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Wildflower season is here! These will be the best spots to see them across Southern California in 2019

by in News

If Southern California’s wildflower season had an opening weekend, it would be the first weekend of March.

This is usually when the region starts to transition from rainy winter to sunny spring, cueing flowers to bloom and parks to prepare for crowds of visitors. As rainy as this winter has been,  many flower lovers are hoping for a “superbloom” — an exceptional season in which bright flowers blanket the hillsides (and social media feeds).

Some areas, especially in drier, warmer locales, are already bursting with early-blooming flowers including poppies, fiddleneck and lupine. Other areas will get going in mid-March to April, while higher elevations are the latest bloomers, with the season peaking in May and even early June.

Of course, it all depends on the weather. How much longer the rainy weather sticks around and how quickly after that it heats up will determine just how good this year turns out to be and how long the season lasts, experts say. All discussion below about peak times are estimates, not guarantees.

Some other things to keep in mind: Be prepared with essentials such as water, food, sunscreen, extra layers of clothing and a map that will work even if your cellphone doesn’t. Know the cardinal rules of wildflower viewing: Stay on trails, park in designated areas, take your trash home and don’t pick flowers.

Wherever you’re headed, check the website or social media accounts of the agency in charge. It may have policies you need to know (like whether your dog is allowed), tips to maximize your fun (like where the best current blooms are) or information keep you safe (like what areas aren’t accessible).

Wildflower excursions are popular, so be patient if there are crowds — or schedule trips for the less-busy weekdays if you can. And sunny mornings to early afternoons are the optimal time to be out looking for beautiful blooms.

Here are the places across Southern California that outdoors aficionados say have some of the best wildflower displays. Two other good resources for inspiration are the Theodore Payne Foundation’s wildflower hotline (theodorepayne.org/learn/wildflower-hotline or 818-768-1802 ext. 7) and www.desertusa.com.

People enjoy the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve during the 2017 superbloom. The preserve is expecting another good year in 2019, with the first flowers starting to open just in time for the visitor center to open for the spring on March 1. (Courtesy of California State Parks, 2017)

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

Location: 15101 Lancaster Road, Lancaster

What to know: The namesake poppies at this High Desert state park started blooming just in time for the March 1 opening of the visitor center, park interpreter Jean Rhyne said. (The center is open through Mother’s Day.) The wildflower peak should run from mid-March through April, depending on the weather. Frequent updates about current conditions are available on the park’s website, social media sites and hotline. Rhyne encourages carpooling or coming early because the parking lot can fill up on weekends; if it’s closed, people can park along the road and walk in for free.

Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily year-round

Cost: $10 per vehicle ($9 with someone 62 and older; $5 with DPR Disabled Discount Card)

More information: www.parks.ca.gov/poppyreserve, wildflower hotline: 661-724-1180, www.facebook.com/PoppyReserve, Instagram: @poppy.reserve, Twitter: @poppyreserve

  • Flowers bloom in Coyote Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in February 2019. (Courtesy of Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)

  • Flowers bloom in Coyote Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in February 2019. (Courtesy of Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)

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  • A field of wildflowers blooms in the Devil’s Slide area of Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area in February 2019. (Courtesy of Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)

  • A field of wildflowers blooms in the Devil’s Slide area of Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area in February 2019. (Courtesy of Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)

  • A caterpillar snacks on a brown-eyed primrose at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area in February 2019. (Courtesy of Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)

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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Location: Visitor center is at 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs.

What to know: This jewel of a state park became famous for wildflowers during the 2017 superbloom for good reason, and it’s preparing for crowds again in 2019. The nonprofit Anza Borrego Foundation posts weekly updates on where good blooms are and how to get there; this information can help people skip the visitor center, which can fill up during peak times. Park officials recommend anyone planning a trip off the main paved roads take a 4×4 vehicle, especially because of the damage caused by winter rains.

Hours: Visitor center open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Oct. 1 through May 31, then weekends and holidays only in the summer

Bonus tip: The nearby Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, at 5172 Highway 78, Borrego Springs, is also having a good wildflower bloom.

