TL;DR: The best flower fields in California are at Point Reyes (north of San Francisco), Big Sur (along the Central Coast), and Carlsbad Flower Fields (south of LA). Here’s what you need to know before your visit:
- Point Reyes National Seashore: Take Highway 1 North from San Francisco to enjoy delicate Seaside Daisies, Sky Lupine, and California Poppies at Chimney Rock, Tomales Point, and Abbotts Lagoon from March to April.
- Big Sur Fields: Lavender, orange, and gold flowers are along Highway 1, between Carmel and Hearst Castle.
- Carlsbad Flower Fields: From Carlsbad head just south for Giant Tecolote Ranunculus for peak bloom in April to enjoy full fields of flowers, concerts, and even a sweet pea maze.
There’s no need to travel to France to picnic in a lavender field, or Holland to stroll through tulips, when you can stay right here and explore the best flower fields in California.
In the deserts of Southern California, winter rains bring stunning displays of orange poppies, desert gold, and blue lupine as the weather warms up.
And Northern California is where you can explore fragrant lavender farms or seek out bright yellow sunflowers.
So, whether you’re hoping for a super bloom, looking for fabulous family portraits, or just want to lift your mood with a springtime stroll, these are the most enchanting flower fields in California.
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California Flower Fields Map
Best Sunflower Fields in California
Muller Joe and Sons/M3 Ranches
Address: 35472 Co. Rd. 18A, Woodland, CA 95695
GPS coordinates: (38.7140054, -121.8523623)
How to get there: This ranch is just off I-5, about 30 minutes northwest of Sacramento. Take County Rd 17 West, then take a left onto County Rd 95A. Finally, turn left onto County Rd 18A.
Contact info: (530) 662-0105
Peak bloom: Mid-June to mid-July, aim for the first week of July for the best display.
Cost: Free, but contact the owners before showing up.
M3 Ranches has one of the largest sunflower fields in Yolo County, so if you’re seeking a sunflower field in Sacramento, this is the place to visit.
The owners welcome responsible visitors who ask permission in advance and treat the flowers with respect. You can reach them on Instagram or call to arrange a visit.
Andreotti Family Farms
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Address: 800 N Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
How to get there: Just over 30 minutes south of San Francisco, down the scenic Highway 1.
Contact info: (650) 922-0141
Peak bloom: September
Cost: $20 for an adult to visit for 50 minutes, including five sunflowers that you pick yourself.
If you’re looking for flower fields in the Bay Area, make a trip to Andreotti Family Farms in Half Moon Bay.
This is a U-Pick farm, so you can get right into the field to take amazing shots of the bright yellow flowers.
The cooler coastal climate of Half Moon Bay allows sunflowers to bloom later in the year, giving you another opportunity to appreciate these golden beauties if you missed the July window.
Swank Farms, Hollister
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Address: 4751 Pacheco Highway, Hollister, CA, 95023
How to get there: From Hollister, drive ten minutes north on the 156B, then turn right onto Pacheco Pass.
Contact info: (831) 637-4704, info@swankfarms.com
Peak bloom: Early July
Cost: $25
On the Central Coast, Swank Farms in Hollister hosts a U-Pick sunflower event every September.
And with a mix of 16 different sunflower varieties, there’s something special for everyone.
If you time it right, you can also visit the farm’s pumpkin patch, corn maze, and giant pillow, which is perfect if you need to bribe young kids to stay still for a California flower fields portrait.
Murray Family Farms
Address: 6700 General Beale Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93307
How to get there: Head east on Highway 58 from Bakersfield for 20 minutes. Take the exit for General Beale Rd and go left.
Contact info: (661) 330-0100
Peak bloom: Early October
Cost: General admission is $14.99 on weekdays and $15.99 on weekends.
Head to the Central Valley for Murray Farms’ October Fun Fest. The farm has a huge sunflower field filled with 18 varieties of sunflowers and is open every day in October.
