5 Wonderful California Spring Superblooms
Spring is here, especially in California, where gardens and fields are alive with a variety of vibrant colorful flowers. Here are 5 exciting venues to visit to take in the beauty and floral smells that will excite your senses.
The Flower Fields
Colorful Ranunculus Superbloom
Now through May 12, 2024, millions of vibrant colored ranunculus in a rainbow of colors are blooming over 50 acres of The Flower Fields on the hillside of Carlsbad Ranch in Carlsbad, CA. Tecolote Giant Ranunculus bulbs were planted in different stages to prolong the blooming season.i At the field’s floral peak, there are close to 80 million flowers in full bloom.
Ranunculus in bloom at The Flower Fields. Photo Jill Weinlein
Besides the colorful ranunculus, Carlsbad Ranch also plants red, white and blue petunias in rows to resemble the American Flag. Above the fields is The Cassara Carlsbad Resort. Many of the guest rooms overlook the superbloom of flowers, and the resort is offering a Stay, See, Sip, Savor and Save package.
The Flower Fields. Photo Jill Weinlein
- Stay in a comfortable modern guest room. The Cassara Carlsbad offers accommodation fit for all family sizes.
- See the Flower Fields with two admission tickets presented to guests at check-in.
- Two guests 21+ years old will get to Sip a Flower Power Sour Welcome drink on arrival.
- Savor a box of specially crafted flower themed chocolates made locally by Seabreeze Craft Chocolates
Save on parking, this special offers complimentary parking and a free shuttle ride to and from the fields below. This offer is good until May 12, 2024. Stay and See packages start at $254 a night.
Descanso Gardens
A Hidden Gem in Los Angeles County
Descanso Gardens. Photo Jill Weinlein
Descanso Gardens has tulips of every hue sprouting in their gardens. Yellow and white daffodils have opened too to display their beautiful petals. This botanical garden and living museum about 20 minutes from Los Angeles also has different shades of lavender and purple in the lilac garden.
Tulips blooming at Descanso Gardens. Photo Jill Weinlein
Be sure to walk over to the Japanese Garden to take in the beauty of the Azaleas, Cherry Trees blossoming and Camellia Forest. Throughout the gardens the Magnolias are flowering too.
Japanese Garden blooms. Photo Jill Weinlein
Paso Robles
Central California’s Wine Country Wildflowers
Right in the center of Los Angeles and San Francisco are magnificent rolling fields filled with purple lupines, golden and pink evening primrose, fiery Indian paintbrush, and bright orange poppies. There are more than 200 wineries in Paso Robles, and during springtime, hundreds of ranunculus are in bloom at Niner Wine Estate in their California Chefs Garden.
Niner Wine Estate Instagram
What makes this winery so unique is looking out the floor to ceiling glass windows in the tasting room and seeing a heart shaped grove of oak trees. It’s right in the center of Niner Wine Estates vineyard, and has become an iconic romantic weekend getaway stop. It’s also a picturesque engagement and wedding venue.
Niner Winery Estate. Photo Jill Weinlein
Dine at Niner Winery Estate. Photo Jill Weinlein
Owner Richard Niner acquired land in the 1990s, and now his son Andy continues his father’s vision inside the tasting room, at the restaurant and winery. They are solar powered and LEED certified.
The estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, as well as the grapes for their flagship blend Fog Catcher, grow among tall mustard flowers blowing in a marine breeze.
Owner Andy Niner and Chef Jacob Burrell
On Apri 13, Niner Winery Estate is hosting a collaborative Winemaker Dinner with winemaker Molly Bohemian. This special evening celebrates the beauty of the vineyards serving cool-climate coastal wines with a Chef Jacob Burrell’s wine country menu.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
A Superbloom of vibrant orange colors
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Come see acres of bright orange California poppies unfurl their petals in the warm sunshine at Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. There are 8 miles of trails and paved sections for wheelchair access to get close to this superbloom. The season runs from late March to early May.
Benches are located along the trails to admire the flowers and local wildlife, such as hawks, meadow larks, lizards, and gopher snakes.
Here is the park trail map to follow easy, moderate and difficult trails.
Alisal Ranch
Pressed Flower Workshop in Santa Ynez Valley
Alisal Ranch
The golden hills of Central California in the Santa Ynez Valley are blooming with wildflowers and California poppies. Alisal Ranch honors the blooms by hosting a Pressed Flower Workshop for guests on April 6, 2024 from 1-3. Led be the owner of a local flower business, guests can select local wildflowers (such as rosemary, lavender, dandelions, pansies, poppies, marigolds, and more). The event allows participants to press, hand-design, and create framed floral artwork to take home for endless memories of their springtime visit to the ranch.
