It is officially Spring! Every year the flowers bloom in California, but after a record-breaking winter of rain, it has officially been dubbed a “Super Bloom” year. This has caused locals and tourists alike to flock to the deserts of SoCal to enjoy the wildflowers.

I went to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in 2017, during the last Super Bloom, and it was gorgeous! I’m hoping to get out to see the Super Bloom again this year, but I wanted to share some information before the season was over.

First of all, let’s be respectful of the environment. The most important rule when visiting the Super Bloom is to STAY ON THE TRAIL! If you step onto the flowers, you are crushing the delicate flower stems, destroying the ecosystem, and running the risk of the flowers not coming back in subsequent years. You’ll also look like a dumb tourist, and no one wants that.

If you don’t want the path in your picture, try shooting up from a lower angle, or taking a tighter photograph that shows the flowers behind you (see below). A great thing about staying on the path is that it forces you to be more creative in your photography!

I’d also recommend going on a weekday, if possible. If you have to go on the weekend, try getting there as early as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds. This has been one of the most popular years yet, so you’ll probably run into crowds regardless of when you go. I’d also recommend making a bathroom stop before you get to the Super Bloom and bringing water/a snack. Part of the beauty of the wildflowers is that they’re wild, but it also means there aren’t a lot of amenities nearby.

Below is a good article from the LA Times about the different areas you can go to see the Super Bloom.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-where-to-find-super-bloom-southern-california/

Most importantly, have fun! The Super Bloom is a special thing that doesn’t happen every year, so don’t get so wrapped up in getting the perfect shot that you forget to take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty.

Happy Spring!