This is a great family day out to celebrate sunflowers, with plenty to do for the kids, including a hayride, giant bounce pillow, slide, spider web, and an animal garden.
Hana Fields/Tanaka Farms in Costa Mesa
Address: 427 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
How to get there: The farm is located on the corner of Sunflower Ave and Anton, Costa Mesa. Don’t get confused with Tanaka Farms in Irvine!
Contact info: (949) 653-2100
Peak bloom: Throughout the summer and into fall.
Cost: $20 for general admission to the pumpkin patch, $6 for the flower fields only.
If you’re looking for sunflower fields in Los Angeles, Tanaka Farms is nearby.
To simply visit, photograph, and admire the fields (Hana means flower in Japanese), you can pay a $6 admission fee.
Or for $20, receive a souvenir cup, 15 flowers to pick, a pumpkin, and access to the pumpkin patch attractions.
Tanaka Farms plants seeds throughout the year, so there are flowers from spring to fall, making this a Southern California spot to celebrate Mothers’ Day, a birthday, or any other special occasion.
Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station, Escondido
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Address: 13421 Highland Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92025
How to get there: Take the West Bernardo Drive exit on I-15. Turn left onto Highland Valley Rd and drive for 0.25 miles.
Contact info: (858) 566-7466, info@pumpkinstation.com
Peak bloom: Early September
Cost: $2 per stem
If you’re looking for sunflowers in Southern California, head to Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station, just outside of San Diego, in September.
Cut your own sunflowers for $2 a stem, take photographs, or just soak up the soothing sunflower vibes on this family-friendly farm.
Looking for more sunflowers? Read our guide to the best sunflower fields in California.
Best Lavender Farms in California
Araceli Farms
Address: 7389 Pitt School Rd., Dixon, CA 96520
How to get there: From San Francisco, take I-80 north toward Sacramento. Take exit 60 onto Midway Rd. After about three miles, turn left onto Pitt School Rd and the farm will be on your left.
Contact info: (707) 640-1047, AraceliFarms@gmail.com
Peak bloom: Mid-May to the end of June
Cost: $5 per person
Located just outside Sacramento, Araceli Farms is perfect for posing for portraits, gift shopping, or just inhaling the sweet scent of lavender.
Araceli Farms’s owner-operator Justina Salinas holds ticketed events during peak blooming season in May and June.
Keep an eye out for updates on their Instagram page for this year’s event.
There’s no U-Pick option here, but you’re free to wander the lavender fields and your ticket is redeemable for a bunch of lavender from the farm shop.
At the shop, you can treat yourself to a revitalizing body scrub or an essential oil roll-on.
Highlands Springs Ranch
Address: 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, CA 92223
How to get there: From downtown Los Angeles, head east on Highway 10 for 72 miles. Take exit 90 onto Cherry Valley Blvd and turn left. Turn right on Beaumont Ave, left on Brookside Ave, then right onto Highland Springs Ave.
Contact info: (951) 845-1151
Peak bloom: Mid-June
Cost: Between $12 and $15 for adults, $6-$7.50 for children aged 6-12, and free for those five and under.
Celebrate the harvest at a lavender festival held at Southern California’s biggest organic lavender ranch, Highlands Springs Ranch.
Walk through the lavender fields, join a lavender craft class, or take a tour on an antique wagon.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stay for a lavender-themed lunch accompanied by the farm’s signature cocktails.
Deerhaven Herb and Flower Farm
Address: 8854 Martin Rd, Santa Cruz California 95060
How to get there: From Santa Cruz, take Highway 1 north, then turn right onto Bonny Doon Rd. After four miles, take a right onto Martin Rd.
Contact info: (831) 427-1919, deerhavenlavender@jemsahagun
Peak bloom: End of June
Cost: $10
Drive through the coastal fog to emerge onto sunny lavender fields hidden in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Deerhaven Herb and Flower Farm opens to the public for just one weekend in June, when you can pick your own stems, visit the shop, and try some handmade lavender treats.
