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Stress free travel
Enjoying the wildflower display near the Antelope Valley Reserve – on a good year.
In a good rain year within a few hours drive north of Los Angeles you can drive through the high desert spotted with Joshua Trees and walk through green plains filled with dozens of varieties of wildflowers. The wildflower displays only last a couple of weeks (or days,) with temperatures running from chilly to heat wave hot.
Lupen and yellow flowers cascade over hillsides on good years.
Annual rainfall in Central California determines the best blooms throughout the south land. In 2015 there’s been sporadic rain while the state is in the throes of a drought. This year started well enough for the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve but the report just before the Solstice sadly tells of buds shriveled except on north facing slopes.
Time your visit to catch the best wildflower blooms:
- California Parks Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve Bloom Status
- Desert Wildflower Reports from Desert USA
Disclosure: In 2010, the rains fell and fell on Southern California, soaking parched fields and they were rejoicing with hillsides full of brilliant color. That’s the year these pictures were taken. The Poppy Preserve saw a moderate resurgence in 2016.
To get there: Drive out Hwy. 138 to the 58 and on through the Soda Lake plains on Hwy.223. We drove north on the I-15 and east past Wrightwood to avoid the Los Angeles traffic. If you go over the Grapevine on the I-5, you may see some smaller hillside displays. Take the Gorman Side Road that loops back to the freeway, for photo ops of purple, yellow and orange blooms.
Dining options:
Ready to stretch your legs and eat? Stop at the garish but fun Charlie Browns Farms (and restaurant) on the Pear Blossom Highway in Little Rock. It’s just east of Palmdale. The store is stocked with snacks and there’s a local ‘vintage’ wine tasting bar. You could wander the rooms full of displays, games, snacks for hours. Time your visit to try the Bar-B-Q. It’s delicious and the portions are Texas size.
You were not supposed to be inside the wild flowers field. You’re ruining the natural vegetative floral ground. If everyone was like you and went off the regulatory pathway just to selfishly take a picture of him or herself, the people who went afterwards would only saw a bunch of bent, wounded poppies. Please follow the rules and regulations for other people’s sake.
Thanks for your concerns, Jane. I’ve seen trampled wildflower fields and know that pain. Have you been to see the Antelope Poppy Preserve in full bloom? The hillsides are full of blossoms and there are very few trails. This shot was taken next to the road and in 2010 before the current drought began. The fields had very few visitors. We’ll be lucky this year, though, with all the rains in California there should be wildflowers to the horizon. It may not be the year for Antelope though as those bloom every few years.
Thank you. I was about to post a similar comment. Regardless of how “few trails” there are relative to how the “hillsides are full of blossoms,” it is a written rule that you do not trample protected vegetation–hence it being called a ‘Preserve.’ On the website for the Antelope Poppy Preserve which is part of the CA Park System clearly states,
“Stay on OFFICIAL TRAILS only. Walking in the poppies crushes all of the wildflowers and may result in a ticket. DO NOT walk where others have already damaged plants or there is only bare dirt; it will compound the damage and leave a scar for years to come. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.”
I’m glad that there are now rules governing how to see the poppy fields responsibly but let’s step back a moment. This post was written originally in 2010 before the fields were a popular tourist destination. I’m glad that wildflowers are getting their due and certainly work to preserve them when I visit.
I’ve always wanted to see this but can never make it down to LA (by car) at this time of year. I bet this year will be lovely!
I’m hoping it will be, Cassie. It’s a wonder to behold.
Beautiful. I love wildflowers. I will be driving through this area in a couple of weeks so hopefully I will get to see some of them.
Great to hear, Donna. Check out the reports online for the best locations. They’re peaking about now in many areas. I hope you find them!
Thanks and yes, the colors are breathtaking. I just love nature’s surprises.
Wonderful pictures I especially love the first one! I am adding this to my trip list for sure!
Thanks, Dana,
I like that picture too. Hope you get to see the phenomenon one day.
The flowers looked really pretty.
Thanks. The flowers were unbelievable.
Thanks for reminding me how beautiful this place is, Elaine. I visited Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve about 25 years ago, when my son was very young and I remember having a blast there. What a beauty! I’ll have to go visit again. Usually April is the best month to go, but with the heat we are having this year, it seems March works all right.
So glad to hear that you’ve seen this phenomenon. I’m hoping we get more rain soon to increase the blooms.
I have always wanted to see this!!! Such beautiful pictures!
Thanks, Melissa, until the drought took its toll I made several pilgrimages a year out to see desert wildflowers.