Although we’re used to perfect blue skies and sunshine every day in California, and tend to either freak out or celebrate the one day it rains, we’ve been getting a lot more rain lately and that has led to some pretty awesome things! Namely, the Super Bloom that has been trending all over social media, and said to only happen every fourteen years (which is a total lie, it happened last year in a different area).
Why is everyone going nuts over this super growth of wild flowers in certain areas of Cali? Well, obviously because it looks awesome, but also because it’s a really nice change from our typical dry arid landscapes! Even areas with patches of cacti are covered in lush green grasses and pops of color from long-stemmed wild flowers.
Sides of highways and mountain sides are knee high with bright orange, yellow, and the occasional deep wildflowers. And the best part is that everyone is taking time off to go get outside!
There’s never been a better time to make the excuse to take a camping roadtrip or impromptu staycation with the goal of seeing as many Super Bloom locations as possible! There’s some token areas to see them, but you can also spot them on your own just about everywhere you go within thirty miles of LA!
Here’s a list of a couple of my favorite areas I’ve gone to to see the Super Bloom, as well as some others I’ve seen on Instagram but haven’t made it to yet!
Oh, and DISCLAIMER: NO FLOWERS WERE HARMED IN ANY OF THESE PHOTOS! I am either angling the camera really well since I’m a good photographer and all, or wearing a flower crown with flowers I bought from the super market! (Yes, people complained on my Instagram)
Jump To:
1. Walker’s Canyon/Lake Elsinore (best Super Bloom)
This is the area where I saw the most bright orange poppies, which were my favorite of all the Super Bloom flowers I saw! Just Type in Walker Canyon on GPS and keep an eye out for Lake Street, then exit and head east into the parking area. You really can’t miss the orange-covered hillsides!
It’s literally a turnoff off the highway, so be sure to keep an eye out for signs for Lake Elsinore which is right next to it!
Click here for a GPS map to Walker Canyon.
2. Paradise Falls (waterfall Super Bloom)
The hike to Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks was another one of my favorite Super Bloom areas, because the valley is now grassy with adorable yellow flowers, and the trail down to the waterfall is overgrown with white, yellow, and purple ones.
Another perk of all of this sudden rainfall, is that our usually-dry waterfalls are all a-flowin’ right now! To get to Paradise Falls, simply type it into GPS, and follow the residential road to the trailhead where you’ll park your car (fo’ free) and start the hike.
There are several different hiking paths, so be sure to stick to the one pointing towards Paradise Falls to get to the waterfall, or if you want a longer hike, check out Lizard Rock!
Click here for a GPS map of Paradise Falls in Wildwood Park.
3. Anza Borrego (desert Super Bloom)
Anza Borrego is a beautiful desert area with awesome arid mountain landscapes and clear starry skies. Right now it’s desert plateaus are a photographer’s dream since tons of slender stems of wildflowers are cracking through its surface. Photo lovers weren’t the only ones enjoying the rare growth of flowers in this area; nearly every stem had a fat green caterpillar hanging from it!
To get there type in “Anza Borrego State Park” into your GPS or click here for a map.
If you want to camp there like I did, you can make a reservation here: Anza Borrego State Park camping
*NOTE: Anza Borrego has an advisory up due to the massive amounts of super bloom traffic, so if you can camp there for the night, that will be your best bet at getting in and getting good shots!
4. Catalina Island (adventure Super Bloom)
If you’ve ever wanted to get away to Indonesia or French Polynesia, I’d highly advise you to sail or take the ferry over to Catalina Island ASAP! The normally brown cactus-covered island is currently lush and green, with pops of flower patches all over the hiking trail on Two Harbors!
You can take the ferry from San Pedro straight to Two Harbors for $73 roundtrip, click here for for Cat Express tickets and schedule.
5. Burbank (easy Super Bloom)
I know Burbank may not be the first place you think of for adventure and a Super Bloom, but don’t forget that it’s nestled in the hills, and those hills are all a-bloomin’! I included Burbank as well because it’s a quick, easy, affordable escape from the LA area, and you can do awesome things like ride horses along the mountain, or go on a birds-eye hike!
Horse trails leave every 15 minutes and only cost $25/hour! For a list of stables click here for Burbank Horseback Riding.
6. Joshua Tree (adventure Super Bloom)
I didn’t make it to Joshua Tree before leaving the country on my current two-month stretch of international travel, but it’s definitely on my “to-camp” list as soon as I get back! The beautiful desert area with the funky Dr. Suess-like trees looks more unique than ever right now thanks to sudden increase of green leaves and colorful flowers, so be sure to check it out while they’re still in bloom! Even the cacti are blooming!
For a list of campgrounds both in the State Park and off the grid, click here: Joshua Tree Camping
Know of any more awesome Super Bloom spots in California? Share them in the comments!
GoPro Hero 5 Selfie-stick/tri-pod
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