Follow Deerhaven on Instagram to buy tickets for this year’s event as soon as they’re released, as quantities are limited and they sell out quickly.
Read our guide to the best things to do in Santa Cruz.
Cache Creek Lavender
Address: 3430 Madrone St., Rumsey, CA 95679
How to get there: From San Francisco, take I-80 north toward Sacramento and exit 56 for I-505 north toward Redding. Take exit 21 for Highway 16, turn left on Manzanita Ave, then right on Madrone St.
Contact info: (530) 796-2239, lavender@cal.net
Peak bloom: Mid-June
Cost: Free
Celebrate the lavender harvest at Cache Creek Lavender, a family-owned farm in Yolo County. It’s one of the few free lavender festivals and features live music, a BBQ, and wine tasting.
Cache Creek Lavender also hosts weddings, so if you’re planning an outdoor event and love lavender, your dream venue could be these flower fields in Northern California.
Pageo Lavender Farms
Address: 11573 Golf Rd, Turlock CA 95380
How to get there: From Fresno, take the 99 north and exit on Golden State Blvd, then after two miles turn right onto Golf Rd.
Contact info: PageoFarms@jemsahagun
Peak bloom: Mid-June
Cost: Free
Pageo Lavender Farms is a beautiful, five-acre property filled with lavender fields. Like Cache Creek, it’s a popular wedding venue in June when the sweet scent of lavender perfumes the air.
If you’re looking for flower field photography shoots in California, Pageo offers affordable packages either in the afternoon or evening during golden hour.
Looking for more lavender? Read our complete guide to the best lavender farms in California.
Best California Poppy Fields
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Address: 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA 93536
GPS: (34.7248870, -118.3968120)
How to get there: The entrance to the parking lot is on Lancaster Rd, 15 miles west of Highway 14.
Contact info: (661) 724-1180
Peak bloom: Mid-March
Cost: $10 to park
During a super bloom, Antelope Valley is the center of the poppy universe. Seeing the green meadows painted a vibrant orange is on many a Golden State bucket list, and for good reason.
However, the word is out, and in a super bloom year, expect massive crowds flocking to see the California poppies.
The car lot is quite small and fills up fast, although you can park on the road and walk in through the entrance.
If you go, make sure to stick to the trails so you don’t accidentally crush the beautiful flowers you’re there to see. And if you’re going during peak bloom, always turn up early.
For California poppies footage, check out the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve live stream.
Anza-Borrego State Park
Address: 200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
How to get there: Follow S22 north to Palm Canyon Dr where you turn left to find the visitor center.
Contact info: (760) 767-4205
Peak bloom: Mid-March
Cost: $10 to park
The Colorado Desert explodes with color after winter rains.
And Anza-Borrego State Park, located two hours northeast of San Diego, is one of the best flower fields in California to enjoy this natural phenomenon.
Like Antelope Valley, this place also explodes with traffic in a super bloom year.
However, if you book a campsite (far in advance), you can enjoy the park in the mornings before the day-trippers descend, and in the evening (hello, golden hour!).
Henderson Canyon Road and Palm Canyon are the best spots in the park to find California poppies. Hike the Palm Canyon trail for a great wildflower walk.
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Address: 17495 Soda Lake Rd, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
How to get there: Travelling from the north, access Soda Lake Road from California State Route 58. From the south, take California State Route 33 or 166.
Contact info: (805) 475-2131
Peak bloom: Mid-March
Cost: Free
See California’s Central Valley as it looked before urbanization and agriculture transformed the flower fields in California forever at Carrizo Plain National Monument.
In spring, this vast area is carpeted with blooming wildflowers, painting the rolling hills with yellow and orange.
And California poppies are not the only wildflower here. You’ll find them mixed in with California goldfield, tidy tips, and many more.
Go through the plain on the main road (Soda Lake Road) for a scenic drive through Carrizo Plain National Monument. Otherwise, take the short hike to Soda Lake Lookout for sweeping views of the valley.
