Super Bloom 2023: Photos From Space To A Bug's Eye View

CALIFORNIA — A Super Bloom bright enough to be visible from space has erupted across California in a flurry of flowers attracting bees and shutterbugs alike.

From Lake Elsinore to Lancaster, and Joshua Tree in Southern California to Carrizo National Monument and Napa Valley in the north, the state flower is showing all of its glory for the 2023 super bloom.

The winter of 2023 brought "unusually intense rains to Southern California, which was followed by a magnificent bloom of wildflowers in spring," according to NASA, which captured the kaleidoscope of color from space. The Carrizo Plain National Monument was the Earth Observatory's photo of the day in April.

California hasn't seen this level of bloom since 2019, according to experts, achieving official super bloom status this spring with the "above average" amount of rainfall.

"The University of California ecologists counted ten separate super blooms in the nearby Anza-Borrego Desert over four decades," a NASA spokesperson said. "Nine of the ten blooms occurred after winters when precipitation was higher than average."

The Earth Observatory photos taken from space show the desert blooming in Carrizo Plain National Monument on April 6, 2023. Compared to an image taken in April 2022, the area is considerably greener and more colorful.

Seen from the ground in Northern California, the Carrizo Plain National Monument is achieving colors not seen since 2019.

Similarly, along with the many blossoms, bulbs and poppies blooming at wineries in Central California, Napa Valley is touting its love affair with the wild mustard plant. The wild mustard plants are still blooming between rows of grape vines from Calistoga, Sonoma and all points in between.

Patch reached out to several residents who shared their favorite super bloom pictures. Few have captured our hearts as much as this scene shot from the sky, captured during a Facetime session between father and daughter in the air over Joshua Tree National Monument.

Jess Lane watched from the ground as her father, John Lane, flew above in his gyroplane, showcasing the patchwork of colors below.

"I wanted to share this amazing perspective," Jess Lane wrote on her Instagram post shared with Patch. "It's really mind-blowing to me that Earth is always holding this beauty just below the surface. Sometimes it's years before it's finally revealed. All it takes is a little water and sunshine to unearth it."

Closer to the ground, photographer Gabriella Mazzeo of Tehachapi went macro on the Antelope Valley poppies.

"The poppies are so gorgeous this year," she wrote while warning against trekking through the fields and destroying flowers.

Even the high desert is bursting with color. The trails of Lancaster are flourishing with the continued cool spring weather.

The Lancaster flower fields are epic in 2023, according to photographers and visitors.

When you go, you'll notice orange, yellow, purple and blue flowers spread out as far as the eye can see.

Remember to stay on the paths and avoid crushing the blossoms. Doing so is essential for the blooms' future and ensuring others can enjoy them, state park and wildlife officials warn.

"I drove out to Lancaster, CA this week to experience California's super bloom," Colleen @TheLightChase wrote on Instagram and shared with Patch. "Standing in a swaying field of poppies, the density and vibrancy of the wildflowers surprised me the most. I don't think I've ever been surrounded by that much orange in my life."

Visitors to the fields and hills are asked to stay on the paths for the most part, whether in Lancaster or elsewhere.

The Hemet-area Diamond Valley Lake is also awash with blooms, according to Southwest Riverside resident Bree Mazzolani.

She shared some of her journey viewing the blossoms.

"They have a trail specifically designated for wildflower viewing and it’s the most amazing display of wildflowers I’ve ever seen!" she told Patch over Facebook.

Parking is $11 and flower hunters must stay on the designated trails, she said.

When you go to Diamond Valley Lake, be sure and arrive before 9 a.m. to avoid the long line of cars to get in, she advised. The flower trail is open from 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Further south in Lake Elsinore, you can only view the bloom from your car windows as you cruise by on the I-15.

Sarah Drago took drive-by pictures as a passenger.

"The orange poppies splashed across the mountains are just breathtaking," she said.

Lake Elsinore City officials have learned lessons after more than 100,000 visitors stomped the flower fields in 2019. During a recent news conference, Mayor Natasha Johnson described the debacle in Walker Canyon in 2019.

"The flowers were beautiful. The scene was a nightmare," she said.

In 2023, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department has provided officers each weekend to patrol the paths near Walker Canyon. There are plenty of other places to go to see the flowers, they said.

Stephanie Smith of Lake Elsinore could enjoy the blooms she spotted right outside her door.

Los Angeles area photographer Howard Gray reminded us that rattlesnakes are a real danger when visiting the flower fields of Lancaster.

"The universe is riddled with signs," he wrote. "Trust your gut."

Do you have a super bloom picture you want to share with Patch? Please send it in an email attachment to Autumn.Johnson@Patch.com or tag @rivcopatch on Instagram.