More information: www.parks.ca.gov/anzaborrego, theabf.org, wildflower hotline: 760-767-4684, www.facebook.com/AnzaBorregoFoundation, Twitter: @Anza_Borrego, Instagram: @anzaborrego

Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve/Harriet Wieder Regional Park

Location: The preserve is at 18000 Highway 1, Huntington Beach; the adjoining park is at 19251 Seapoint St., Huntington Beach.

What to know: As part of a restoration project at the city of Huntington Beach’s Harriet Wieder Regional Park, the preserve has installed more than 45 California native species of plants and seeds, and restoration supervisor Eric Paquette said it is a sight to behold. The wildflowers were blooming well as of March 1 and different species are expected to keep going into June or even July depending on the weather. A bonus: From the park, people can see into areas of the ecological preserve that the public can’t enter.

Hours: Park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

More information: www.wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Bolsa-Chica-ER, www.huntingtonbeachca.gov

Chino Hills State Park

Location: Bane Canyon Road entrance is at 4721 Sapphire Road, Chino Hills; discovery center is at 4500 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea.

What to know: This 14,000-acre park has been an early bloomer with bright orange poppy-covered hillsides. Kelly Elliott, superintendent of the state parks’ Inland Empire District, said various species of flowers could continue blooming for a couple of months, although taller non-native plants like mustard and thistle could end up obscuring the smaller native flowers later in the season.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 through the first Sunday in April; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer

Cost: $5 per vehicle ($4 for age 62 and up)

More information: www.parks.ca.gov/chinohillssp, 951-780-6222

Cleveland National Forest

Location: Santa Ana Mountains

What to know: With all the rain the mountains received, it should be a fantastic year for wildflowers, spokeswoman Olivia Walker said, though some higher-elevation areas (especially those recently covered in snow) may not hit their peak until April. South Main Divide tends to have good flower displays; Walker recommends Morgan Trail and said that could start blooming in March. A good spot later in the spring for both flowers and bird-watching is Big Laguna Meadow off the Big Laguna Trail. She noted that there can be beautiful flowers blooming along the Ortega Highway but urged people not to stop and park illegally.

Cost: Developed areas require a $5 Adventure pass

More information: www.fs.usda.gov/main/cleveland/

  • Jacob Palmer, 10, and brother, Levi, 3, sit among a sea yellow non-native wildflowers along a trail near Sand Canyon Road and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Jacob Palmer, 10, leaps over yellow non-native wildflowers long a trail near near Sand Canyon Road and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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  • Hudson Palmer, 2, explores a sea of yellow non-native wildflowers, along a trail near Sand Canyon Road and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Bicyclists ride past a sea of yellow none-native wildflowers, along a trail near Sand Canyon Road and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Hudson Palmer, 2, left, and sister, Tammy, 2, explore a patch of yellow none-native wildflowers along a trail near Sand Canyon Road and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A sea of yellow non-native wildflowers brightens up the hills along Sand Canyon Road near Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A sea of yellow non-native wildflowers brightens up the hills along Sand Canyon Road near Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A sea of yellow non-native wildflowers brightens up the hills along Sand Canyon Road near Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A sea of yellow non-native wildflowers brightens up the hills along Sand Canyon Road near Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A bicyclist rides past a hillside covered in yellow wildflowers, that are not native, along Sand Canyon Road near Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A man picks flowers among a sea mustard plants growing along the westbound 10 freeway and Tippecanoe Avenue offramp in San Bernardino on Friday, March 1, 2019. While beautiful, mustard is considered an invasive weed in Southern California. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Crafton Hills

Location: Sand Canyon Road, Yucaipa

What to know: The hillsides along Sand Canyon Road near Crafton Hills College have been bursting with bright yellow early-season flowers. There are also hiking trails in the nearby Crafton Hills Preserve.

Information: www.chosc.org/preserve

Poppies bloom at Diamond Valley Lake near Hemet in 2017. The wildflower trail at the lake will open for the 2019 season starting Saturday, March 2, 2019. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Diamond Valley Lake

Location: Visitor center is at 2325 Searl Parkway, Hemet.

