Travelers making their way across California this spring are in for a treat this year as beautiful displays of wildflowers pop up after several years of drought.
“We expect to see wildflowers from the deserts to the foothills of the Sierra to the scenic roadways that crisscross the central and northern parts of the state,” said Dyana Kelley, president and CEO of the California Outdoor Hospitality Association, which hosts Camp-California.com, the travel planning website.
“State Routes 1 and 101 should be especially pretty this spring as well as Route 49 through the Sierra foothills,” Kelley said.
While many hillsides can come alive unexpectedly with wildflower displays, Camp-California.com has compiled a list of state parks and nearby that are most likely to offer impressive displays of wildflowers this spring.
Wildflower destinations include Andrew Molera State Park, 21 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, which features a variety of springtime flowers. Nearby campgrounds include:
Big Sur Campground and Cabins in Big Sur, which includes RV and tent sites and rental cabins.
There is also Fernwood Resort in Big Sur. This campground includes RV and tent sites as well as furnished “Adventure Tents.”
Riverside Campground and Cabins in Big Sur, meanwhile, has RV and tent sites and rental cabins.
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, 15 miles west of Lancaster, generally features its greatest blooming period in March and April, depending on rain. Nearby campgrounds include Soledad Canyon RV Resort and Campground in Acton, which has RV and tent sites as well as cabins and cottages, and The Californian RV Resort in Acton, which has RV sites.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park, east of San Diego via Highways 78 and 79, is a major Southern California destination for spring wildflower displays. This park has campsites. Other nearby campgrounds include Palm Canyon Hotel and RV Resort in Borrego Springs, which has RV sites, Airstream, and other vintage RV rentals and hotel rooms.
Another nearby campground is The Springs at Borrego RV Resort in Borrego Springs, which has RV sites and park model rentals.
Azalea State Natural Reserve, five miles north of Arcata, preserves outstanding examples of azaleas that generally bloom in April and May.
The reserve has a parking lot and trails. Nearby campgrounds include Mad River Rapids RV Park in Arcata and Widow White Creek RV Park in McKinleyville.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park, four miles northeast of Arnold on Highway 4, is known for its wildflowers in June, especially along the Lava Bluffs Trail. This park has campsites. Other nearby campgrounds include Angels Camp RV and Camping Resort in Angels Camp, Marble Quarry RV Park in Columbia, 49er RV Ranch in Columbia, and The RV Park at Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne.
Carmel River State Beach, which can be reached from Highway 1 in Carmel via Ocean Avenue and Scenic Road. Wildflowers can be found along the bluff trail. Nearby campgrounds include Carmel by the River RV Park in Carmel.
Carrizo Plain National Monument, which is in a remote area about an hour and half west of Bakersfield. Nearby campgrounds include Bakersfield River Run RV Park in Bakersfield and Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, which features RV sites.
Castle Crags State Park, six miles south of Dunsmuir on I-5, has a variety of wildflowers in the spring. This park has campsites. Nearby campgrounds include Fridays RV Retreat and Fly Fishing Ranch in McCloud, which has RV and tent sites and cabins, and McCloud RV Resort, which has RV and tent sites and park model RV rentals.
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, seven miles south of Crescent City on U.S. Highway 101, has magnificent displays of rhododendrons that can be seen from the highway as well as numerous roadside turnouts in April and May, depending on the warmth of the spring. The park has campsites.
Other nearby campgrounds include The Ramblin’ Redwoods in Crescent City, which features RV and tent sites as well as park model cabin rentals, and Village Camper Inn in Crescent City, which is a big rig-friendly park that also has a one-bedroom cottage that is available on a weekly or monthly basis.
Garrapata State Park, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel, features the Soberanes canyon/ridge trail that winds through meadows, a riparian zone, a lovely redwood grove, and an exposed coastal ridge.
On certain sections of this trail, visitors may feel that they’re swimming through flowers, which can include Shooting Stars, Johnny Jump Ups, Blue Dicks, Golden Buttercup, Elegant Clarkia, Goldfields, Douglas Iris, Checkerbloom, Star Zygadine, Fushia-flowered Gooseberry, Trillium, Tidy Tips, Footsteps of Spring and a fantastic variety of Bush Lupine.
Visitors can also encounter the more common Monkey Flower, Seaside Painted Cups, Coyote Brush, Lizard Tail Yarrow, Mock Heather, and Poppies.
Visitors are advised that this is not a particularly easy hike. The first couple of miles are relatively flat and easy but the ridge can only be reached by a steep climb.
