See Wildflower Blooms Across Riverside County This Weekend: Here's Where

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Wildflowers are blooming and across Riverside County, experts offer some great ideas on where to enjoy them.

The 19th annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival will take place Saturday at Civic Center Park Saturday, from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. at 43900 San Pablo Avenue. Here, community members have the opportunity to learn and enjoy the region's desert environment. The event is hosted by Friends of the Desert Mountains.

The nonprofit's Executive Director, Tammy Martin, discussed the bloom in a statement.

"We've had the kind of winter rains that get us excited," Martin said. "It may not be a full super bloom, but conditions are lining up for a really beautiful wildflower season -- and the festival is the perfect way to kick it off."

The free, family-friendly event will feature native plants, hands-on activities, art vendors, food vendors and an environmental education area for children and families.

More information can be found at www.desertmountains.org.

Also available for wildflower blooming in Riverside County is the k Judy Abdo Wildflower Trail at Diamond Valley Lake.

The 1.3-mile path is available for trekking from Wednesdays to Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Starting March 8, access will be permitted until 5:30 p.m.Trailhead parking passes run $11, and the trail access fee is $4.

"Thanks to the late fall and early winter storms, colorful blooms are already dotting the hillsides above the reservoir," the MWD said in a statement Wednesday. "Visitors can typically expect to see vibrant California poppies, deep blue arroyo lupines, purple Canterbury bells, yellow rancher's fiddleneck, delicate white popcorn flowers and pink red maids."

Anza Borrego is seeing its share of wildflowers in 2026, however. With the rapid warming weather, the desert wildflowers are bursting, according to the Anza Borrego Foundation. They released a wildflower viewing map for those who want to head to the desert to photograph and see the blooms.

Near Diamond Valley Lake, however, the vast Judy Abdo Wildflower Trail abutting Diamond Valley Lake is part of the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve, encompassing 9,000 acres of protected space.

This pathway runs in a loop and can be accessed from the DVL Marina parking area, near the intersection of Domenigoni and Searl parkways, according to the MWD.

"It's rated as an easy-to-moderate hike with some rugged terrain," the MWD stated. "Along the route, visitors are treated not only to seasonal colors but also panoramic views of the Southland's largest drinking water reservoir."

The agency emphasized that hikers must obey all the rules of the preserve.

"Wildflowers must not be picked, and guests are asked to remain on designated trails to protect sensitive habitat and wildlife," according to the MWD. "Rattlesnakes are common in the area, particularly during warmer months, and hikers should remain alert."

Rangers will close access on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Additional information is available at www.dvmarina.com