What to know: A seasonal wildflower trail will open March 2, and biologists are expecting magnificent flowers this year once temperatures warm up a little. In addition to the 1.3-mile easy-to-moderate wildflower trail, there are two other longer year-round trails, and visitors can also see the flowers from a boat on the lake.

Hours: Trails open Wednesdays through Sundays from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through March 9, and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. starting March 10 (no entry starting an hour before closing time); visitor center open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.

Cost: $3 per person to use wildflower and lakeview trails, $10 per vehicle to park at marina

More information: www.dvlake.com

Joshua Tree National Park

Location: Oasis Visitor Center is at 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms; Joshua Tree Visitor Center is at 6554 Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree; Cottonwood Visitor Center is on Pinto Basin Road; Black Rock Nature Center is at 9800 Black Rock Canyon Road, Yucca Valley.

What to know: This popular national park can have wonderful wildflower displays, but a rare snowfall in February spelled the end for many of the blooms, especially at higher elevations in the park’s northern half, spokesman George Land said. A good bloom in those areas is still possible later in the year, though. For now, the southern part of the park is where to find flowers, including on the Bajada Nature Loop trail. Additionally, a Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman said there were nice flowers blooming on BLM land just outside the park, off Box Canyon Road south of the 10 Freeway.

Cost: Entrance fees, good for seven days, are $30 per passenger vehicle, $25 per motorcycle and $15 per person on foot or bicycle. There are different fees for annual or lifetime passes, and for people in tour groups.

More information: www.nps.gov/jotr, 760-367-5500, www.facebook.com/joshuatreenps, Instagram: @joshuatreenps, Twitter: @JoshuaTreeNPS

Malibu Creek State Park

Location: 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas

What to know: The wildflowers at this state park north of Los Angeles should start to put on a show in early to mid-March, said Craig Sap, the state parks’ Angeles District superintendent. Day-use and back-country areas in the park are open, but campgrounds remained closed because of damage from the Woolsey fire.

Hours: Gates open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cost: $3 per hour per vehicle (maximum of $12 per vehicle per day)

More information: parks.ca.gov/malibucreek, 818-880-0367

Mojave National Preserve

Location: Kelso Depot Visitor Center is at 90942 Kelso Cima Road, Kelso; Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center is at 1 Black Canyon Road, Essex.

What to know: This remote desert preserve is expecting a good wildflower season, and while flowers started blooming in early February, the peak is likely to come sometime between the end of March and end of April, depending on weather. David Lamfrom of the National Parks Conservation Association recommended the sandy areas around the Kelso Dunes and, later in the season, the cinder cone lava beds, where yellow flowers stand out against the black ground. (He noted that Amboy Crater in the nearby Mojave Trails National Monument is another good spring wildflower spot.)

More information: www.nps.gov/moja, 760-252-6100, www.facebook.com/Mojave-National-Preserve-151022481577447, Twitter: @MojavePres

Poppies and other wildflowers bloom in the aptly named Artist’s Palette field at the Oak Glen Preserve in May 2018. Because of its higher elevation, the flowers there bloom later in the spring. (File photo by Nikie Johnson/SCNG)

Oak Glen Preserve

Location: 39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen

What to know: Nestled in the apple-growing region of the San Bernardino Mountain foothills, this 2,200-acre nature preserve next to Los Rios Rancho is owned by The Wildlands Conservancy. It was closed for three weeks over the winter but will reopen March 2. Project manager John Trammell said the main bloom season is late April through early June, when the easy-to-access Artist’s Palette field is blanketed with yellow and purple blooms and the steeper trails within the preserve offer a nice array of flowers and other vegetation.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November through March, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April through October

More information: www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_oakglen.html, 909-797-8507, oakglenpreserve@twc-ca.org