One of the best views of the hills can be found on the corner of Highway 58 and Seven Mile Road.
Looking for more poppies? Read our guide on where to see California poppies.
Malibu Creek State Park
Address: 1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Cornell, CA 91301
How to get there: From Highway 101, exit at Las Virgenes Rd, then head south.
Peak bloom: Mid-March
Cost: $12 to park
Formerly a filming lot for M*A*S*H, Malibu Creek is now a beautiful state park with oak-shaded trails, volcanic swimming holes, and a creek.
During the spring, wildflowers bloom along the trails and on the rolling hills.
Try Crags Road Trail for a path edged with orange poppies to Century Lake. This route can be strenuous but worth it for the views.
Malibu Creek State Park is a popular hiking area, so plan to arrive early or on a weekday if you want to avoid crowds.
Looking for more Malibu recommendations? Check out our guides to the best things to do in Malibu and the best beaches in Malibu.
Walker Canyon
Address: Lake St, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
GPS: (33.7305751, -117.3917085)
How to get there: Park on the Walker Canyon Road shoulder, just off I-15.
Contact info: (858) 467-4201
Peak bloom: Mid-March
Cost: Free
During the 2019 super bloom, Walker Canyon was one of the best poppy fields in Southern California to visit. Tourists flocked to the site as word spread of the spectacle.
If it looks like a good year for poppies again, this is an easily accessible spot from Los Angeles.
There isn’t a lot of parking or facilities here, so plan to arrive early to nab a spot and dodge the crowds.
You can park on the shoulder of Walker Canyon Road and head up the trail into the canyon, which is carpeted in bright orange poppies.
Best Tulip Fields in California
Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, Golden Gate Park
Address: 1690 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121
How to get there: From the Great Highway, enter Golden Gate Park at John F Kennedy Dr and head toward the windmill.
Contact info: (415) 813-1445
Peak bloom: April
Cost: Free
Named for the queen of the Netherlands who reigned through the first and second World Wars, this tulip garden features an authentic windmill, donated by Queen Wilhelmina herself.
The windmill was once used to irrigate the garden. Although no longer functional, the windmill is a much-loved local icon in San Francisco.
It certainly makes a dramatic backdrop for the stunning tulips, which surround the structure.
Descanso Gardens
Address: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
How to get there: From Los Angeles, head north on Highway 2, taking Verdugo Blvd exit, then right onto Descanso Dr.
Contact info: (818) 949-4200, membership@descansogardens.org
Peak bloom: March
Cost: $15 general admission
Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical garden located just 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. In early spring, 30,000 tulips burst into life here, creating a stunning display of vibrant color.
Spring is a very popular time to visit, so make a reservation online to avoid disappointment at the door.
Filoli, Woodside
Address: 86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062
How to get there: From San Francisco, take I-280 south, then the CA-35 west. Join Highway 92 east before taking a slight right onto Cañada Rd.
Contact info: (650) 364-8300, info@filoli.org
Peak bloom: March
Cost: $25 general admission
Filoli is a historic house located in leafy Woodside, just over a 30-minute drive from downtown San Francisco.
The formal gardens are a delight to visit any time of the year, but visit in early spring if you love the sight of tulips.
If you enjoyed Bridgerton, you’ll love Filoli, which was inspired by Georgian English architecture. Tour the house, admire the spring flowers, then visit the cafe for a spot of afternoon tea.
Crystal Hermitage, Nevada City
Address: 14618 Tyler Foote Road, Nevada City, CA 95959
How to get there: From Nevada City, take Highway 49 north for ten miles, then take a right on Tyler Foote Rd.
Contact info: (530) 478-7587
Peak bloom: March
Cost: $10 for weekend general admission
Located in Nevada City, Crystal Hermitage is a spiritual center with a stunning garden. Their annual Tulip Festival showcases 17,000 colorful flowers in the beautiful grounds.
