Where to See the Wildflowers in Southern California (2025)

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Looking for the best wildflower spots near Los Angeles?

This past winter, we didn’t get a lot of heavy rainfall. As a result, Southern California’s poppies and wildflowers might be a little underwhelming this season. However, there are still areas where you can find seasonal blossoms.

I took a quick day trip from my home in Los Angeles to catch this year’s wildflowers. If you’re visiting LA this spring, you won’t want to miss the breathtaking sight of flowers blossoming on the hills!

Here’s exactly where to find the best wildflower fields this season, from mid-March through April and into May. Plus, you can grab my FREE wildflower map at the bottom of this post so you don’t miss a single bloom!

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Take Photos, Leave Only Footprints

One quick note before we continue forward: Take photos, leave only footprints. When visiting the wildflowers in Southern California, please be sure not to trample the flowers!

It’s super important not to destroy the flowers, as doing so can compound damage for years to come. And, of course, don’t pick any flowers.

Now, let’s discover the best places to see Southern California wildflowers!

1. Antelope Valley California State Reserve

antelope valley - where to find wildflowers in socal

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For my day trip to see the wildflowers in Southern California, I went here – Antelope Valley. It’s is one of the most popular places to see flower fields in Los Angeles.

About a 2-2.5 hour drive from LA, it’s quite a trek to get all the way up to Lancaster, but I’m glad I made it! The hills of Antelope Valley are typically filled with delicate, sweet poppy flowers. On my visit in the middle of April, I was a bit disappointed, to be honest.

There were a couple poppies in small groups… but their petals were closed up. Later, I learned that poppies usually open during cooler temperatures in the late afternoon.

There are actually 8 miles of trails to explore through Antelope Valley — quite a journey! I didn’t realize, but you could come here just to hike and enjoy the flowers along the way.

In the end, I backtracked and went to a spot off the freeway that was just as crowded with people, but filled with way more poppies. Also, heads up –– it gets windy here, so bring a jacket.

Check out my YouTube video, which shows my firsthand adventure finding the golden poppies at Antelope Canyon:

LA VLOG | Antelope Valley California Poppy Fields & Fujifilm x100v 🌼

Watch this video on YouTube

Although these sites are unmarked, you’ll easily see several spots to pull off (safely) along the freeway. There was plenty of parking and even a food truck or two at this stop, about 10 minutes from the entrance of the Antelope Valley reserve.

👉 Pro Tip: Want a peek at the flowers before you drive all the way up to Antelope Valley? You can see a livestream of the poppy reserve right here – pretty cool!
💵 Price: $10 per vehicle, but you can park on a street nearby and walk in for free

2. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

close up of wildflowers at the carslbad flower fields - a top spot to find wildflowers in southern california

The Carlsbad Flower Fields - where to find wildflowers in socal 2023

Visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields to see row after row of flowers in literally every color imaginable. Technically, these flowers don’t grow wild, but I’ve included this on my list since it’s such a popular spot to see flowers in Southern California.

Just north of San Diego, the Carlsbad Flower Fields are filled with over 70 million ranunculus flowers across 55 acres, in yellow, red, orange, pink and even more stunning varieties.

The nice thing about coming here is that you’re guaranteed to see fields FULL of flowers. At some of the spots where the flowers grow wild, it can be a little unpredictable. If you have your heart set on getting a selfie with gorgeous flowers, the Carlsbad Flower Fields is a good one for you!

This year, there’s a new attraction called the Butterfly Encounter. You can immerse in a magical experience with hundreds of butterflies gracefully fluttering all around.

Also be sure to check out artist Alex Heveri’s stunning outdoor sculpture exhibit, “Glass in Flight,” featuring beautifully crafted steel and glass birds and insects.

👉 Pro tip: The Carlsbad Flower Fields is one of the most popular fields to see wildflowers in Southern California, so try to visit on a weekday.
💵 Price: $27 for adults; $17 for children. Tickets can be purchased online in advance. Visit soon—the season usually ends in May!

3. Diamond Valley Lake

For the most colorful wildflowers imaginable, come to Diamond Valley Lake.

