After another winter of heavy rains, the Bay Area and the rest of Northern California are poised for a spring season of beautiful wildflower superblooms. Here are just some of the places you’re likely to find colorful fields of California poppies, Johnny jump-ups, monkey flowers, and much more!
Before visiting any of these areas, double check their websites for the most to-date information on local regulations, closures, and what’s in bloom. Make sure to preserve the experience for others, too: always remain on designated paths and refrain from picking any wildflowers.
San Francisco
Via Tantek Çelik on Flickr
(Roosevelt & Museum Way // Corona Heights)
Hike the Corona Heights Trail and wind your way to the top of the hill, where you’ll get some prime 360-degree views of the city. On the way, keep your eyes peeled for flowers and butterflies!
What you’ll see: Checkerbloom, California poppy, footsteps-of-spring, Douglas iris, mule’s ears, Johnny jump-up
Via Ariel Dovas on Flickr
(3400-3416 Folsom St // Bernal Heights)
You’ll find more stunning views at the breezy summit of Bernal Hill, which is also a great place to stargaze at night. It’s a colorful spot in the spring, thanks to the large variety of flowers that grow there.
What you’ll see: Footsteps-of-spring, sun cup, blue-eyed grass, checkerbloom, shooting star, purple needlegrass, red fescue
Via SF Rec & Park Department
(Dalewood Way & Myra Way // Sherwood Forest)
You’ve probably caught on to the theme here: if you want to see wildflowers in SF, you’ll likely have to travel upwards. Mt. Davidson is the highest point in the city, but despite this, the 1-mile hike up to the top is fairly mild, and you’ll see tons of plant life during the journey.
What you’ll see: California poppy, blue-eyed grass, hog fennel, checkerbloom, mule’s ears
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See San Francisco Recreation & Parks’ website for more info on where to find wildflowers in SF!
East Bay
Via Joe Parks on Flickr
(1300 North Gate Rd // Walnut Creek)
This expansive state park has tons to explore. Hike one of the many trails around the Mitchell Canyon area for your best chance at seeing wildflowers. We recommend you bring the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association’s comprehensive wildflower identification guide as a reference for your visit. Make sure to see the aptly-named Mount Diablo Manzanita, which only grows around Mount Diablo!
What you’ll see: California poppy, blue dick, blue-eyed grass, coast paintbrush, wild radish, shooting star, Mount Diablo manzanita, and more
Via East Bay Parks
(2537 Reliez Valley Rd // Martinez)
There are swaths of wildflowers to see across Briones’ 6,255 acres, so expect to do some serious hiking. If you want to hit two parks in one day, take the Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail and maximize your floral experience.
What you’ll see: California buckeye, milkmaid, buttercups, monkey flowers, Ithuriel’s spear, and more
Via East Bay Parks
(1895 Geary Rd // Fremont)
This beautiful preserve offers guided wildflower walks, where you can learn about its many plant species from naturalists. Get to the visitors’ center early to secure a spot on one of those, or check out a wildflower identification guide and enjoy a solo journey on one of the preserve’s six hiking trails.
What you’ll see: California poppy, mustard, goldfields, lupines, and more
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South Bay + Peninsula
Via Friends of Edgewood Natural Preserve
(10 Old Stagecoach Rd // Redwood City)
Hike Edgewood’s Serpentine Trail or the Sunset Trail if you’re on wildflower watch. Both trails pass through the preserve’s thick grasslands, which are filled with flowers in the spring. They also have docent-led wildflower walks and family picnic areas.
What you’ll see: California buttercup, California poppy, goldfields, giant trillium, blue dick, lupines, and more
This scenic destination is a must. Walk the Cowell-Purisima Trail or the Coastal Trail for some flower sightings, drive along the PCH and marvel from your car window, or check out Coastal Wildflower Day this April for a celebration of the area’s plant life. Half Moon Bay is mostly known for its famous wild mustard fields, which typically bloom in mid-February — you can reserve your chance to stroll through the yellow blooms at Iacopi Farms once they’re back next year.
What you’ll see: Wild mustard, lupines, California poppy
Via Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
(3901 Alpine Rd // La Honda)
Walk the Russian Ridge Trail, Mindego Hill Trail, or Ancient Oaks Trail and check out the hundreds (!) of wildflower species that grow in the Russian Ridge Preserve. It’s part of the massive Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space, which fills with vibrant blooms every spring.
What you’ll see: California poppy, lupine, gumweed, mules ears, tidy tips, farewell-to-spring, brodiaea bloom, and more
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North Bay
Via Western Railway Museum
(5848 CA-12 // Suisun City)
Why walk to see wildflowers when you can be taken by train? Starting in April, Western Railway Museum offers guided scenic tours where you can witness all the wildflowers decorating Solano County’s hillsides from the vantage point of a 1900s-era vintage train. All aboard!
What you’ll see: California poppy, goldfields, sheep's sorrel, and more
Via Point Reyes National Seashore
(Point Reyes Station // Marin County)
Over 1,500 plant and animal species call this seaside preserve home, so its many accessible hiking trails aren’t lacking for wildflowers. Our favorite is the Chimney Rock Trail, an easy hike with abundant spring blooms and stellar coastline views. Go at sunset for a romantic, flower-filled walk!
What you’ll see: California poppies, wild radish, tiny tips, checkerblooms, periwinkle, lilies, footsteps-of-spring, and more
If you live in the Bay, you have to visit the Marin Headlands at least once (if only for the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge from above). You’ll find wildflowers along the many hiking trails that run through the area, like the famous Coastal Trail or the Hill 88 Trail.
What you’ll see: California poppy, milkmaids, fetid adder’s tongue, Zigadene lily, hound’s tongue, sticky monkey flower, and more
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Day Trips
Via Yosemite Mariposa County
One of the National Park Service's crown jewels, Yosemite National Park is beautiful this time of year — and it's close enough to the Bay Area, that you can get there and back in a day — although camping is always an option if you plan ahead. As an added bonus, if you drive through Modesto on your way to the park in early late February and early March, you can see the annual Almond Blossom bloom.
What you'll see: California poppy, lupine, snow plant, bleeding heart flowers, and more.
Via Visit Lake Tahoe
Next time you’re on a weekend trip to Tahoe, stop by one of the myriad wildflower hotspots in the area, including: Lake Forest Beach, Frederick’s Meadow, the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Meeks Bay Trail, the Big Meadow Trailhead, the Galena Waterfall and Mount Rose Loop, Winnemucca Lake, and Meiss Meadows.
What you’ll see: Lupines, mule’s ears, Sierra tiger lilies, buttercups, and more
Via @whatthehellsie on Instagram
(2488 Cherokee Rd // Oroville)
North Table has long been drawing visitors for its plentiful wildflower bloom — every spring, a gorgeous patchwork of flowers blankets the preserve’s rolling hills. Formed by ancient lava flows, the area also has other unique natural features, like waterfalls and vernal pools.
What you’ll see: California poppy, lupines, meadowfoam, purple owl’s clover, goosefoot violet, buttercups, and more
Via NPS
(5000 Hwy 146 // Paicines)
It may not be California’s most well-known national park, but Pinnacles is a great spot to hunt for wildflowers. Don’t sleep on its scenic hiking trails and plentiful wildlife!
What you’ll see: California poppies, fiddleneck, peppergrass, filaree, fiesta flower, monkeyflower, baby blue-eyes, Johnny-jump-ups, Indian warrior, and more
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By Grace Orriss
