
Our highlights: Walker Canyon near Lake Elsinore is where all those unbelievable pictures came from of hills blanketed in bright saffron-colored poppies with hints of purple dipterostemon in between. To get to San Diego, continue driving south on I-15 South for 75 miles.
LA HIDDEN FLOWERS HOW TO
How to get there: From Los Angeles, head towards San Bernardino on Interstate 10 East then navigate via CA Route 71 South to Interstate 15 (I-15) South. The ultimate wildflower location: Lake Elsinore Take the short drive to Lake Elsinore to discover a sea of orange superblooms. Why you should take this trip: This short but rewarding trip takes you between two of the largest cities in California and past one of the most photogenic superblooms in the entire state. Los Angeles to San Diego Via Lake Elsinore READ MORE - Road trip from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park 2. Areas between 3,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level will experience blooms from early March to May and on trails above 5,000 feet you can see beautiful bursts of color as late as June. The timing of the bloom differs for higher elevations. When is the best time to visit: The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park for wildflower viewing is from February to March. Alternatively, plan on camping in the park or staying in nearby palm springs to wake up closer to a magnificent dawn experience. Our travel tips: If you want to watch one of those famous sunrises over the Cholla Cactus Garden in the park then plan on leaving Los Angeles early- really early – around 3 a.m. An architectural wonder that literally reflects the glory of this unique landscape is the “invisible house.”īuilt on a 90-acre property adjacent to the national park, this long, mirrored building functions as a filming location and luxury vacation rental. Local gems: Joshua Tree, or J-Tree as it's known locally, has long been a magnate for creatives seeking desert inspiration. In addition to being able to camp overnight here, there are towering purple lupines, golden poppies, and happy yellow brittlebush blossoms along the Bajada Trail. One of our favorites, visible later in the season, is the bright magenta blooms of the hedgehog cactus.įewer visitors from within California enter the park from the Southern Entrance near the Cottonwood Campground, off Interstate 10, but this is one of the best places to see wildflowers in the entire park.

Many of these spiny cacti and adjacent wildflowers erupt in a stunning array of colors. The Cholla Cactus Garden is one of the most popular spots in Joshua Tree any time of the year, but in April and May it becomes an even more must-see attraction. In the spring, these looming boulders are surrounded by desert paintbrush and California indigo bush among other wildflowers. The Split Rock Loop takes you out to the Jumbo Rocks, a popular and often photographed region in the park. Our highlights: Being a national park, there are many well-maintained trails that run throughout Joshua Tree. Finally, take CA Route 62 north towards Morongo Valley and the Joshua Tree National Park entrance.

Once there, link up with Interstate 10 East towards Palm Springs. How to get there: Start driving on Interstate 10 East, then head through Riverside via Interstates 15 and 215 East.

What kind of flowers will you see on this trip: The ultimate wildflower location: Joshua Tree National Park You'll discover California poppies and cacti at iconic Joshua Tree National Park. This road trip from LA to Joshua Tree has it all!

LA HIDDEN FLOWERS FULL
Why you should take this trip: Head out to the desert to catch one of California's most hauntingly beautiful national parks in full bloom. San Francisco to Death Valley National Parkġ. Las Vegas to Los Angeles and Palos Verdes Peninsula Sacramento to Lassen Volcanic National Park Best road trip routes to view the wildflowers of California Route Read on below to find out which places in California are the best for viewing wildflowers, when you're most likely to see them, and the best way to get there. Especially in the southern deserts, the landscape is completely transformed for a few weeks between late February and May as the seeds erupt through the soft earth and carpet the land with swathes of lemon, amber, violet, and crimson.Įven though the deserts in the south are more famous for producing superblooms, hills throughout the state can erupt in a mosaic of color in the spring.