The hills here are typically filled with adorable little California poppies, blue arroyo lupines, purple Canterbury bells, yellow rancher’s fiddleneck, white popcorn flowers, and pink red maids. So much variety!

Anticipate a little bit of a walk here – the flowers can be seen along Diamond Valley Lake trail, which is 2.1 miles long.

Note: As of March 1, there are currently no flowers blooming. However, flowers may appear later in April.

👉 Pro tip: At just over 1.5 hours from Los Angeles, I would recommend visiting either Diamond Valley Lake or Antelope Canyon if you have just one day to see wildflowers in Southern California.
⏰ Hours: Wednesday – Sunday; 5:45am – 6:00pm
💵 Price: $11 for parking + $4 per person trail fee

4. Point Dume Nature Preserve

At Point Dume Nature Preserve, you can take a hike along the top of a cliff to find lovely yellow flowers in bloom. As of March 2025, Point Dume is currently open.

The flowers that bloom here aren’t poppies – they’re actually giant coreopsis. These brilliant yellow blooms look so happy, don’t you think?

Try to visit mid-March for the peak bloom. By April, you’ll probably still be able to see small patches of flowers along the hillsides.

You can make your excursion part hike, part beach day, since Point Dume State Beach and Zuma Beach are just a hop and a skip from the trail.

👉 Pro tip: Free 2-hour parking is available at the top of Point Dume. Arrive early (before dawn) to snag a spot.
⏰ Hours: Sunrise to sunset
💵 Price: Free

5. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Early in the spring season (March/April), you can see more flowers at Anza-Borrego in the lower part of the park. If you’re visiting in May, head to a higher elevation where wildflowers are still in bloom.

This destination is quite the drive from LA — 150 miles! You could almost reach San Diego or even Mexico by heading this direction.

But I’m including it here since this park is the largest state preserve in California, which makes it great for more adventuring than just wildflower sightings.

While this year may not bring the dazzling wildflower display we’ve seen in the past, there are still lovely blooms waiting to be discovered.

At Anza-Borrego, you can typically see wildflowers at multiple spots: Alongside Henderson Canyon Road, Coyote Canyon, and June Wash.

👉 Pro tip: For updates on the status of wildflowers, visit the Anza-Borrego Foundation’s wildflower page or call the park’s wildflower hotline at 760-767-4684.
⏰ Hours: Visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (October 1 – May 31)
💵 Price: $10 per vehicle

6. Red Rock Canyon State Park

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A post shared by California State Parks (@castateparks)

Another incredible state park to find wildflowers in Southern California is Red Rock Canyon State Park.

You’ll not only find wildflowers blooming naturally in the park, you’ll also get the chance to see incredible rock formations and cliffs.

As the name suggests, many of the rocks here showcase magnificent hues of red, brown, and purple.

Types of wildflowers found here: Mojave aster, monkey flowers, yellow primrose, indigo bush, and the desert trumpet.

👉 Pro tip: Call the park’s wildflower hotline to get current updates on where to find wildflowers in the park: (661) 724-1180
💵 Price: $6 for day use

7. Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival poster for March 30, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM at Columbia Park, organized by City of Torrance. Pink cherry blossoms border the text. Website link included.

If you want to stay closer to Los Angeles and still see flowers, check out the Cherry Blossom Festival this year in Torrance.

This one-day event on Sunday, March 30, 2025 (11 AM – 4 PM) at Columbia Park is the perfect excuse to soak in the beauty of cherry blossoms while enjoying live performances, unique crafts, and—most importantly—delicious food.

It’s completely free, and they even offer free parking and a shuttle, so there’s no excuse not to check it out.

While cherry blossoms aren’t technically wildflowers, they put on a show that rivals any SoCal super bloom. Plus, Columbia Park has plenty of green space to lounge, picnic, and pretend you’re in Japan for the afternoon.

👉 Pro tip: Arrive early for the best parking and bring a picnic blanket to fully enjoy the scenery!
💵 Price: Free!

8. California Poppy Festival

A vast field of orange poppies under a clear blue sky.

If you want to celebrate California’s state wildflower in style, head to Lancaster for the California Poppy Festival™ from April 25-27, 2025 at the AV Fair & Event Center.