  • California poppies bloom along the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday morning, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • School bells bloom along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  • With California poppies as a backdrop, lupine blooms on the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • With a hillside of blooming California poppies in the Weir Canyon Nature Preserve as a backdrop, mountain bikers ride along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Wednesday morning, February 27, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Parry’s phacelia blooms along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Hikers make their way across a hillside of blooming black mustard on the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Hikers and a trail runner make their way past blooming California poppies along the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Wednesday morning, February 27, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Fiddleneck blooms along the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • School bells bloom in a filed of California poppies along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday morning, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A mountain bikers rides past blooming California poppies along the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Wednesday morning, February 27, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • School bells bloom along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Red-stemmed filaree blooms next to California poppy on the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Lupine blooms on the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • California poppies bloom along the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday morning, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • School bells bloom along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • With a hillside of blooming California poppies as a backdrop, hikers walk along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Wednesday morning, February 27, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • The California golden violet blooms on the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Parry’s phacelia blooms along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Red-stemmed filaree blooms along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Calystegia blooms on the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Parry’s phacelia blooms along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Black mustard blooms along the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • California poppies bloom along the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday morning, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Calystegia blooms on the Old Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • School bells bloom in a filed of California poppies along the Weir Canyon Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday morning, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Orange County parks

Location: Various

What to know: Among county-run parks in Orange County, Santiago Oaks Regional Park and Irvine Regional Park, both near Orange, were seeing some early bloomers such as poppies, lupine and wild hyacinth by late February, said spokeswoman Charlene Cheng, but the peak was still to come. Other parks that tend to have good flower displays include Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park in Laguna Niguel, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in Laguna Beach, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in the Trabuco Canyon area, O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano and Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange. As of March 1, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park was closed due to storm damage and several other parks had some trails closed, so check park websites for the latest conditions before heading out.

More information: www.ocparks.com

Palos Verdes Peninsula

Location: Multiple locations on the peninsula west of Long Beach and south of Torrance

What to know: The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy operates multiple nature reserves covering 1,600 acres of land that is home to many rare species of flora and fauna. Wildflowers were starting to bloom in late February and expected to be abundant by late March and early April. Officials recommend joining a free guided nature walk to see the flowers, which are thriving thanks to the hard work of habitat restoration projects; however, self-guided walks are also possible. Details about all the conservancy’s events are at pvplc.org/_events/calendar.asp or 310-541-7613.

More information: www.pvplc.org

Point Mugu State Park

Location: 9000 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

What to know: This state park where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the shoreline features more than 70 miles of hiking trails and, during the spring, great wildflowers. Craig Sap, the state parks’ Angeles District superintendent, recommends the La Jolla Canyon and Sycamore/Serrano Canyon areas to see flowers like giant coreopsis, lupine and poppies.

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset at Sycamore Cove and Mugu Beach parking lots; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Sycamore Canyon and Thornhill Broome campgrounds

Cost: $3 per hour per vehicle (maximum of $12 per vehicle per day)

More information: www.parks.ca.gov/pointmugu, 310-457-8143

Puente Hills Preserve

Location: Sycamore Canyon trailhead is at 5040 Workman Mill Road, Whittier; Hacienda Hills trailhead is at 7th Avenue and Orange Grove

What to know: Some lupine and sunflowers started blooming in late February but interpretive programs coordinator Terri Hernandez expected the peak to start in March — and noted that flowers here come in fast and die off fast as soon as hot weather hits. She recommended the Sycamore Canyon Trail, an easy path, and the steeper Hacienda Hills Trail, especially the Ahwingna branch, as having the best wildflower displays. There also will be a flower hike April 20.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in October through May, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in June through September

More information: www.habitatauthority.org, 562-945-9003

  • California poppies bloom along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • California poppies bloom along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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  • California poppies bloom along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Boulders with defaced peace and love signs overlooks the valley along El Sobrante Road near Lake Mathews in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Stacked rocks along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A painted boulder overlooks the valley and cactuses along El Sobrante Road near Lake Mathews in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • California poppies bloom along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • California poppies bloom along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • California poppies bloom along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • California poppies bloom along a trial in Harford Springs Reserve in Perris on Thursday, February 28, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Riverside County parks

Location: Various

What to know: Among county-run parks in Riverside County, Harford Springs Reserve outside Perris was getting the earliest start on wildflowers; it also has the benefit of being one of the less-traveled parks. This should also be a really good year for flowers at the Santa Rosa Plateau Wildlife Reserve outside Murrieta, spokeswoman Kyla Brown said, although as of late February, some areas were inaccessible due to winter rain damage (repairs were underway). Other county parks that could have good wildflower blooms are Box Springs Mountain Reserve between Moreno Valley and Riverside and Hidden Valley Wildlife Area in Riverside.