This is a ticketed event and is back again for 2022 after a break, so likely to be popular. Sign up for their newsletter to buy tickets as soon as they’re released.
Where to Find Wildflowers in California
Joshua Tree National Park
Address: 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
How to get there: From Los Angeles, take I-10 east, then Highway 62 for the north entrance, or continue south for the southern entrance
Contact info: (760) 367-5500
Peak bloom: March-April
Cost: $30
Wildflowers start to bloom in Joshua Tree National Park in February at the lower elevations and between March and April in the higher areas.
Joshua Tree National Park has 750 documented flower species, from the spiky to the sublime.
See what others are finding on the park’s Wildflower Watch project, and add your own discoveries.
If you plan to stay in the area overnight, read our guide to the best hotels in Joshua Tree. For a day trip, you can check out our road trip guide from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree.
Channel Islands National Park
Address: 1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001
How to get there: By ferry from Ventura Harbor
Contact info: (805) 658-5730
Peak bloom: January to April
Cost: No fee, but there’s a charge for the ferry crossing.
This unique Southern California island’s ecosystem nurtures hundreds of plants, many native only to the Channel Islands.
In late winter and early spring, the islands are carpeted in bright yellow coreopsis flowers. They are at their best on the islands of Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and San Miguel.
Read our guides to California’s national parks and how to plan a California national park road trip.
Big Sur
Address: Highway 1, between Carmel and Hearst Castle
How to get there: Highway 1
Peak bloom: March to May
Cost: Free
The cliffs and rolling grasslands of Big Sur are dotted with bright hues of lavender, orange, and gold in the spring.
This is a great time to take a Pacific Coast Highway road trip, as both sides of the road are equally photogenic.
Read our guides on where to eat and stay along the Pacific Coast Highway, as well as our guide to Big Sur camping.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Address: 1 Bear Valley Rd, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
How to get there: From San Francisco, take Highway 1 north
Contact info: (415) 464-5100
Peak bloom: March to April
Cost: Free
Find sky lupine, California poppies, seaside daisies, and hundreds of more colorful flowers in Point Reyes National Seashore.
It’s only an hour’s drive north from San Francisco in Northern California, so it’s an easy weekend trip from the city.
Chimney Rock, Tomales Point, and Abbotts Lagoon are some of the best spots to discover fields of these fragile blooms.
Death Valley National Park
Address: Furnace Creek, CA 92328
How to get there: From the western entrance, follow Highway 190 through the park to the visitor center
Contact info: (760) 786-3200
Peak bloom: Mid-February to mid-April
Cost: $30
The famous super blooms of Death Valley are rare and spectacular events that require just the right conditions. With enough winter rain, the desert becomes a sea of gold, pink, and white.
So far, 2022 is shaping up to be an average year rather than a super bloom year, but there should still be a good display of flowers by March.
Where to Find Purple Flower Trees in California (aka Jacaranda Trees)
Santa Monica
Address: Wilshire Blvd to Colorado Ave.
How to get there: Head to downtown Santa Monica
Peak bloom: Late May to early June
Cost: Free
Jacaranda trees are innocuous street trees until early summer when they become engulfed by a startling shade of purple-blue.
You can find this Brazilian import all over Los Angeles with this map, but downtown Santa Monica has so many it has become a designated city landmark.
Westwood, LA
Address: Ohio Ave.
How to get there: Head to downtown Westwood
Peak bloom: Late May to early June
Cost: Free
Just east of Santa Monica, in the city of Westwood, the streets are awash with violet trees in May. Head over to the downtown area and wander through the purple canopy.
Sherman Oaks
Address: Stansbury Avenue between the 3900 and 4200 blocks
How to get there: Sherman Oaks is just off Highway 101 at Van Nuys Blvd.
Peak bloom: Late May to early June
Cost: Free
This neighborhood has a street full of mature jacaranda trees that form a canopy over the homes.
Pasadena
Address: Paloma Street just east of Allen Avenue, and Del Mar Blvd.
