These Locations in California Are Expected to Experience a Super Bloom in 2024

A series of atmospheric rivers and Hurricane Hilary contributed to making 2023 one of California’s wettest winters ever recorded. The state saw 141% of its typical annual rainfall, with the snowpack reaching its highest depth in four decades.

This abundance of moisture suggests that super blooms should be widespread this year, right? Not quite. Californians recall that 2022 was also particularly rainy, which helped the state recover from years of severe drought. That record-setting rainfall triggered super-bloom events across California. However, while these areas will still showcase blooming wildflowers, they may not necessarily see a super bloom. For a genuine super bloom to occur, a significant number of seeds that have lain dormant and accumulated in the soil over the years must bloom simultaneously. This also indicates that some locations that missed out on a super bloom last year are now more likely to experience one in 2024.

Here’s everything you should know about the super-bloom season in 2024.

What exactly is a super bloom?

California is renowned for its native wildflowers that bloom annually—onlookers might catch glimpses of irises, sky lupines, bluebells, desert lilies, and perhaps the most iconic flower, the California poppy, which is the state’s official flower. Super blooms, however, are legendary. They happen when a large number of dormant wildflower seeds in California’s deserts spring to life simultaneously after a particularly generous rainy season. There isn’t a strict scientific definition of a super bloom; instead, it’s a cultural phenomenon that enjoys immense popularity.

The conditions that can lead to a super bloom are both temperamental and fragile. Yet, when all the elements align, the sight is stunning, with larkspur, poppies, and clover swaying in the gentle breeze throughout the state. While it's still a bit premature to make definitive predictions, early signs indicate that super blooms could emerge in some regions this year.

The prime time for experiencing a super bloom

Super blooms aren’t an annual occurrence; they are a rare event that typically happens only once every 10 to 15 years. The last three super blooms in California unfolded in 2017, 2019, and 2023.

Generally, the super-bloom season spans from February to May, coinciding with the usual wildflower season, and often reaches its peak around mid-March. However, the timing can differ by region:

• The Central Coast: mid-March to mid-April
• Los Angeles County: mid-March to early April
• The Mojave: April and May
• The Sierra Foothills: mid-March through late April
• The Bay Area: late April to mid-June
• The High Sierra mountains: June and July

During the brief months that super blooms grace California, visitors from across the state and beyond flock to witness them. In 2019, some sites, like Lake Elsinore, welcomed as many as 100,000 visitors in just one weekend.

How to experience a super bloom

Botanist Karen Wiese advised Visit California that flower enthusiasts should bring a wildflower guide to identify the blooms they encounter, but they can also utilize apps like Google Lens or PictureThis for on-the-spot identification. She also suggests carrying a handheld magnifying lens with 10x magnification to appreciate the colors, patterns, and details of the flowers. Additionally, a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy hiking shoes, water, and a lightweight poncho are essential due to the heat in California’s deserts. Travelers seeking a guided experience can look into the California Native Plant Society, which has High Sierra chapters offering expert-led hikes and field trips.

It's important for visitors to stay on designated trails, carry out their trash, and refrain from picking wildflowers. In 2019, an influx of visitors to remote California areas led to the term “Super Bloom Apocalypse,” prompting Lake Elsinore to preemptively restrict access during wildflower season in 2023 by closing off the canyon where the poppies thrive and adjacent parking areas.

Where can I witness a super bloom?

Super blooms usually occur in areas that received significant rainfall during the preceding winter. This year, since nearly the entire state experienced above-average rainfall, super blooms are expected to emerge statewide. While no super blooms in California have been officially verified yet, three locations are showing promising indicators for 2024:

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is one of the most eagerly awaited spots for viewing a super bloom in California. Known for its extreme conditions, Death Valley has recorded some of the highest temperatures ever noted on Earth. However, approximately every 15 years, when the right conditions come together, Death Valley bursts into life with a vibrant super bloom. Although it's too soon to confirm if one will occur this year, early signs are encouraging: Young shoots have already been observed throughout the park. The best areas to see wildflowers in Death Valley right now are around Panamint Valley and near the Ubehebe Crater.

Joshua Tree National Park

As one of California’s most frequented national parks, Joshua Tree is located about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Los Angeles. Here, visitors can discover wildflower favorites like the golden poppy, alongside stunning desert flowers such as prickly pear blossoms, evening primroses, Mojave asters, and desert paintbrushes. Blooming at lower elevations generally begins in February and March, while flowers at higher elevations may not emerge until June.

Mojave National Preserve

Spanning 1.6 million acres, Mojave National Preserve is among the largest areas in the National Park System but is also one of its least frequented locations, making it a perfect spot for peaceful wildflower viewing. The Mojave experienced an unusually heavy rainfall in 2023, and is expected to showcase a beautiful array of wildflower blooms this year. Visitors can anticipate discovering unique desert flora such as Bigelow’s monkeyflower, Mojave prickly poppy, and the desert pin cushion.

This article was first published in 2023 and was last updated on February 27, 2024 with the latest information.