California poppies bloom in Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve with peak in bloom in mid-April

March 24, 9:34 AMSeattle North American Travel ExaminerStephanie Jolly

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California poppies bloom on the hillsides of the Mojave Desert, in Antelope Valley SNR. 
Photo: docentjoyce, Flickr CC

Every spring, the desert hills of Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve come ablaze with a swatch of brilliant orange as the native wildflower Eschscholzia californica blooms outside Lancaster, Calilfornia.  This yellow-orange poppy is also the California state wildflower and is celebratated every April during the California Poppy Festival.

Park biologists do not make predictions regarding the peak bloom date, although it typically occurs in mid-April.  According to Mike Powell, in his January research field notes, the park is "still on the path leading to an outstanding wildflower season."  While California poppies can be seen throughout the state, the State Natural Reserve is located on 1700 acres of land which yield the most consistent blooms annually.  Interspersed throughout the poppies are other wildflowers, such as purple lupine and yellow goldfield. 

On March 14th, the 2,000 sq foot Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center reopened and will be open daily throughout the wildflower season.  Inside, visitors to the State Natural Reserve will find videos and interactive displays to enhance their visit to Antelope Valley.  Free guided public tours are available at 11am on weekdays and at 10am and 2pm on weekends.  Visitors to the poppy reserve are also welcome to explore the desert grassland on foot by utilizing the over eight miles of hiking trails located within the center.  The popular Antelope Loop Trail is a gentle 2.5 mile loop that weavesthrough  fields of desert wildflowers before cresting on the nearby Antelope Butte Vista Point, where day trippers can enjoy the panoramic views of of the Mojave Desert before returning to the visitor center.

Plan Your Visit to Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

Take advantage of cheap California airfares and fly from Seattle to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  The California  Poppy preserve is located 65 miles north of Los Angeles and 15 miles east of Lancaster, California.  The natural reserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset.  Admission is free but parking is $7 per vehicle or $6 with a passenger over the age of 62 on board.  Be prepared for strong winds across the Mojave Desert.  If you plan to stay the whole day, pack a picnic lunch to eat at one of the shaded picnic tables near the visitor's center as there are no eateries within the reserve. 

For more flower festivals across the country, check out this post: Ten spring flower festivals blossom across the nation.