How to get there: Pasadena is about ten miles north of Los Angeles, off Highway 110.
Peak bloom: Late May to early June
Cost: Free
In the spring, Pasadena has several streets lined with jacarandas. Del Mar Blvd is the most famous, but Paloma Street also has some lovely blooms.
The Caltech campus is another great place to take a stroll and enjoy the purple blossoms.
Where to Find Cherry Blossoms in California
Lake Balboa Park, Van Nuys
Address: 6300 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406
How to get there: Lake Balboa is located between I-405 and Highway 101
Contact info: (818) 756-9743
Peak bloom: Late March to early April
Cost: Free
This Los Angeles County lake is ringed with cherry trees, which put on a spectacular display of pink blooms in the springtime. They’re at their best in late March and early April.
Hakone Gardens, Saratoga
Address: 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
How to get there: Hakone Gardens is located just past Saratoga’s downtown on Big Basin Way.
Contact info: (408) 741-4994
Peak bloom: Late March to early April
Cost: $10
Hakone Gardens is one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the west. The estate holds a cherry blossom festival every year to celebrate the return of spring.
But the best way of experiencing the blossoms is during the nighttime event, Hanami at Hakone, when the trees are lit up under a night sky.
Japanese Gardens, Golden Gate Park
Address: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
How to get there: Near the corner of Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive and Martin Luther King Drive in Golden Gate Park.
Peak bloom: Late March to early April
Cost: $10
The Japanese Gardens at Golden Gate Park have been an iconic San Francisco destination since they opened in 1894.
Spring is the ideal time to visit when the cherry blossoms bloom and the garden bursts into life.
It’s a beautiful retreat from the city. The tea house, which serves traditional Japanese drinks and treats, is a good spot to sit and contemplate the fleeting beauty of the blossoms.
Where to Find Roses in California
San Jose Municipal Rose Garden
Address: Dana Avenue & Naglee Avenue, San Jose, California 95126
How to get there: From I-880, take North Bascom Ave, then turn left onto Naglee Ave.
Peak bloom: Early May
Cost: Free
The historic San Jose Municipal Rose Garden has 189 varieties of roses, laid out between walkways and with a fountain at the center.
In May, when the roses are at their peak, the warm air is delightfully perfumed. This San Jose park also has redwoods for shade and a large field for picnics and games.
Pasadena Rose Parade
Address: Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
How to get there: Pasadena is about ten miles north of Los Angeles, off Highway 110.
Contact info: (626) 449-4100
Peak bloom: January 1st-2nd
Cost: $60-$110 for tickets
The iconic Pasadena Rose Parade rings in the New Year with floral style.
Every inch of the floats that travel the 5.5 miles down Colorado Boulevard are covered in flowers, bark, moss, and seeds.
Roses, naturally, make up a large part of the display. All the flowers are natural and no artificial material is allowed.
You can watch as the final touches are added two days before the parade at one of the float barns in the Rose Bowl neighborhood of West Pasadena.
Huntington Library’s Rose Garden
Address: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
How to get there: From Los Angeles, head toward Pasadena on Highway 110. The two entrance gates are at Allen Ave and on Oxford Rd.
Contact info: (626) 405-2100
Peak bloom: May
Cost: $29 admission on weekends
This three-acre rose garden is just one of the beautiful gardens at Huntington Library.
Here, you’ll find thousands of roses are on display, including a unique variety, Huntington’s 100, created to celebrate the garden’s centennial.
Ask volunteers to point you to one of the most popular beds, which is populated by the most fragrant rose varieties, and smells heavenly.
Berkeley Historic Rose Garden
Address: 1200 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley
How to get there: Head to Codornices Park on Euclid Ave.
Contact info: (510) 981-5150
Peak bloom: Mid-May
Cost: Free
The Berkeley Historic Rose Garden has been open to the public since 1937 and is one of the best rose gardens in Northern California.
There are amazing views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge from the garden, which is set out in terraces.
