Wildflowers in California: Witnessing the Super Bloom

Note: This post originally appeared at Travelocity.com. 

The Super Bloom

It only occurs once every 10-20 years, so when it does, you have to go. I’m talking about the super bloom of wildflowers at Anza-Borrego State Park, which is happening right now – millions of seeds erupting in a riot of colors, brought to life by unusually heavy winter rains.

The super bloom in Anza-Borrego State Park

Anza-Borrego is California’s largest state park, roughly two hours east of San Diego and 3-4 hours from Los Angeles and Ventura counties. I drove down last week and met up with friends. Our intent was to stay in a hotel. Unfortunately Borrego Springs has enough hotels for a normal tourist season, which is to say that there are far too few rooms to house the tens of thousands of visitors who are drawn to the park when the flowers bloom. So I camped – for the first time in 15 years. It was easy to go online and rent a space at the Borrego Springs Palm Canyon campground. So easy, in fact, that the kids and I are already planning future camping around California.

Arriving in Anza-Borrego

Driving down from central California, the flowers actually started early into my 4.5 hour journey, dotting the hillsides along the freeways. The golden poppies around Lake Elsinore are particularly stunning. I honestly couldn’t re-create my route if I tried, relying on the Waze App to get me to Anza-Borrego, but eventually I was on the S22, coming over the mountains and into Borrego Valley and Borrego Springs. There are numerous pullouts to allow for photos of the valley. I took advantage.

Looking out over Borrego Valley and Borrego Springs

Then it was through the valley, past the town and into the campground. I had brought camping chairs, but they weren’t necessary. Our group space had several tables, benches, a campfire ring, and a grill. We set up camp and headed to the flowers.

Click HERE to read the rest of this article at Travelocity.com. 

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