on end, the clouds have parted showing the spectacular blooms left in the wake of the historic storms.

Weather forecasts call for an unusually warm Easter Sunday in Southern California and light showers in Northern California, and with the promise of sunshine to come across the state, some California residents are wondering: Where can I see 2023's "super blooms?"

The super bloom phenomenon is a term given to an above-average number of wildflowers blooming at the same time, according to ScienceFriday.

The last super bloom the state saw was in 2019, and such a phenomenon can only happen when the conditions are perfect — a super bloom requires a high seed bank, just the right amount of rain, and a dry stretch after that to warm the soil. If that is achieved, then Southlanders may start seeing hillsides carpeted with lush wildflowers.

With the record-breaking rainfall this winter, wildflowers are already showing off their colors across the Golden State.

However, before planning your trip, the California Department of Parks and Recreation reminded Golden State residents to respect the wildflower bloom by only keeping to designated trails while visiting any and all California parks.

"California State Parks welcomes all to enjoy the wildflowers, and, in the interest of safety and conservation, asks visitors to please respect the iconic landscapes and be knowledgeable of the area, weather and their body limitations," the department said in a statement.

Here are some of the best places to see Southern California's wildflowers as weather conditions warm across the state this weekend:

Southern California Super Bloom

Throughout SoCal, residents can expect thriving vegetation across the region as temperatures warm up in a big way for Easter weekend.

According to Travel and Leisure, Southern California's own Anza-Borrego Desert is home to some of the state's most famous super blooms. At roughly 600,000-acres, the state park is the largest preserve in California and stretches from Riverside County south to almost the border of Mexico.

The state park has thousands of protected plants and animals, one of them being the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep.

Here are Southern California's best locations to catch the super bloom:

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park — Borrego Springs
  • The largest state park in California is expected to have vibrant pockets of wildflower blooms throughout the winter and spring seasons. Visitors can see desert flowers along the east side of Henderson Canyon Road in the northern end of the park.
    • For more information on the current status of the bloom, follows the park on Facebook and Instagram.
• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve — Los Angeles
  • The hillsides at the Poppy Reserve are starting to show vivid pinks from filaree and vibrant yellows from large swaths of goldfields. There are some California poppies blooming and more are expected in the coming weeks. The Antelope Trail North Loop and Kitanemuk Vista Point offer the best views of the wildflowers currently blooming.
    • For more information on the current status of the bloom, visit the Poppy Cam, and follow the park on Facebook and Instagram.

• Chino Hills State Park — Chino Hills
• The best wildflower viewing experience takes place along Bane Road. To get a closer look, visitors can hike on Bane Ridge Trail. This year, the flowers that are blooming include Canterbury and school bells, arroyo lupine and California poppies.
  • For more information on the current status of the bloom, follow the park on: Facebook and Instagram.

• Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park — Earlimart
  • The grounds of the historic park are currently covered in brilliant yellow goldfields. These flowers generally last for a month or more.
    • For more information on the current status of the bloom, follow the park on Facebook and Instagram.

• Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area — Kern County
  • Jawbone Canyon has a beautiful array of wildflowers blooming for the next month, including lavender Lacy Phacelia and. brilliant yellow desert dandelions.
    • For more information on the current status of the bloom, follow the park on: Instagram and Facebook.

• Red Rock Canyon State Park — Cantil
  • Hagen Canyon, Iron Canyon and the Ricardo area surrounding the visitor center and campground are awash in color for the next month from a variety of wildflowers, including desert dandelions, blue dicks, desert of wild parsley and red maids. The Joshua trees and bladderpod are also currently blooming in the park.
    • For more information on the current status of the bloom, follow the park on: Instagram and Facebook.

• Tule Elk State Natural Reserve — Buttonwillow
  • As of April, there are large patches of goldfields and filaree blooming at the reserve that are visible from the park's overlook of the reserve. Visitors might even catch a glimpse of the tule elk herd as their bulls grow their antlers through the spring and into the summer.
    • For more information on the current status of the bloom, follow the park on Facebook and Instagram.