Where To Find Spring Bloom in California

Once again the seasons are changing, and once again I’m chasing those changing colors. California is a treasure trove for spring bloom. But just like a treasure hunt, it takes some searching. To find spring blooms may take a road trip, depending on what part of California you live in. In this post I’m spilling the beans on where you can find the most amazing blooms in California.

This trip, the girls and I were in search for almond blossoms. Almond blossoms have a short blooming season that starts mid-February and ends mid-March. Sometimes you can find them in white or shades of pink. Regardless, they are gorgeous and definitely worth traveling to for a photo-op. It definitely makes for a perfect backdrop for a maternity shoot or an engagement shoot.

To save you the research, I’ve gathered the must-see spots in California for spring bloom:

1. Dixon and beyond — Along the I-80 in Dixon, going Southbound, you’ll find an orchard of almond blossoms. You can also find them along I-5 on the way to Woodland. This particular field that we went to was off Highway 16 between Woodland and Brooks. There’s also a bounty of orchards north of Sacramento in a town called Williams. There’s even an annual almond festival that takes place in Yolo County called the Capay Valley Almond Festival that takes place when blossoms are in full bloom.

2. Fresno County Blossom Trail — Looking for more almond blossoms? You’ll find an abundance of them in different colors at this public trail. Shades of white, pink and yellow fill the orchards. It’s a self-guided drive through trail where you’re welcome to pull over and take a photo-op.

3. Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve — Located in Lancaster is a sea of California poppies. The poppies bloom from early February to mid-May. It’s definitely one of the most popular spots in California, so be prepared to share the area with a lot of people. The blooms vary year by year and you can check out the current status of the preserve on their official website, here.

4. Joshua Tree National Park — There is a phenomenon called “super bloom” where wildflowers fill the desert with color. The season starts in February and continues ’til April. To stay updated on their blooming season, check out their Wildflower Report.

5. Death Valley National Park — Just like Joshua Tree, Death Valley gets a bounty of wildflowers that rises from the desert floor. The season starts in February and extends to July. The flowers greatly depends on rainfall and varies each year. Be sure to check out their Wildflower Report.

6. Carrizo Plain National Monument — Southeast of San Luis Obispo is the most beautiful scene. Rolling valleys are filled with purple and yellow.

7. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch — Ever wanted to skip through the flower fields of the Netherlands? Well, you can have that same experience outside of San Diego. In the town of Carlsbad is a ranch with 50 acres of flower fields. It attracts numerous visiters each year from March to May.