Located on a steep hill, Berkeley Historic Rose Garden is not very accessible, although volunteers have been working on improving the situation in recent years.
Where to Find Almond Blossoms in California
Fresno Blossom Trail
Address: Fresno, CA
How to get there: Start from Fresno and follow the Google Map directions.
Peak bloom: Mid-February to mid-March
Cost: Free
You’ll see a ton of white blossoms from the road on this self-guided car or bicycle tour of Fresno’s orchards.
Print the map or download the Google instructions from Fresno’s official Blossom Trail website and enjoy the spectacle.
The map details plenty of interesting stop-offs, including coffee shops, farm stands, diners, and vineyards along the way.
Read our complete guide to the best things to do in Fresno.
Modesto
Address: Rodin Farms, 5000 Oakdale Rd, CA 95357
How to get there: From downtown Modesto, head north on Coffee Rd, then take a right on Claribel Rd.
Contact info: (209) 551-6701
Peak bloom: Mid-February to mid-March
Cost: Free
Rodin Farms is the start of the Almond Blossom You Drive, a self-guided tour of the Central Valley’s almond orchards.
It’s a great spot to get out and take pictures of the white almond blossoms.
Other Flower Fields in California
Carlsbad Flower Fields
Address: 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
How to get there: From downtown Carlsbad, head south on Palomares Airport Rd before taking a left onto Paseo Del Norte.
Contact info: (760) 431-0352
Peak bloom: April
Cost: Adult general admission from $17
Every spring, the Carlsbad Flower Fields hosts a floral extravaganza on its 50 acres of stunning flower fields.
Thousands of giant Tecolote ranunculus flowers burst into vibrant color over six to eight weeks, peaking in April. This is one of the most famous flower fields in California.
Carlsbad ranch offers several flower-based activities, from simple strolls through the colorful fields, to a whimsical sweet pea maze and outdoor concerts.
If you’re looking for enchanting flower fields in Los Angeles or San Diego, Carlsbad is a great day trip from either city.
Tips for Visiting Flower Fields in California
- Wear comfortable shoes that can get dirty, especially if you’re visiting a farm.
- Take advantage of golden hour by turning up at sunrise or an hour before sunset.
- Keep an eye on social media for peak bloom dates.
FAQs About Visiting Flower Fields in California
Where is the super bloom in California?
A super bloom is a natural event that occurs after a wet winter in California.
When fall rains are above average and spring arrives without any storms, the desert blooms and the flower fields in California burst into color.
Death Valley has one of the most famous super blooms, which occurs once every 10 to 15 years.
The last Death Valley super bloom was in 2016. Antelope Valley and Walker Canyon in Southern California both draw huge crowds in super bloom years as well.
Where are most of the flower farms located in California?
The Central and Southern California coasts have the most flower farms and flower fields in California.
What flowers bloom in Southern California?
Here’s a fun fact for you: California has the most native plants in the US.
Some of the wildflowers you can find in Southern California include the desert lily, sand verbena, California poppy, desert dandelions, bush sunflower, and ceanothus.
What flowers bloom in Northern California?
Douglas iris, sky lupine, Indian paintbrush, sticky monkeyflower, California Fuschia, baby blue eyes, hummingbird sage, and chamise.
What to Pack When Visiting California Flower Fields
- Good walking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Plenty of water
- Daypack
- Sun hat
- Camera
- Tripod or selfie stick
- Bug spray
Get your FREE California Travel Planner – including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah McDonald
Sarah McDonald is a travel writer based in the Bay Area. She writes for the national parenting website Red Tricycle and on her own family travel blog, Tiny Trailblazers. She loves exploring California’s outdoors and has a weakness for a national park gift shop.
Sarah enjoys sharing her Bay Area expertise with readers curious to try popular restaurants and off-the-beaten-path adventures in California. When she’s not writing reviews and travel guides, you’ll likely find her trying to keep up with her kids on a hiking trail or deciphering the menu at a new restaurant.
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