Essential Wildflower-Viewing Etiquette For Visiting California's Popular Superblooms

Like all Instagrammable events, the California "superbloom" will bring on the crowds. This FOMO-inducing phenomenon is a rare occurrence and doesn't happen every year. If the conditions are right and the land is blessed with a wet winter, California wildflowers will bloom in unison this spring in all their glory. Due to the rains this past summer and winter, national and state parks predict it is likely there will be a superbloom in 2025. 

Experiencing the California superbloom is one of the many things every American should do in their lifetime. And since it doesn't happen every year, tourists should take advantage. However, the rarity of this phenomenon coupled with its virality on social media has caused some issues. Wildflowers are extremely fragile and must be visited with care. In 2017, many fields were destroyed by tourism. Wildflower viewing is more regulated today, but there is plenty more you need to know about superbloom etiquette before you visit.

Your first priority should be to preserve these beautiful blossoms. As with any outdoor activity, visitors should keep in mind and follow the leave no trace principles (LNT), one of the must-know terms for your next outdoor adventure. The LNT principles include staying on the designated trails, refraining from picking the flowers, packing out trash, respecting wildlife, and obeying road and trail closures and restrictions.

In 2019, visitors flocked to some of the most incredible destinations to see spring flowers, breaking records for superbloom viewing and attendance. It also became all the rage on social media and attracted even more people. So many people in one place trying to capture the perfect photo resulted in tragedy for the wildflowers as they were caught in the middle of the frenzy. Word of advice: Don't be one of these people. Not only are you disrespecting nature, you're ruining the experience for everyone else.

This doesn't mean you should stop yourself from going to see the superbloom. But you should be mindful at all times. This means respecting the space even if it means sacrificing the perfect photo opportunity. While it may be tempting to get in between the rows of wildflowers for a photo worthy of your IG grid, you should instead stick to the designated trail and get creative with your poses. This way, you'll be following LNT principles and you won't risk trampling the flowers and ruining the experience for your fellow visitors.

You should also refrain from picking any of the wildflowers. Your photos will be a better and more lasting souvenir anyway. Picking wildflowers can affect future blooms as picked flowers are unable to seed. You don't want to ruin this experience for future visitors. 

One of the best moves you can make to ensure you have a mindful wildflower viewing experience is to visit locations that don't have large crowds. More people in one place increases the likelihood of the flowers getting damaged. Don't be afraid to look for hidden gems rather than flocking to the same spot that's been tagged a thousand times. One great location is Chino Hills State Park. As of mid-March, it already has some small patches of wildflowers scattered throughout. A full bloom is not yet confirmed, but keep an eye out.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is another great location and one that is often overlooked in favor of a more popular poppy field nearby. It's been a reliable hotspot in previous years, and while there are no blooms as of mid-March, it's worth checking in on. If you're booked up this spring or can't be bothered to wait, take a trip to the Palos Verdes Peninsula where wildflowers bloom year-round.