As winter turns to spring in Northern California, many people look forward to the annual display of wildflowers that blankets the region’s hills and meadows. And in some years, lucky visitors may be treated to a phenomenon known as a “superbloom,” when an exceptionally wet winter leads to an explosion of colorful blooms across the landscape.
While predicting a superbloom can be tricky, there are a few key areas that are known for putting on a show when conditions are right. Here are some places to check out in Northern California in 2023:
- Beeks Bight, Folsom Lake: Located west of Sacramento, Folsom Lake is home to huge swaths of blue lupines. From mid-April to early May, you can find fields upon fields of these gorgeous flowers. Get there by going to the Beeks Bight parking lot and taking a stroll. You can’t miss them!
- North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve: This expansive mesa formed by ancient lava flow located near Oroville attracts wildflower enthusiasts during the blooming season, from early March to mid-May. Among many others, you may see lupine, Foothill triteleia, Sierra primroses, blue dicks, and poppies. By early April, bright yellow Douglas’ violets will start to pop up in the grasslands, along with pale yellow daisies, white meadowfoam, and magenta shooting stars and buttercups. Other flower species present in the area include blue dicks, blue-and-white bird’s eye gilia, magenta Kellog’s monkeyflower, and purple owl’s clover.
- Lake Tahoe: In the Sierras above Sacramento, blooming in the higher altitudes occurs from late April to July, but in years with little rain, flowers may bloom earlier in the season. In Lake Tahoe, you may find white phlox, Mariposa lily, yellow plantain buttercup, blue lupine, bright-red snow plant, Indian paintbrush, and lacy pussypaws.
- Mount Diablo State Park: Blooming occurs from early March to May. Throughout the park, you may see blue skullcap, Fendler’s meadow-rue, Johnny jump up’s, bush lupine, monkey flowers, globe lilies, California poppies, bird’s eyes, and wallflowers. Check out this wildflower identification guide from the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association.
- Point Reyes National Seashore: This coastal park in Marin County is known for its rugged coastline and scenic hikes, but it’s also a great place to see wildflowers in the spring. Look for milkmaids, shooting stars, and other colorful species in the park’s grasslands and forests.
- Mount Tamalpais State Park: This park just north of San Francisco is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but it’s also home to a diverse array of wildflowers. Look for fields of yellow buttercups, purple iris, and pink checkerbloom in the park’s meadows and hillsides.
Of course, there are many other places to see wildflowers in Northern California, and the timing and intensity of blooms can vary widely from year to year. To get the most up-to-date information on bloom conditions, check with local park rangers or visit the California State Parks website. And remember to be respectful of the natural environment when you’re out enjoying the flowers – stay on designated trails, pack out your trash, and leave the flowers for others to enjoy.
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This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.