This festival isn’t just about flowers—it’s a full-on event with live entertainment, amusement park rides, animal exhibits, festival food, and tons of activities for all ages.

Lancaster is home to some of the most impressive poppy fields in the state, so it’s the perfect place to admire these bright orange blooms.

The festival is a great way to experience the area, learn about its natural beauty, and, let’s be honest, take way too many flower-filled Instagram photos 😉

👉 Pro tip: Share your experience at the festival using #CaliforniaPoppyFestival
💵 Price: $13 per day at the entrance; $10 presale

10. Underwood Family Farm

A colorful array of tulips blooming in a field, showcasing the beauty of spring season.

If you can’t make it to the Netherlands this spring, Moorpark Farm has you covered. From February 22, 2025, until the blooms fade (about a month later), you can wander through 500,000 tulips imported from Holland, pick your own flower, and snap photos in front of a giant windmill—because what’s a tulip field without one?

Beyond the flowers, there’s a tulip train ride (weekends only), tractor-drawn wagon rides, and an animal center to keep things interesting.

And if you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, don’t leave without trying a Dutch stroopwafel—because admiring tulips is even better with caramel-filled cookies.

👉 Pro tip: Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds and get the best photo spots before the weekend rush!
📍 Location: Moorpark Farm, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA
⏰ Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (until 6 PM after March 9)
💵 Price: Weekdays: $14; Weekends & Holidays: $20

11. Lompoc Flower Fields

Field of multicolored flowers with purple, pink, and white tones under a clear blue sky and distant mountains. — *Image: Sandy/Chuck Harris via Flickr*

If you’re looking for breathtaking wildflower fields without the crowds of Antelope Valley, head to Lompoc, about an hour north of Santa Barbara.

From mid-April through early June, the Lompoc Flower Fields come alive with delphiniums, larkspur, stock, and sweet peas, making for a stunning (and totally underrated) wildflower-viewing spot.

And if you visit later in the season, you can catch the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival (June 25-29, 2025) for a parade, carnival, and flower show.

Local farmers grow and harvest the flowers for markets and export. While there aren’t designated walking paths, you can enjoy the blooms from the roadside.

For the best experience, check out Explore Lompoc’s guide to plan your route.

👉 Pro tip: Bring a camera and check out La Purisima Mission State Historic Park while you’re in town—it’s one of the best-preserved missions in California!
💵 Price: Free

12. Carrizo Plain National Monument

Rolling hills covered in vibrant patches of purple, yellow, and orange wildflowers under a clear blue sky, with two small figures walking along a path.

If you’re up for a wilder, more remote adventure, Carrizo Plain National Monument is worth the trek. Located 100 miles north of Los Angeles, this vast grassland plain is one of the best places to see undisturbed wildflowers—especially along the Temblor Mountains and Soda Lake Road.

Thanks to 2.1 inches of rain this season, there should be some blooms this year. While it might not be a super bloom, the golden landscapes with splashes of color still make for an unforgettable road trip.

👉 Pro tip: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a full tank of gas—services are limited out here!
⏰ Hours: December 1 – May 31; Thursday – Sunday, 9 AM – 4 PM
💵 Cost: Free

That’s a Wrap: Where to Find Wildflowers in SoCal

There you have it, my friends! I hope you have the best time frolicking through fields of wildflowers in Southern California this spring.

While this year’s wildflower season might not be the most spectacular, there are still plenty of blooms to be found—you just have to know where to look. Whether you’re chasing California poppies in Antelope Valley, tulips in Moorpark, or cherry blossoms in Torrance, spring in Southern California still has its fair share of floral beauty.

But let’s be real—LA has way more to offer than just flowers. If you’re planning a trip, why not make the most of it?

My Los Angeles Travel Guide has everything you need for an unforgettable visit, including a 3-day itinerary and all the best restaurants (because, let’s be honest, food is just as important as sightseeing)!

🌟 Get your guide here and make your LA trip stress-free and amazing! 🌴✨

*Wildfires have devastated communities across California, and many people need urgent support. If you want to help, consider donating to a nonprofit providing relief. Ways to help: lacity.gov/LAstrong

Get your FREE map of where to find wildflowers in Southern California here:

Save this map on your Google Maps app so you can reference it later.