Thanks to all the recent rain, we’re seeing an abundance of wildflowers across the Southland. For a breathtaking superbloom experience, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is carpeted with our beautiful state flower as far as the eye can see. Wisteria season is here, and The Huntington is enveloped in a winding canopy of these gorgeous ornamental blooms. Decanso Gardens is a visual feast of flowering trees, which are an April bloom highlight. To stay up-to-date on what’s blooming, Theodore Payne Foundation’s Wild Flower Hotline provides information on the best locations for viewing spring wildflowers, with many locations not far from Circa.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve 15101 Lancaster Rd. Lancaster, CA 93536

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. Eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills, including a paved section for wheelchair access, make the park a wonderful place to hike and explore. Benches located along the trails make good places to sit quietly and watch for wildlife, such as meadow larks, lizards, and gopher snakes. If you’re lucky, you may spot a coyote or bobcat.

Zuma Canyon Trail Trailhead 5721 Bonsall Dr. Malibu, CA 90265

One of the best ways to see wildflowers is to take a hike. Zuma Canyon Trail is 2.8-mile trail that explores the open Zuma Canyon. The sandy trail stretches north along a stony creek bed and through brushy open space. As the mouth of the canyon closes, oaks and sycamores become more abundant, providing greenery and shade for trail users. This trail has amazing views of Zuma Canyon and is abundant with native wildlife, vegetation, and gorgeous spring blooms. For more great local hikes, visit Trails LA County.

Theodore Payne Foundation 10459 Tuxford St. Los Angeles, CA 91352

To learn more about California’s abundant flora, visit the Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF), a nonprofit organization that inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plants. Located on 22 acres of beautiful canyon land in the San Fernando Valley, the TPF includes a full-service nursery, alongside display gardens, wild land hiking trails, an art gallery, educational facilities, and more.

Huntington Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 

Explore a winding canopy of Wisteria blooming now in the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and Children’s Garden at The Huntington. Encompassing over 130 acres, The Huntington Botanical Gardens feature living collections in 16 stunning themed gardens with more than 83,000 living plants, including rare and endangered species, and a laboratory for botanical conservation and research. 

Arlington Garden 275 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105

A hidden gem in the heart of Pasadena, Arlington Garden is the city’s only dedicated free public garden. This  charming three-acre community-built mediterranean garden is located on Caltrans-owned land. The garden includes thousands of California-native plants such as poppies, sunflowers, cactus and succulents, and orchards of orange and olive trees. Arlington Garden is not only friendly to people and pets, but also exists as a refuge for Pasadena’s native fauna. Birds, bees and butterflies are particularly abundant and can be seen throughout the year. 

Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Descanso Gardens is a botanical garden, living museum, and urban oasis just 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. Situated on 150 acres of cultivated and wild land, Descanso Gardens is nestled into a natural bowl by surrounding mountains. Visitors can explore the many paths and trails, verdant woodlands, lush gardens, and colorful native flowers. Don’t miss the gorgeous flowering trees, which are an April bloom highlight. To discover the year-round beauty of Descanso, check their Bloom Calendar.

Bloom at South Coast Botanic Garden 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Awaken your senses this spring when the Garden comes alive with new blooms and pollinators a flutter. Throughout the Bloom exhibit, you are asked to tap into your senses and live in the moment. The journey will begin in the courtyard with a stunning display. Guests will then be guided to a variety of areas that are newly planted, and ultimately lead you to the Amphitheater Lawn, where they’ve planted over 21,000 bulbs. This colorful and unique display of flora will invite guests to become immersed in the beauty of nature. As the season continues and new flowers arrive, the experience will continue to Bloom! 

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden 270 Arlington Dr.Pasadena, CA 91105

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden was created by Kinzuchi Fujii for Charles and Ellamae Storrier Stearns in 1935. Fujii designed and built Japanese landscapes across Southern California in the first half of the 20th century. The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is his only remaining garden and the only intact example of a major Japanese-style garden created before World War II for a residence in Southern California. This pond-style stroll garden features a fifteen-foot waterfall and a formal teahouse on approximately two acres of land. The garden is considered by many to be a masterwork and it demonstrates the adaptability of Japanese culture in modern America. 

Los Angeles County Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site located in what was the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita in the city of Arcadia. A stroll through the Arboretum will take you through a variety of gardens and landscapes that offer beauty and tranquility as well as ideas for your own outdoor spaces.  The Arboretum is also home to historic structures including the Queen Anne Cottage, Coach Barn, and Reid-Baldwin Adobe.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Descanso Gardens

Photo #2: California Department of Parks and Recreation

Photo #3: National Park Service / LA County Department of Parks and Recreation

Photo #4: Theodore Payne Foundation

Photo #5: The Huntington 

Photo #6: Arlington Garden 

Photo #7: Descanso Gardens

Photo #8: South Coast Botanic Garden

Photo #9: Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Photo #10: Los Angeles County Arboretum