A significant bloom of wildflowers is currently visible across several California desert regions, attracting visitors to view the seasonal displays. Areas such as Greater Palm Springs, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve, Death Valley National Park, and Carrizo Plain National Monument are reporting a variety of flowers in bloom.
In Greater Palm Springs and surrounding Coachella Valley towns, species including purple sand verbena, yellow brittlebush, and brown-eyed primrose can be seen along trails and roads. Mission Creek Preserve in Desert Hot Springs features brittlebush and desert lavender near the creek. Indian Canyons in Palm Springs offers sightings of Arizona lupine and beavertail prickly-pear cactus among other plants. Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is noted for its yellow-flowered brittlebush and gold desert dandelions along the ridgeline trail to Pushwalla Palms.
At Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, wildflower blooms began earlier than usual following nearly 3.5 inches of rain last November and December. The park has seen sand verbena, desert lily, evening primrose, and desert sunflowers since early January. While a January heat spell affected some blossoms, February rains improved conditions into March. Visitors are encouraged to check maps and updates from the Anza Borrego Foundation before traveling.
Henderson Canyon Road outside Borrego Springs is highlighted for its large areas of purple sand verbena and clusters of evening primrose. Along S-22 highway and Coyote Canyon Road—where high-clearance vehicles are recommended—visitors can see a variety of species including apricot mallow, purple desert phacelia, Fremont’s pincushion, as well as common wildflowers like verbena and sunflowers.
Joshua Tree National Park experienced mild weather in January followed by frost in February but continues to display creamy white blooms on Joshua trees and Mojave yucca since early January. Lower elevations around Cottonwood and Pinto Basin feature bladder pod, desert gold, brittlebush, Arizona lupine, and poppies along the Bajada Trail. Flowering expands through March into higher elevations such as Hidden Valley and Black Rock Canyon.
At Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve near Los Angeles, early-blooming poppies have appeared due to unseasonably warm weather in January; more extensive blooming is expected following February rains with updates available via the park’s “Poppy Cam.” The Jane Pinheiro Interpretive Center will reopen March 1 alongside activation of the Poppy Hotline (661-724-1880).
Death Valley National Park describes this season as a “good bloom year,” with low-elevation flowers blooming since mid-February on alluvial fans and washes between Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek along Highway 190. South Badwater Road also features flowering sand verbena and five spot among others. David Blacker of Death Valley Natural History Association stated: “Death Valley is poised for a better-than-average bloom,” adding that duration depends on mild temperatures and winds: “If we get them, we could have flowers into May.”
Carrizo Plain National Monument east of San Luis Obispo—though not a desert—is also experiencing early spring blooms after winter rains. West-facing slopes near Caliente Ridge are showing hillside daisies, orange poppies, and blue phacelia according to recent visitor reports. Monument manager Johna Hurl said: “Displays seem to be earlier this year due to the early rains and warm temperatures.” Some monument roads may be difficult or impassable after rain; updates are available via Facebook or at Goodwin Education Center (661-391-6191).
Wildflower displays are expected to continue across Northern California and higher elevations throughout coming months.