More information: www.rivcoparks.org/harford-springs-reserve

San Gabriel Mountains and foothills

Location: Various

What to know: The habitat here doesn’t lend itself to superbloom displays but many areas have lovely flowers later in the spring and into early summer, said Cliff and Gabi McLean of the California Native Plant Society’s San Gabriel Mountains Chapter. They recommended Eaton Canyon in the Pasadena area, San Dimas Canyon, Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, Monrovia Canyon, Chantry Flats (with a warning to show up very early because parking can be bad) and, late in the season, the fields along the Angels Crest Highway, where wildflowers can bloom into July.

More information: www.ecnca.org, parks.lacounty.gov/san-dimas-canyon-community-regional-park, www.ci.claremont.ca.us, www.cityofmonrovia.org, www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41832, angelescrestscenichighway.com

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Location: Visitor center is at King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas; entrance to Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center is at Lynn Road and Via Goleta, Newbury Park.

What to know: Some flowers were blooming in late February, but biologist Mark Mendelsohn said he expects the peak time will be mid-March to mid-April. Recommended locations include Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, Paramount Ranch, Cheeseboro and Palo Comado canyons and the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area. Almost 90 percent of this recreation area was damaged in the Woolsey fire and some areas remain closed, although some trails are expected to reopen this spring. The fire does present an opportunity for flower-seekers — certain species of “fire-following” flowers only bloom in areas that have recently been burned.

Hours: Parking lots open 8 a.m. to sunset

More information: www.nps.gov/samo

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Location: Visitor center is at 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert.

What to know: Wildflowers should be abundant this year in this 280,000-acre park on the Coachella Valley side of the mountains. The best places for early-season blooms are south-facing slopes at lower elevations, says interpretive specialist Tracy Albrecht. Higher elevations and north-facing slopes bloom later; flowers can be seen as late as June on Mount San Jacinto. Information on what’s currently blooming can be found at the visitor center.

Hours: Visitor center open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday/Wednesday)

More information: www.blm.gov/visit/santa-rosa-san-jacinto-mountains-national-monument, 760-862-9984

  • Huy Tran of Fountain Valley scouts a wildflower hiking area of California poppies before bringing his family. “I’d give it two more weeks,” Tran says at Lake St. just east of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Wildflowers are blooming near the Lake St. exit just east of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. However, on this cold afternoon most of the California poppies were closed. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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  • California poppies dot the hillsides near Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Poppies and a palm are seen near the Lake St. exit along the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore, Calif. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. A handful of hikers were nearby, but it’s expected to be more crowded when the wildflowers blanket the landscape. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Wildflowers such as this California poppy are so pretty they can stop traffic along the 15 Freeway at Lake St. in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Huy Tran of Fountain Valley gets landscaping ideas hiking through a spotty field of California poppies at Lake St. just east of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore, Calif. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Huy Tran of Fountain Valley does double duty, scouting a wildflower hiking area for his family and gathering landscaping ideas at Lake St. just east of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A couple, armed with their pug, hike a trail of wildflowers at Lake St. just east of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • Wildflowers are blooming near the Lake St. just east of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore, Calif. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. However, on this cold afternoon most of the California poppies were closed. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

  • A petal-less California poppy as seen off Lake St. just east of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore, Calif. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Walker Canyon

Location: Trailhead is at Lake Street and Walker Canyon Road off the 15 Freeway north of Lake Elsinore.

What to know: The poppy-covered hillsides here can be so beautiful that local officials have to warn drivers on the 15 Freeway to keep their eyes on the road. Vehicles have also been known to stop illegally on the shoulder. People wanting to enjoy this view can exit at Lake Street and park along Walker Canyon Road.

More information: www.wrc-rca.org

Related story: Two years after stunning wildflower superbloom stopped traffic, Lake Elsinore takes precautions