Nearby campgrounds include Carmel by the River RV Park in Carmel, which has RV sites.
Henry W. Coe State Park, in the mountains south and east of San Jose, is a wonderful place to see spring wildflowers.
Early in the year, visitors may see white milkmaids, blue hounds tongues, or yellow buttercups. As spring progresses, the flowers become more numerous with goldfields, owls clover, butter and eggs, columbine, delphinium, and many more.
Visitors might even get lucky and see the tiny purple mouse ears.
Short wildflower walks – less than two miles and less than two hours – are given every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. from the middle of March through the Memorial Day Weekend.
Nearby campgrounds include Garden City RV Park in San Jose.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, 20 miles north of Garberville, provides excellent displays of wildflowers along the Avenue of the Giants. Visitors will find Humboldt Lilies and orchids in late March to April and Dogwood in April into early May, depending on the warmth of the spring. This park has campsites.
Other nearby campgrounds include Ancient Redwoods RV Park in Redcrest, which has big rig-friendly RV sites, and Redcrest Resort in Redcrest, which has RV sites and rental cabins.
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, 11 miles northeast of Burney on Highway 89, features a variety of wildflowers in the spring. The park has campsites.
Other nearby campgrounds include Hat Creek Resort and RV Park in Old Station, which has RV and tent sites as well as cabin, yurt, and motel rentals.
Also nearby are Lassen RV Resort in McArthur and McArthur Burney Falls Cabins.
Montaña de Oro State Park, seven miles south of Los Osos on Pecho Valley Road, can feature hills covered with poppies, lupines, sticky monkey flowers, wild radish, and mustard. Best time to visit is typically April and May. Nearby campgrounds include Morro Dunes Travel Trailer Park and Resort Campground in Morro Bay, which has RV and tent sites.
Mount Tamalpais State Park, North of San Francisco’s Golden Gate, features spectacular and easily accessed wildflowers each spring.
Visitors can get to the park from Highway 101 take Highway 1 to the Stinson Beach exit and follow signs up the mountain. This park has cabin rentals. Nearby campgrounds include Golden Gate Trailer Park in Greenbrae and Marin Park Inc. in Greenbrae.
North Table Mountain Ecological Preserve, near Oroville. This 3,000-acre preserve features spring wildflowers and vernal pools. Nearby campgrounds include Riffles RV Park & Campground in Oroville, which has RV and tent sites.
Olompali State Historic Park, three miles north of Novato on U.S. 101, also features spectacular and easily accessed wildflowers each spring. The park entrance is accessible only to southbound traffic from Highway 101. Nearby campgrounds include Novato RV Park in Novato and San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA in Petaluma.
Pacheco State Park is a good place to visit in April for wildflowers. The park is on Highway 152, located 20 miles east of Gilroy. Nearby campgrounds include Casa de Fruta Orchard Resort in Hollister, which has RV and tent sites as well as motel rooms. This park is in San Benito County.
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve, three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, features a fairly easy hike with coastal bluff flowers. Nearby campgrounds include Carmel by the River RV Park in Carmel, which has RV sites.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is 50 miles north of Eureka and 25 miles south of Crescent City on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway off of Highway 101. Careful observers in the park will find beautiful but elusive orchids among the ancient redwood groves as well as more prominent displays of rhododendrons along the parkway in late March through May. The park has campsites.
Other nearby campgrounds include Kamp Klamath RV Park and Campground in Klamath and Klamath River RV Park in Klamath.
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, which is famed for its wildflower displays in the spring. The preserve is about 30 miles northwest of San Jose. Nearby campgrounds include Garden City RV Park in San Jose, which has RV sites.
Salinas River State Beach, 16 miles north of Monterey and one mile south of Moss Landing, has a nice section of wildflowers along the boardwalk at Molera Road.
Nearby campgrounds include Marina Dunes Beach Resort in Marina and Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA in La Selva Beach.
Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, six miles east of Corning and I-5 on South Avenue, has a variety of spring wildflowers. This park has campsites. Other nearby campgrounds include The Park RV Resort & Campground in Orland, which has RV and tent sites.
Zmudowski State Beach, one mile north of Moss Landing, features wildflowers in late spring, although many of them are on non-natives. Nearby campgrounds include Marina Dunes Beach Resort in Marina and Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA in La Selva Beach, which has RV and tent sites as well as cabins, park model RVs, and Airstream rentals.
For more information about camping opportunities near state parks and others in California, please visit www.Camp-California.com.